GHULAM MURTAZA Versus State

1. ASIF SAEED KHAN KHOSA, J.--- While hearing Criminal Appeal No. 284-J of 2008 involving alleged recovery of some narcotic substance from the possession of the appellants therein a Division Bench of this Court comprising of one of us, i.e. Tariq Shamim, J. and Parvaiz Ali Chawla, J. passed the following order on 4-3-2009:--

2. "In the instant case suo motu notice was issued by us to the appellant as the learned trial court had sentenced him to two years' imprisonment in terms of section 9(c) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, which, in our view, is meager and not commensurate with the sentence provided under the law. We have noticed this problem in a number of cases. In view thereof, we refer this matter to the honourable Chief Justice for constitution of a larger Bench in the last week of March, 2009, if deemed appropriate, so that a uniform sentencing policy could be formulated in cases of narcotics for the guidance of the trial courts."

3. On the basis of that Reference made by the Division Bench the Hon'ble Chief Justice was pleased to constitute the present Full Bench for the purpose of formulating a sentencing policy for cases involving recovery of contraband narcotic substances under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997.

2. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties at some length and have pondered and mulled over the issue from diverse angles including legal, social and economic perspectives.

3. The quintessence of the civilization's evolution and growth in the legal field is a progression from dispensation of justice according to the principle of "justice, equity and good conscience" to "justice according to the law". The rationale or raison d'etre for this momentum, quite easy to discern and comprehend, is that justice ought not to be administered according to the whims, caprice or subjective standards of an individual Judge but it should be dispensed according to some codified or stipulated standards so as to render the outcome consistent and reasonably predictable. Predictability of judicial response to an action or inaction of a person is important because, by and large, people living in a community adapt or mould their conduct keeping in view the law of the land and a probable judicial reaction to their actions or inactions. The essence, therefore, is that, proverbially speaking, justice should not vary with the size of the Chancellor's foot but a person inviting a legal intervention into his conduct should be able to appreciate in advance as to how he is likely to be treated by a Judge dealing with application of the relevant law to that person's conduct. Uniformity and standardization of judicial response to similar legal situations cannot, thus, be overemphasized.

4. Of late it has been noticed by this Court that in the matter of passing sentences in cases of recovery of contraband narcotic substances under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 different Judges, both at the trial and the appellate stages, have been passing sentences upon convicts placed in similar situations which sentences are quite often hideously variable as they oscillate and fluctuate between unduly lenient and grossly oppressive. Such discrepant and vacillating judicial responses to similar situations not only give rise to confusion and uncertainty but they also encourage unscrupulous litigants and lawyers to try to shop for a suitable Judge.

5. We have carried out a survey of all the cases reported in various Law Reports/Journals of the country to find out the sentencing trends of different courts and Judges in cases involving recovery of contraband narcotic substances under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 and the information gathered through the said survey shows, and shows quite strikingly, that the sentencing trends in cases of recovery of contraband narcotic substances vary quite sharply and judicial responses in that regard differ quite drastically even in situations which may be similar, if not identical. Such variable approaches clearly underscore the importance of uniformity and standardization in the matter of sentencing in this area and, thus, the efficacy and necessity of adopting a sentencing policy in that regard cannot be overstated.

6. The maximum sentences provided by the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 for different quantities of the recovered contraband narcotic substances are as follows:--

4. Section 9(a): (if the recovered quantity is 100 grams or less) Imprisonment upto 2 years or fine or both.

5. Section 9(b) : (if the recovered quantity exceeds 100 grams but does not exceed 1 kilogram)

6. Imprisonment upto 7 years and fine.

7. Section 9(c): (if the recovered quantity exceeds 1 kilogram)

8. Death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment upto 14 years and fine up to one million Rupees.

9. If the recovered quantity exceeds 10 kilograms then the sentence is not to be less than imprisonment for life.

10. It is conspicuously noticeable that the sentences provided for by the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 are prescribed with reference to quantity of the recovered contraband narcotic substance and not with reference to the kind or nature of the recovered contraband narcotic substance. Different kinds of contraband narcotic substances covered by the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 vary sharply in their harmful nature or dangerous effects as a huge quantity of one substance may be less harmful or dangerous than a small quantity of another substance. Thus, in many situations a sentencing approach based only upon quantity of the recovered substance may lead to unjust and oppressive results and to punishments which may be unduly cruel and harsh.

