A Delhi court has recently acquitted 3 women Anju, Lalita, and Monika who were accused of possessing 12 grams of smack, an opioid drug, ruling that no narcotics were present in the recovered samples.
The decision was made by Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gauba Mann during a hearing of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances case.
The women were arrested by the IP Estate police on May 4, 2017, near the Delhi Gate Metro Station, following a tip-off. However, on October 28, the court highlighted significant flaws in the police investigation, labeling it as “defective.” The judge noted that the recovery process lacked the participation of an independent public witness, which is crucial for ensuring transparency.
Furthermore, there was no CCTV footage available from the scene of the alleged crime.
The court found that the amount recovered was just above the “small quantity” threshold but emphasized the absence of any evidence linking the women to narcotics. Referring to a forensic report, the judge confirmed that no narcotic drugs or tranquilizers were found in the exhibits presented by the prosecution.
In her ruling, Judge Mann stated, “So the NDPS provisions could not be invoked against the accused. This erodes the credibility of the entire prosecution case.” She concluded that there was no incriminating evidence against the defendants and that the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The acquittal highlights the importance of proper procedures in narcotics investigations, including the need for independent witnesses and reliable evidence. This case serves as a reminder of the legal standards required to uphold justice and protect individuals’ rights.
