20-year RI for smuggling hemp

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Aug 3 (UNI) A special court here has sentenced four people to rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine on them in separate cases on the charge of smuggling hemp.

According to prosecution, 260 kg hemp was seized from a car on May 21, 2007, and Shaqueel Ahmed (33) and Jaipal Singh Netam (22) were arrested.

On the basis of their interrogation, 800 kg hemp was seized from a restaurant. Both were sentenced to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs two lakh each.

In a separate case, Ashfaq (28) and Javed (18) were sentenced to 15-year rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1.5 lakh each on the charge of possessing hemp. Both were found conveying one quintal hemp on the same day.

Special Judge M D Jagdalla delivered the verdict in both cases yesterday.

UNI XC-PS AKJ AS1916