Dimapur, June 18 (EMN): The Court of District and Session Judge, Phek, on June 17 convicted two accused persons namely Khapelo Sarah and Vecukho Rhakho for illegally possessing and transporting ganja weighing 450 kg. The court has awarded 15 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of INR two lakh each to the convicts under the NDPS Act.
The case dates back to May 30, 2018, where the officer-in-charge received a report that a huge quantity of ganja was kept in a house of the accused Khapelo Sarah at Lewoza village in Phek district. On receiving the information, a team of police under the supervision of SDPO, Pfutsero, rushed to the spot and informed the house owner about the right to be searched before a gazette officer. The team, on searching the house, found huge quantity of ganja stored in 45 plastic bags each bag weighing 10 kg of ganja whereby the house owner was arrested.
As per the statement given by Solhou, wife of the accused, they allowed the items to be kept in the house upon the request of the co-accused namely Vecukho Rhakho, who later surrendered himself before the police.
Altogether, three persons were charged U/S 20 (b) (ii) (c) of the NDPS Act 1985 R/W Section 109 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code for conspiracy and for possession of ganja. However, they were acquitted for charges U/S 109, while in the absence of enough and reliable evidences, one accused namely Khrowepeu was acquitted of all the sections.
The judge has appreciated the assistant sub-inspector, Selu Koza, for his prompt action with regard to the case as a result of which helped the state government to curb the menace of drug abuse. The judge also recommended the state government to adequately reward the inspector for impeccably discharging his duties as a police officer in punishing the wrongdoers.
The judgment was pronounced in the Court of District and Session Court, Phek, by Mezivolu T Therieh (NJS), session judge Phek. The case was represented on behalf of the state by Samuel Ritse, government pleader-cum-public prosecutor, and Vethothi Vero, advocate, defended the accused persons.