Mumbai court sentences three drug peddlers to two years in prison after 17-year trial

A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday convicted three men for drug peddling, sentencing them to a lenient two years of imprisonment. The ruling comes 17 years after the initial arrest of the three individuals.

In handing down the sentence, the special court chose to show leniency to the convicts. The court noted that the three men had endured a prolonged criminal prosecution lasting nearly two decades.

According to the court, the convicts did not attempt to evade the trial during the 17-year period. Additionally, they did not misuse their liberty while the legal proceedings were ongoing.

Alongside the two-year prison term, the special court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 on the convicted individuals.

The decision highlights the court's consideration of the impact of delayed trials. By opting for a two-year prison term instead of a harsher penalty, the court acknowledged the strain of the 17-year prosecution that the men had already undergone.