A Delhi court has sentenced a man to three years and two months rigorous imprisonment for possessing 20 kg of pseudoephedrine.
The man, however, has been set free as he had undergone more than three years of imprisonment during the trial of the case.
Also, the punishment is seven years less that the minimum sentence provided under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for the offence.
Additional Sessions Judge Shail Jain awarded Kishan Pal a lenient punishment, allowing a submission by his counsel that the man is 50 years old and has to look after his wife and two minor children. It was also submitted that this was his first offence.
Though the public prosecutor argued for the maximum sentence, the plea was not allowed.
“Considering the age and family circumstances of the convict, that he is the sole bread-earner of the family coupled with the fact that the convict is not involved in any other similar matter, I am of the opinion that one opportunity to mend his ways must be given,” the Judge said.
“I am of the opinion that ends of justice would be served if the convict Kishan Pal is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years and two months…,” the Judge added. The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police had arrested Kishan Pal in Chandni Chowk.
The court showed leniency after it was told that the convict was a 50-year-old and had a wife and two minor children to look after
