Special NDPS Judge M K Nagpal convicted 21-year-old Ajay for the offence under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and awarded him the minimum sentence of ten years prescribed for the offence, considering his young age and poor financial condition.
The judge also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on him for carrying "huge quantity" of the contraband substance in a car with co-accused Banti, who was absconding.
"Keeping in view the young age and poverty of Ajay, he is being awarded the minimum sentence of rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and a fine of Rs one lakh for the offence," the judge said, adding the prosecution has succeeded in proving the guilt of Ajay.
It was a chance recovery and the narcotics cell had not received any tip-off regarding the men carrying drugs. The police was doing routine patrolling when the duo was caught carrying the banned substance in their car.
The police also said that Ajay, who was driving the car, admitted carrying 161 kg of drugs and later stated that he was doing it on Banti's instructions.
The court rejected Ajay's contention, saying that there was no material on record to prove it.
"The quantity of ganja recovered in this case is a very huge quantity and the same could not have been planted by the police officials upon Ajay from their own pocket..."
Ajay had sought leniency from court on the grounds that he was young, unmarried and poor. While his mother and sister had died, his father had re-married, he said.