50 Heroin Packets Found Hidden in an Eyeglass Case; ₹30,000 Fine Retained
Ranchi, October 29, 2026: The Jharkhand High Court has granted relief to Mohini Devi, alias Mohini Sharma, a 66-year-old widow convicted in a heroin possession case. The court reduced her prison sentence to the period she has already served, approximately one year and three months. It directed that she be released from jail immediately, provided she is not wanted in any other case. However, the fine of ₹30,000 imposed by the lower court, along with the provision of three months of additional simple imprisonment in case of non-payment, has been upheld.
Justice Rajesh Kumar passed the order on Thursday while hearing Criminal Appeal (SJ) No. 806/2026.
Heroin Hidden in an Eyeglass Case
According to the case details, on July 10, 2025, police recovered 50 packets of heroin from Mohini Devi’s house. The total weight of the seized substance was reported to be 10.10 grams. The heroin had been concealed inside an eyeglass case. The woman did not possess valid documents authorising her possession of the narcotic substance.
The case was registered under Sukhdeonagar Police Station Case No. 359/2025 in Ranchi under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. After completing the investigation, the police filed a charge sheet. During the trial, the woman admitted her guilt.
Lower Court Had Awarded Three Years and Two Months of Imprisonment
On February 26, 2026, the court of the Additional Judicial Commissioner-XVII convicted Mohini Devi under Sections 21(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act. She was sentenced to three years and two months of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹30,000. The lower court also ordered three months of additional simple imprisonment in case of non-payment of the fine.
Defence Argued That the Sentence Was Excessive
Appearing for the woman before the High Court, advocate Vijayant Verma did not challenge her conviction but sought a reduction in the period of imprisonment.
Referring to Section 32B of the NDPS Act, the defence argued that the woman was approximately 66 years old and a widow. It also submitted that although the lower court’s judgment mentioned her alleged criminal history, it did not specify any case number or provide other supporting details.
The defence further argued that the quantity of heroin recovered was only slightly above the prescribed threshold for a small quantity.
High Court Grants Relief After Considering Relevant Circumstances
The High Court observed that the lower court had not adequately considered the woman’s age, status as a widow, the quantity of the seized narcotic substance and other relevant circumstances while determining her sentence.
Taking these factors into account, the High Court reduced her imprisonment to the period already served, approximately one year and three months. The court retained the fine of ₹30,000 and disposed of the appeal.
The court directed that the woman be released immediately, provided she is not required in connection with any other case.
