Court sentences man to five years in drug case

THE GOAN NETWORK

PANAJI

The Additional Sessions Judge, North Goa has sentenced 38-year-old Vinod Chawan to five years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 in a drug peddling case. While delivering the verdict, the Court struck a balance between deterrence and personal challenges faced by the accused.

Chawan, a native of Maharashtra residing in Campal, was convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, after the trial that lasted nearly eight years. As per the case details, Panaji police arrested him on November 11, 2017, for possessing 1.10 kg of Ganja valued at Rs 1.10 lakh approx. A total of nine witnesses were examined with forensic evidence submitted as scientific proof.

During arguments on sentencing, defense counsel pleaded for leniency citing that this was Chawan’s first conviction. He submitted to the court that Chawan was the sole earning member of his family and belonged to an economically weaker section.

“This is the first offense of the accused and he has not been convicted prior and is the only breadwinner in the family having a wife and children. The substance seized from the accused is slightly above a small quantity and the accused is coming from a weaker section of the society. Hence leniency be shown,” the lawyer stated.

However, the prosecution countered stating that the NDPS Act was enacted to combat a serious societal threat, particularly to the youth. The Public Prosecutor urged the court to impose the maximum penalty of 10 years while also pointing out that another charge sheet – involving similar allegations - against Chawan is pending trial before the Sessions Court in Panaji.

While pronouncing the sentence, Judge Joshi conceded the gravity of the offense but also took into account the family circumstances and the quantity involved. “Considering the fact that the accused is the only breadwinner and the quantity is just above small quantity, the sentence should serve as a deterrent,” the court stated.

Chawan’s sentence includes a set-off for the time he already spent in custody – eight months and eight days from November 11, 2017 to July 19, 2018. In case of default in payment of the fine, the convict will have to undergo an additional six months of imprisonment.