7. In the above mentioned backdrop, keeping in view the' accumulated judicial wisdom and experience and balancing the same with the interests of justice in the overall social and economic context, the following sentences are approved and prescribed as the normal and standard sentences for different quantities of various contraband narcotic substances recovered in connection with the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997:

11. Cases under Section 9(a) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997

12. Recovered Substance

13. Quantity

14. Normal Sentence

15. Bhang

16. Upto 30 grams

17. Imprisonment: SI for 3 months and Fine: Rs. 1,000 or in default SI for 15 days

18. Bhang

19. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

20. Imprisonment: SI for 6 months and Fine: Rs. 2,000 or in default SI for 1 month

21. Bhang

22. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

23. Imprisonment: SI for 9 months and Fine: Rs. 3,000 or in default SI for 1 month and 15 days

24. Poast

25. Upto 30 grams

26. Imprisonment: SI for 4 months and Fine: Rs. 1,500 or in default SI for 1 month

27. Poast

28. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

29. Imprisonment: SI for 7 months and Fine: Rs. 2,500 or in default SI for 1 month and 15 days

30. Poast

31. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

32. Imprisonment: SI for 10 months and Fine: Rs. 3,500 or in default SI for 2 months

33. Opium

34. Upto 30 grams

35. Imprisonment: SI for 5 months and Fine: Rs. 2,000 or in default SI for 1 month and 15 days

36. Opium

37. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

38. Imprisonment: SI for 8 months and Fine: Rs. 3,000 or in default SI for 2 months

39. Opium

40. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

41. Imprisonment: SI for 11 months and Fine: Rs. 4,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

42. Charas

43. Upto 30 grams

44. Imprisonment: RI for 6 months and Fine: Rs. 3,000 or in default SI for 2 months

45. Charas

46. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

47. Imprisonment: RI for 9 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

48. Charas

49. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

50. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 3 months

51. _ Heroin

52. Upto 30 grams

53. Imprisonment: RI for 7 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

54. Heroin

55. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

56. Imprisonment: RI for 10 months and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 3 months

57. Heroin

58. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

59. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 1 month and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

60. Cases under Section 9(b) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997

61. Recovered Substance

62. Quantity

63. Normal Sentence

64. Bhang

65. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

66. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and Fine: Rs. 4,000 or in default SI for 2 months

67. Bhang

68. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

69. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 3 months and Fine: Rs..5,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

70. Bhang

71. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

72. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 6,000 or in default SI for 3 months

73. Poast

74. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

75. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 1 month and Fine: Rs. 4,500 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

76. Poast

77. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

78. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 4 months and Fine: Rs. 5,500 or in default SI for 3 months

79. Poast

80. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

81. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 7 months and Fine: Rs. 6,500 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

82. Opium

83. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

84. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 2 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for 3 Months

85. Opium

86. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

87. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 5 months and Fine: Rs. 6,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

88. Opium

89. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

90. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year 8 months and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 4 months

91. Charas

92. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

93. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 3 months and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

94. Charas

95. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

96. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 4 months

97. Charas

98. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

99. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 9 months and Fine: Is. 13,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

100. Heroin

101. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

102. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 4 months and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 4 months

103. Heroin

104. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

105. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 7 months and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

106. Heroin

107. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

108. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 10 months and Fine: Rs. 15,000 or in default SI for 5 months

109. Cases under Section 9(c) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997

110. Recovered Substance

111. Quantity

112. Normal Sentence

113. Bhang

114. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

115. Imprisonment: RI for 2 years and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

116. Bhang

117. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

118. Imprisonment: RI for 3 years and Fine: Rs. 8,000 or in default SI for 4 months

119. Bhang

120. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

121. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

122. Bhang

123. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

124. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and Fine: Rs. 10,000 or in default SI for 5 months

125. Bhang

126. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

127. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

128. Bhang

129. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

130. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 12,000 or in default SI for 6 months

131. Bhang

132. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

133. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

134. Bhang

135. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

136. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 14,000 or in default SI for 7 months

137. Bhang

138. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilo rams

139. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 15,000 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

140. Bhang

141. More than 10 Kilograms

142. Imprisonment for life and Fine: Rs. 25,000 or in default SI for 1 year

143. Poast

144. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

145. Imprisonment: RI for 3 years and Fine: Rs. 7,500 or in default SI far 4 Months

146. Poast

147. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

148. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years and Fine: Rs. 8,500 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

149. Poast

150. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

151. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and Fine: Rs. 9,500 or in default SI for 5 months

152. Poast

153. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

154. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 10,500 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

