Law: Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997

Section: 9(1)

Law: Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898

Section: 342,240(2),173,382-B

Law: Qanun-e-Shahadat (10 of 1984)

Section: 151(3)

Summary of Judgment in Criminal Appeal No. 448 of 2023

Case Background:
Muhammad Waseem, son of Ghulam Yasin, was tried by the Additional Sessions Judge/Special Court (CNSA) in Lodhran under Section 9(1), Entry No.3(c) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 (CNSA) in FIR No. 418/2023, registered on 06.03.2023 at PS Saddar, Lodhran. He was accused of possessing 2,120 grams of charas.

Trial Court Conviction:
On 19.10.2023, the trial court convicted him under Section 9(1)3-C of CNSA, 1997, sentencing him to 9 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100,000. In default of payment, he was to serve an additional 6 months of simple imprisonment. He was granted the benefit of Section 382-B of the Cr.P.C.

Appeal & Defense Argument:
Waseem appealed against his conviction (Criminal Appeal No. 448/2023), claiming false implication, discrepancies in prosecution evidence, and contradictions in witness statements.