Three-Month Jail for Cannabis Use

A mobile court in the Abhaynagar area of Jashore district has sentenced a young man to three months’ imprisonment for consuming and storing cannabis. The court also imposed a monetary fine of 500 taka after the allegations were proven during an on-the-spot hearing conducted by the local administration.

The convicted individual, identified as Raju Mallik, aged 32, is a resident of Chalishia village under Chalishia Union in Abhaynagar upazila. He is the son of Hasan Mallik of the same village. According to local authorities, he was apprehended during a late-night drive aimed at curbing illegal narcotics use and possession in the area.

The operation took place shortly after midnight on Saturday. Officials from the local administration, acting on confidential information, conducted a raid in Chalishia village. During the operation, Raju Mallik was reportedly found consuming cannabis and possessing the substance. Following his arrest, a mobile court was convened at the scene.

The court was presided over by Sheikh Salauddin Dipu, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate of Abhaynagar. After examining the available evidence and considering the circumstances, the magistrate delivered an immediate verdict. Raju Mallik was sentenced to three months’ simple imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of 500 taka. In the event of failure to pay the fine, additional legal measures may be enforced according to the law.

Subrata Kumar Roy, the court assistant attached to the mobile court, confirmed that the operation began around midnight on Saturday. He stated that the drive was part of a broader initiative by the local administration to control the growing problem of drug abuse in rural communities. Acting on prior intelligence, officials targeted the location in Chalishia village where the suspect was believed to be involved in cannabis consumption.

Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Magistrate Sheikh Salauddin Dipu emphasised that the punishment was imposed under the Narcotics Control Act of 2018. Specifically, the penalty was issued in accordance with Section 36(1), serial provision 21 of the law, which addresses the unlawful consumption and possession of cannabis and other narcotic substances.

He further noted that the government maintains a strict policy against narcotics and that mobile court operations are regularly conducted to enforce the law at the local level. According to the magistrate, such initiatives are essential to discourage drug use and protect communities, particularly younger generations, from the harmful consequences of substance abuse.

Drug abuse remains a persistent concern in several rural regions of the country, where enforcement agencies frequently conduct anti-narcotics drives. Authorities believe that swift legal action through mobile courts serves as an effective deterrent against minor drug offences and helps maintain public order.

Local residents have reportedly welcomed the administration’s action, expressing hope that continued enforcement will reduce the prevalence of drug use in the community. Community leaders have also called for greater awareness programmes alongside law enforcement efforts to address the root causes of drug addiction.

Below is a summary of the key details of the case:

Officials have indicated that similar operations will continue across the upazila as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate narcotics from local communities and ensure compliance with national drug control laws.