12 and 10 years imprisonment in 193 kg ganja recovery case, historic verdict of Asansol court

In the industrial hub and commercial city of Asansol, the court delivered a historic and exemplary verdict against a drug trafficking racket. Today, on October 7, 2026, the Hon'ble Judge of the Special Court under the NDPS Act-cum-Additional District and Sessions Judge, 3rd Court of Asansol, Paschim Bardhaman, sentenced three accused individuals to rigorous imprisonment and fines in a very significant drug case. The stringent punishment was announced after they were convicted under Sections 20(b)(ii)(C), 25, and 29 of the stringent NDPS Act of 1985, which legal experts believe will instill deep fear among drug traffickers in the region. The trial was completed based on Asansol North Police Station Case No. 365/2023 (dated: 04.09.2023). Completing the judicial process in less than three years, the court pronounced separate sentences for the accused in this case. Accused No. 1, Ruby Patra alias Susmita Pradhan, has been sentenced to 10 (ten) years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs. 1,00,000 (one lakh), with an additional 6 (six) months of Simple Imprisonment (SI) in default. Furthermore, considering the severity of the crime and their active role in the syndicate, Accused No. 2, Bulu Mahanta, and Accused No. 3, Kritibas Patra, have been handed even harsher punishments of 12 (twelve) years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs. 1,00,000 (one lakh) each, with an additional 6 (six) months of Simple Imprisonment in default. Notably, in September 2023, a special team of West Bengal Police made a stunning breakthrough by conducting a massive raid in the Asansol North police station area. During that operation, more than 193 kg of illegal cannabis was seized, which had a market value of lakhs of rupees. Following the recovery of this massive quantity of narcotics, the police suo motu registered an anti-drug trafficking case. This raid was conducted acting on a tip-off from intelligence sources. The investigation process of this sensational case was conducted with utmost professionalism and precision. Sub-Inspector (SI) Subhas Banerjee served as the first Investigating Officer (IO) of this case, and later, realizing the importance of the case, the second Investigating Officer, Sub-Inspector (SI) Shyamal Chatterjee, took over the responsibility and completed the investigation by filing a comprehensive chargesheet. It was solely on the basis of this joint effort by the police administration and concrete evidence that the court was able to prove the crime against the accused. According to lawyers, the judiciary's strict and uncompromising stance against the rising drug trade in the state at present is highly significant in building a society and saving the misled young generation from destruction. Today's verdict by the Asansol court sent a very strong message against drug smugglers and syndicates. According to conscious citizens, if such speedy trials and strict punishments are ensured, these types of anti-social crimes will decrease significantly in the coming days. The role of the police and the court's verdict in maintaining law and order in the industrial belt and saving the youth from the clutches of drugs have been praised by all quarters.