SANDRIKA PRASAD SAH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned Senior Standing Counsel for the DRI.

(2.) By filing this interlocutory application, the sole appellant is seeking suspension of his sentence and release on bail during pendency of the appeal.

(3.) The appellant has been convicted vide judgment dtd. 20/12/2023 and sentenced vide order dtd. 22/12/2023 by learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge, East Champaran, Motihari in connection with NDPS Case No. 07 of 2019/CIS No. 07 of 2019 arising out of DRI Case No. 718(II)01- Seizure/MRU-2019/31 for the offences punishable under Ss. 20(b)(ii)(C), 23(c) and 25 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short 'NDPS Act '). He has been ordered to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 18 years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,00,000.00 for the offence under Sec. 20(b)(ii)(C) of the NDPS Act and in case of default of payment of fine, he has to further undergo sentence of one year rigorous imprisonment. For the sake of brevity, the sentences awarded under other Sec. are not mentioned. All the sentences have been ordered to run concurrently.