In A First, Odisha Court Convicts Juvenile In Drugs Seizure Case; Check The Penalties

Bhubaneswar: In a first, a court in Odisha convicted a juvenile in a two-year-old narcotic drugs seizure case and pronounced penalties for the offender.

The Court of Juvenile Justice Board, Khurda, on Friday convicted the juvenile under Section 21(c) NDPS Act, 1985, and sent him to Special Home, Berhampur, for a period of three years for the offence, with direction to provide reformative services including education, skill development, counselling, behaviour modification therapy, psychiatric support, and treatment during this period.

The case is related to seizure of contraband brown sugar weighing 1.268 kg in 2021.

On August 12, 2021, Bhubaneswar STF had apprehended three persons, including the juvenile, with 1.268 kg brown sugar and other incriminating articles near Khurda bus stand. They were caught while they were dealing with brown sugar for their pecuniary gain, an STF release said on Saturday.

Following investigation into the case, the STF submitted a chargesheet against the accused persons under Section 21(c)/29 NDPS Act, 1985. The seized brown sugar was also sent to SFSL, Rasulgarh, for chemical examination and opinion was received affirmatively.

During the trial, the persecution had examined 11 witnesses and 44 documents, it added.