A court in Gomati district on Monday sentenced a husband and wife to five years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) each in connection with a heroin seizure case.

The convicts, identified as Sahid Miah and Parbin Bibi, residents of Golmura under Kakraban Police Station, were found guilty under Sections 21(b) and 25 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The case was registered as SPL (NDPS) 15/2024, arising from Kakraban Police Station Case No. 101/2023. The judgment was delivered by the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Udaipur, Gomati district.

Under Section 21(b) of the NDPS Act, the court sentenced each of the accused to five years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹20,000. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional three months of rigorous imprisonment.

For the offence under Section 25, each was awarded another five years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000. In default of payment, they would have to undergo one month of simple imprisonment.

The court, however, directed that the sentences would run concurrently.

According to the prosecution, police received specific information regarding the alleged possession and sale of heroin and conducted a search at Sahid Miah’s residence in Hadra Golmura on December 31, 2023.

During the operation, police recovered 434 vials containing approximately eight grams of heroin from the premises. The seizure was carried out in the presence of independent witnesses and in accordance with the prescribed legal procedures.

Parbin Bibi, who was present at the residence during the search, was subsequently arrested. During the investigation, police claimed that she disclosed that she and her husband were involved in the illegal sale of heroin.

After completing the investigation, police filed a chargesheet against the couple. Following examination of the prosecution evidence and arguments from both sides, the court held the accused guilty and pronounced the sentences under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.

The investigation was conducted by Sub-Inspector Ashit Chandra Das of Kakraban Police Station, who is currently posted with the Udaipur Traffic Unit.