Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Apr 17: The District Special Principal and Sessions Court in Mangaluru has sentenced a man to five years of rigorous imprisonment for attempting to sell ganja in a case dating back to 2009.

The convict, T E Joseph (42), a resident of Charmadi in Beltangady, was caught on March 8, 2009, at Ujire Rathabeedi. He was found in possession of 1.500 kg of prohibited ganja, valued at approximately Rs 50,000. Following the incident, a case was registered at the Beltangady police station under sections 8(c) and 20(b) of the NDPS Act.

Court verdict and penalty

Judge Basavaraj, presiding over the District Special Principal and Sessions Court, declared Joseph guilty on April 10, 2026, and pronounced the sentence on April 16.

The court imposed the following penalties:

• Under Section 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act: Five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. In case of failure to pay the fine, the convict must undergo an additional two months of rigorous imprisonment.

• Under Section 32-B(f) of the NDPS Act: One year of rigorous imprisonment.

Investigation and legal representation

The then Sub-Inspector of Beltangady station, B G Subbapurmath, led the investigation and submitted the final report with comprehensive evidence. Government prosecutor Judith Olga Margaret Crasta represented the state and effectively argued the case, leading to the conviction.