155. Poast

156. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

157. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 11,500 or in default SI for 6 months

158. Poast

159. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

160. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 12,500 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

161. Poast

162. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

163. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 13,500 or in default SI for 7 months

164. Poast

165. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

166. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 14,500 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

167. Poast

168. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

169. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and Fine: Rs. 15,500 or in default SI for 8 months

170. Poast

171. More than 10 kilograms

172. Imprisonment for life and Fine: Rs. 30,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 4 months

173. Opium

174. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

175. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years and Fine: Rs. 8,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

176. Opium

177. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

178. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 5 months

179. Opium

180. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

181. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 10,000 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

182. Opium

183. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

184. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 6 months

185. Opium

186. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

187. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 12,000 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

188. Opium

189. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

190. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 7 months

191. Opium

192. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

193. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 14,000 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

194. Opium

195. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

196. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and Fine: Rs: 15,000 or in default SI for 8 months

197. Opium

198. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

199. Imprisonment: RI for 12 years and Fine: Rs. 16,000 or in default SI for 8 months and 15 days

200. Opium

201. More than 10 Kilograms

202. Imprisonment for life and Fine: Rs. 35,000 or in default SI for year and 6 months _1

203. Charas

204. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

205. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years 6 months and Fine: Rs. 20,000 or in default SI for 5 months

206. Charas

207. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

208. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 25,000 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

209. Charas

210. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

211. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 30,000 or in default SI for 6 months

212. Charas

213. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

214. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 35,000 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

215. Charas

216. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

217. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 40,000 or in default SI for 7 months

218. Charas

219. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

220. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 45,00Q or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

221. Charas

222. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

223. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 50,000 or in default SI for 8 months

224. Charas

225. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

226. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 55,000 or in default SI for 8 months and 15 days

227. Charas

228. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

229. Imprisonment: RI for 12 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 60,000 or in default SI for 9 months

230. Charas

231. More than 10 kilograms

232. Imprisonment for life or Death and Fine: Rs. 100,000 or in default SI for 1 year

233. Heroin

234. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

235. Imprisonment: RI for .6 years and Fine: Rs. 30,000 or in default SI for 6 months

236. Heroin

237. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

238. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 50,000 or in default SI for 7 months

239. Heroin

240. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

241. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 70,000 or in default SI for 8 months

242. Heroin

243. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms .

244. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 90,000 or in default SI for 9 months

245. Heroin

246. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

247. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 1,10,000 or in default SI for 10 months

248. Heroin

249. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

250. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and Fine: Rs. 1,30,000 or in default SI for 11 months

251. Heroin

252. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

253. Imprisonment: RI for 12 years and Fine: Rs. 1,50,000 or in default SI for 1 year

254. Heroin

255. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

256. Imprisonment: RI for 13 years and Fine: Rs. 1,70,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 1 month

257. Heroin

258. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

259. Imprisonment: RI for 14 years and Fine: Rs. 1,90,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 2 months

260. Heroin

261. More than 10 Kilograms

262. Imprisonment for life or Death and Fine: Rs. 3,00,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 6 months

8. The chart prepared above can also be arranged in the following manner:

263. Recovered Substance

264. Quantity

265. Normal Sentence

266. Bhang

267. Upto 30 grams

268. Imprisonment: SI for 3 months and Fine: Rs. 1,000 or in default SI lot 15 days

269. Bhang

270. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

271. Imprisonment: SI for 6 months and Fine: Rs. 2,000 or in default SI for 1 month

272. Bhang

273. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

274. Imprisonment: SI for 9 months and Fine: Rs. 3,000 or in default SI for 1 month and 15 days

275. Bhang

276. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

277. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and Fine: Rs. 4,000 or in default SI for 2 months

278. Bhang

279. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

280. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 3 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

281. Bhang

282. Exceeding 600 grains and upto 1000 grams

283. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 6,000 or in default SI for 3 months

284. _ Bhang

285. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

286. Imprisonment: RI for 2 years and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

287. Bhang

288. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

289. Imprisonment: RI for 3 years and Fine: Rs. 8,000 or in default SI for 4 months

290. Bhang

291. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

292. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

293. Bhang

294. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

295. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and Fine: Rs. 10,000 or in default SI for 5 months

296. Bhang

297. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

298. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

299. Bhang

300. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

301. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 12,000 or in default SI for 6 months

302. Bhang

303. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

304. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

305. Bhang

306. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

307. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 14,000 or in default SI for 7 months

308. Bhang

309. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

310. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 15,000 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

