Nikku Khan @
Mohammadeen Vs. State of Haryana
J U D G M E N T
SIRPURKAR,J.
1.
Appellant
Nikku Khan @ Mohammadeen, who has been convicted by both the courts below for the
offence punishable under Section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Phychotropic
Substance Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") and sentenced
to undergo rigorous imprisonment for twelve years and to pay a fine of Rs. one lakh,
in default of payment of fine to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for two
years, is before us in this appeal.
2.
The
prosecution case, in brief, is that on 1.6.2003 at 12.30 p.m., ASI Gopi Chand along
with other police officials was on patrol duty at Nohar road, Ellenabad when he
received a secret information that the accused-appellant, who was indulged in a
trade of smack, was likely to arrive in a Maruti Car and narcotic could be
recovered from him. On receipt of this information, ASI, Gopi Chand issued notice
under Section 41 of the Act and sent the same to the Deputy Superintendent of
Police, Ellenabad. Thereafter, he held a picket at Nohar Road. When the accused
arrived in Maruti Case bearing No. DAJ 4223 he was stopped and after serving a notice
under Section 50 of the Act, he was searched in presence of Deputy Superintendent
of Police, Ellenabad and heroin weighing 740 grams was recovered from his
person.
3.
After
completion of investigation the accused was sent for trial and both the trial court
as well as the High Court has held that the accused was found in possession of 740
grams of heroin.
4.
We
have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the evidence
as well as the judgments of the courts below.
5.
We
do not think that there is anything to dispute regarding the recovery of
contraband from the accused on the relevant date. The prosecution has been able
to prove that the accused was in possession of the contraband which was
recovered from his person. It is also proved that the contraband was heroin.
6.
We
do not wish to interfere with the conviction awarded by the trial court and
affirmed by the High Court. However, insofar as the sentence is concerned, Mr. R.K.
Kapoor, learned counsel appearing for the appellant states that the percentage of
the concentration was 16.93%. Mr. Kapoor, therefore, points out that the quantity
of heroin recovered from the accused virtually comes to 125 grams.
7.
We
have seen the Notification specifying small quantity and commercial quantity under
Section 2 of the Act wherein at serial No. 56, the commercial quantity of heroin
is prescribed as 250 grams. Therefore, it is clear that the quantity of heroin which
was recovered from the appellant was less than the commercial quantity as prescribed
under the Act.
8.
In
that view, the law laid in E.Micheal Raj Vs. Intelligence Office, Narcotic Control
Bureau 2008 (5) SCC 161 shall apply to the present case. We, therefore, hold that
the accused is liable to be convicted under Section 21(b) and not under Section
21(c) of the Act as, on the relevant date, he was found in possession of 125
grams of heroin which is less than the commercial quantity as prescribed under
the Act. The maximum punishment prescribed for the offence under Section 21(b)
of the Act is rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years and
with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.
9.
Keeping
in view the facts and the circumstances of the present case, while affirming the
impugned judgment passed by the High Court insofar as conviction of the appellant
is concerned, we convert the conviction of the appellant from Section 21(c) to
21(b) of the Act and reduce the sentence of the accused from rigorous
imprisonment for twelve years to ten years. The sentence of fine and default shall
remain unaltered.
10.
The
appeal stands disposed of accordingly.
...................J.
(V.S.SIRPURKAR)
....................J.
(T.S.THAKUR)
New
Delhi,
July
21, 2011
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