Special Court (ND&PS), Manipur, W Tonen Meitei on Monday sentenced a couple to 12 years' rigorous imprisonment with fine. The couple was convicted in November.
The convicts have been identified as one Sougaijam Robindro, 28, son of Ibotombi of Kakching district and his wife Lalrozami Duhlian, 27, daughter of Chalmawii Duhlian of Tengnoupal district. They were arrested by a combined team of Narcotic and Drug Affairs (NAB) and Tengnoupal police, following the arrest of retired DSP of Manipur Md Abdul Latif, in connection with the smuggling of a large consignment of synthetic drugs on May 6, 2018.
During the sentence hearing, special public prosecutor submitted to award the couple with maximum sentence. It was submitted that the offence under section 22(c) of ND&PS Act punishment should be 20-year rigorous imprisonment with a fine of one lakh, and 10-year rigorous imprisonment with one lakh fine for the offence of 21(b) of the Act.
The counsel of the convicted couple pleaded for a minimum sentence as Lalrozami Duhlian is only 27-year-old and she is three-month pregnant while also being a mother to a minor child of six years. The counsel further submitted that both Lalrozami Duhlian and her husband Robindro are first time offenders.
The court examined a provision under section 360CrPC, providing order to release on probation of good conduct or after admonition. The court observed that it was not applicable to both convicts as the period of the sentence is not less than 10 years under section 2(c) of ND&PS Act, 1985.
The court after hearing the submissions and examining the sections to release on probation, concluded to sentence rigorous imprisonment of 12 years.
The court order stated that Lalrozami Duhlian is awarded seven-year rigorous imprisonment with fine of Rs 50, 000 for the offence of section 21(b) of ND&PS Act, 1985 and also awarded with 12 years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs one lakh for the offence of section 22(c) of the act. Both the period of the sentence should run concurrently with regard to Lalrozami Duhlian, it stated.
Further, Sougaijam Robindro is awarded 12 years rigorous imprisonment with one lakh fine for the offence of section 29 read with section 21(b), 22(c) of the act, 1985, it added.
Considering that Lalrozami Duhlian is three-month pregnant, the jail authority has been directed to provide adequate care, the order mentioned.
It stated that the fine should be paid within six months, failing which both the convicts should undergo another period of six months. And the period of which the convicts spent in the jail should be set off from the period of detention, the court order stated.
It further directed to dispose of all the contraband drugs and psychotropic substances according to law after the expiry of the appeal period.
