The court of Special Sessions Judge (NDPS Act) Anuj Kumar Sangal in Champawat sentenced Govind Singh and Sundar Singh, both residents of Digalichaud in Lohaghat block, to rigorous imprisonment for smuggling charas, a cannabis resin.[1] Govind Singh was sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a ₹1 lakh fine, with 10 more months in prison if the fine is not paid.[1] Sundar Singh was sentenced to nine years’ rigorous imprisonment and a ₹90,000 fine, with nine more months if the fine is not paid.[1]

The case began in September 2022, when a police team was checking vehicles on the Tanakpur–Champawat road near Kiroda nullah.[1] Two young men walking along the road ran when they saw the police, and the officers chased, surrounded and caught them.[1] A search found 900 g of charas on Sundar Singh and 980 g on Govind Singh.[2] The total was 1,880 g, or 1.88 kg.[3] Police registered a case against both under the NDPS Act, India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.[2] The court convicted them after examining the prosecution’s evidence and its witnesses’ statements, and then imposed the separate terms and fines.[1]