311. Bhang

312. More than 10 Kilograms

313. Imprisonment for life and Fine: Rs. 25,000 or in default SI for 1 year

314. Poast

315. Upto 30 grams

316. Imprisonment: SI for 4 months and Fine: Rs. 1,500 or in default SI for 1 month

317. Poast,

318. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

319. Imprisonment: SI for 7 months and Fine: Rs. 2,500 or in default SI for 1 month and 15 days

320. Poast

321. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

322. Imprisonment: SI for 10 months and Fine: Rs. 3,500 or in default SI for 2 months

323. Poast

324. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

325. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 1 month and Fine: Rs. 4,500 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

326. Poast

327. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

328. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 4 months and Fine: Rs. 5,500 or in default SI for 3 months

329. Poast

330. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

331. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 7 months and Fine: Rs. 6,500 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

332. Poast

333. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

334. Imprisonment: RI for 3 years and Fine: Rs. 7,500 or in default SI for 4 months

335. Poast

336. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

337. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years and Fine: Rs. 8,500 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

338. Poast

339. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

340. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and Fine: Rs. 9,500 or in default SI for 5 months

341. Poast

342. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

343. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 10,500 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

344. Poast

345. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

346. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 11,500 or in default SI for 6 months

347. Poast

348. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

349. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 12,500 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

350. Poast

351. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

352. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 13,500 or in default SI for 7 months

353. Poast

354. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

355. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 14,500 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

356. Poast

357. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

358. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and Fine: Rs. 15,500 or in default SI for 8 months

359. Poast

360. More than 10 Kilograms

361. Imprisonment for life and Fine: Rs. 30,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 4 months

362. Opium

363. Upto 30 grams

364. Imprisonment: SI for 5 months and Fine: Rs. 2,000 or in default SI for 1 month and 15 days

365. Opium

366. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

367. Imprisonment: SI for 8 months and Fine: Rs. 3,000 or in default SI for 2 months

368. Opium

369. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

370. Imprisonment: SI for 11 months and Fine: Rs. 4,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

371. Opium

372. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

373. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 2 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for 3 months

374. Opium

375. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

376. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 5 months and Fine: Rs. 6,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

377. Opium

378. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

379. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year 8 months and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 4 months

380. Opium

381. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

382. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years and Fine: Rs. 8,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

383. Opium

384. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

385. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 5 months

386. Opium

387. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

388. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 10,000 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

389. Opium

390. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

391. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 6 months

392. Opium

393. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

394. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 12,000 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

395. Opium

396. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

397. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 7 months

398. Opium

399. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

400. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 14,000 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

401. Opium

402. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

403. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and Fine: Rs. 15,000 or in default SI for 8 months

404. Opium

405. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

406. Imprisonment: RI for 12 years and Fine: Rs. 16,000 or in default SI for 8 months and 15 days

407. Opium

408. More than 10 Kilograms

409. Imprisonment for life and Fine: Rs. 35,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 6 months

410. Charas

411. Upto 30 grams

412. Imprisonment: RI for 6 months and Fine: Rs. 3,000 or in default SI for 2 months

413. Charas

414. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

415. Imprisonment: RI for 9 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for 2 months and 15 days

416. Charas

417. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

418. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for 3 months

419. Charas

420. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

421. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 3 months and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for 3 months and 15 days

422. Charas

423. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

424. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 4 months

425. Charas

426. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

427. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 9 months and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

428. Charas

429. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

430. Imprisonment: RI for 4 years 6 months and Fine: Rs. 20,000 or in default SI for 5 months

431. Charas

432. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

433. Imprisonment: RI for 5 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 25,000 or in default SI for 5 months and 15 days

434. Charas

435. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

436. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 30,000 or in default SI for 6 months

437. Charas

438. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

439. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 35,000 or in default SI for 6 months and 15 days

440. Charas

441. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

442. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 40,000 or in default SI for 7 months

443. Charas

444. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

445. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 45,000 or in default SI for 7 months and 15 days

446. Charas

447. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

448. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 50,000 or in default SI for 8 months

449. Charas

450. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

451. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 55,000 or in default SI for 8 months and 15 days

