Bengaluru: A special court under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act sentenced three men from JJ Nagar to 14 years in prison for drug trafficking. The convicted individuals—Syed Yarab (24), Shabaz Khan (28), and Imran Pasha (22)—were also fined ₹1.5 lakh each. Another accused, Imran Khan (37), was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
The trio had been in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison since January 2023. Special Judge Vijaya Devaraja Urs, while delivering the verdict, remarked, “The accused were engaged in illegal drug trade, harming the younger generation. Given the severity of the crime, the court deems a 14-year rigorous imprisonment appropriate.” If they fail to pay the fine, they will face an additional year of simple imprisonment.
On January 2, 2023, police apprehended the three men at a playground in Chamarajpet with 1 kg of ganja, 22 LSD strips, and 25 grams of methamphetamine and ketamine, allegedly meant for students and youth. The fourth accused, Khan, was later arrested but acquitted as no contraband was found at his residence.
Public prosecutor KV Ashwath Narayana noted that over 15 witnesses testified during the trial. Despite two independent witnesses partially turning hostile, their cross-examinations strengthened the prosecution’s case, leading to the convictions.
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