Singapore national acquitted of charge of carrying 7 kg drug
The court observed that the Narcotics Control Bureau officials, who had arrested Lee Wei Qi, a resident of Singapore, had given "contradictory" and "discrepant" statements before it regarding the sampling procedure of the seized article.
"However, despite having come to a conclusion that the baggage retrieved by the NCB officials at the airport belonged to the accused only, in the considered opinion of this court, the accused still cannot be convicted and will have to be given the benefit of doubt in view of the judicial dicta laid down by the Supreme Court...," Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga said.
It alleged that on the basis of the information, a raiding team was constituted and NCB officials reached at the check-in counter of the airport and found the accused had checked in his baggage and was filling up some form there.
Lee's bag was seized by the officials and during search, dark brown material was found concealed in the bottom of his bag, it claimed, adding that on being tested, it was found that the material was 'charas' and the accused was arrested.
During the trial, the accused claimed the bag from which NCB was showing the recovery did not belong to him and he was forced to admit his guilt by the officials in the NCB office.