452. Charas

453. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

454. Imprisonment: RI for 12 years and 6 months and Fine: Rs. 60,000 or in default SI for 9 months

455. Charas

456. More than 10 kilograms

457. Imprisonment for life or Death and Fine: Rs. 1,00,000 or in default S for 1 year

458. Heroin

459. Upto 30 gram

460. Imprisonment: RI for 7 months and Fine: Rs. 5,000 or in default SI for months and 15 days

461. Heroin

462. Exceeding 30 grams and upto 60 grams

463. Imprisonment: RI for 10 months and Fine: Rs. 7,000 or in default SI for months

464. Heroin

465. Exceeding 60 grams and upto 100 grams

466. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and month and Fine: Rs. 9,000 or in default SI for months and 15 days

467. Heroin

468. Exceeding 100 grams and upto 300 grams

469. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and months and Fine: Rs. 11,000 or in default SI for 4 months

470. Heroin

471. Exceeding 300 grams and upto 600 grams

472. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and months and Fine: Rs. 13,000 or in default SI for 4 months and 15 days

473. Heroin

474. Exceeding 600 grams and upto 1000 grams

475. Imprisonment: RI for 1 year and 10 months and Fine: Rs. 15,000 or in default SI for 5 months

476. Heroin

477. Exceeding 1 kilogram and upto 2 kilograms

478. Imprisonment: RI for 6 years and Fine: Rs. 30,000 or in default SI for 6 months

479. Heroin

480. Exceeding 2 kilograms and upto 3 kilograms

481. Imprisonment: RI for 7 years and Fine: Rs. 50,000 or in default SI for 7 months

482. Heroin

483. Exceeding 3 kilograms and upto 4 kilograms

484. Imprisonment: RI for 8 years and Fine: Rs. 70,000 or in default SI for 8 months

485. Heroin

486. Exceeding 4 kilograms and upto 5 kilograms

487. Imprisonment: RI for 9 years and Fine: Rs. 90,000 or in default SI for 9 months

488. Heroin

489. Exceeding 5 kilograms and upto 6 kilograms

490. Imprisonment: RI for 10 years and Fine: Rs. 1,10,000 or in default SI for 10 months

491. Heroin

492. Exceeding 6 kilograms and upto 7 kilograms

493. Imprisonment: RI for 11 years and Fine: Rs. 1,30,000 or in default SI for 11 months

494. Heroin

495. Exceeding 7 kilograms and upto 8 kilograms

496. Imprisonment: RI for 12 years and Fine: Rs. 1,50,000 or in default SI for 1 year

497. Heroin

498. Exceeding 8 kilograms and upto 9 kilograms

499. Imprisonment: RI for 13 years and Fine: Rs. 1,70,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 1 month

500. Heroin

501. Exceeding 9 kilograms and upto 10 kilograms

502. Imprisonment: RI for 14 years and Fine: Rs. 1,90,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 2 months

503. Heroin

504. More than 10 kilograms

505. Imprisonment for life or Death and Fine: Rs. 3,00,000 or in default SI for 1 year and 6 months

9. As regards a previous convict, a woman and a child the following principles may be followed while sentencing them:

506. A previous convict is to be awarded 1/3'd more sentence of imprisonment, fine and sentence in default of payment of fine than the normal sentence prescribed above.

507. If the sentence of imprisonment against a previous convict calculated on the basis of the above principle exceeds the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed by the law then the convict is to be awarded the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed by the law and the fine to be imposed upon him and the sentence of imprisonment in default of payment of fine are to be double the fine and double the sentence of imprisonment in default of payment of fine prescribed as the normal sentence.

508. A woman and a child, because of their gender and tender age, are to be awarded 1/3rd less sentence of imprisonment, fine and sentence in default of payment of fine than the normal sentence prescribed above.

509. The sentence of imprisonment to be passed against a woman or a child is to be a sentence of simple imprisonment and the sentence of death may not be passed against them.

510. If a woman or a child is a previous convict then the sentence to be awarded is to be the same as for a male previous convict except that the sentence of imprisonment for a woman or a child is to be a sentence of simple imprisonment and the sentence of death may not be passed against them.

10. It goes without saying that in a particular case carrying some special features relevant to the matter of sentence a court may depart from the norms and standards prescribed above but in all such cases the Court concerned shall be obliged to record its reasons for such departure.

11. This Reference is answered and decided by us in the terms recorded above. The Office of this Court shall now fix the above mentioned appeal and the other connected matters before the appropriate Division Benches for their decision in accordance with the law.

12. The Office of this Court is directed to send a copy of this judgment to all the Judges of the Special Courts (Control of Narcotic Substances), Sessions Judges and Additional Sessions Judges in the Province of the Punjab for their information and guidance.

511. M.B.A./G-20/L Reference answered.