Drug Lord Raja Kandola Sentenced to Nine Years

Punjab-based drug lord Ranjit Singh Kandola, also known as Raja Kandola, was sentenced to nine years in prison, while his wife Rajwant Kaur received a three-year term for money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The sentencing follows a 2012 case in which narcotics worth Rs 200 crore were seized, leading to an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that revealed Kandola's involvement in a drug syndicate manufacturing 'Ice' and acquiring heroin from Pakistan. Despite previous acquittals in related cases, the court determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to convict them this time. Kandola was fined Rs 1 lakh, while Kaur was fined Rs 25,000. Their son, Bally Singh, was acquitted of all charges. The case highlights ongoing issues with drug trafficking and the legal challenges faced by enforcement agencies in Punjab.