Principal Sessions Judge (Special Judge) Leh, Manoj Parihar, delivered two landmark verdicts recently in cases involving major drug trafficking and child sexual abuse, sending a firm message of zero tolerance against serious crimes in Ladakh.

In a significant NDPS case, Dhoni Chand, a resident of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, was convicted for trafficking 8.19 kg of Charas. Acting on credible intelligence, a police team led by then-SHO Inspector Stanzin Dorjey intercepted the accused en route from Manali to Leh. The court sentenced him to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a ₹1 lakh fine, with an additional 6 months’ imprisonment in default.

This conviction resulted from a focused, evidence-based prosecution led by Assistant Public Prosecutor Nawang Nurbu, whose skill and diligence ensured a strong case. The accused was defended by Advocate Mohd Shafi.

Earlier, on March 6, 2025, the same court convicted Muzzafar Ali of Chushot Yokma for the sexual abuse of a minor, sentencing him to 12 years under the J&K Protection of Children from Sexual Violence Act plus 5 years under the RPC, with both sentences to run concurrently. The 437-page verdict, delivered after nearly five years of relentless judicial effort, is being hailed as a landmark ruling in Ladakh’s legal history.

These consecutive convictions underscore the strength, integrity, and sensitivity of Ladakh’s judicial system. The exemplary advocacy of APP Nawang Nurbu is widely praised as a model of public service and legal excellence.

Together, these verdicts reinforce public trust in the rule of law and demonstrate Ladakh’s uncompromising stance against grave offenses.