Briefly Mumbai

Court to decide if seized drugs can be tested twice
The question whether seized drug samples can be tested twice has come under the Bombay High Court scanner. Manpreet Bal (35),an Indian-born Canadian,had sought quashing of a complaint against him under the NDPS Act,1985,on the grounds that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) cannot test a seized drug sample twice. Bal’s lawyer contented that there was no provision under which the NCB can send the samples for examination to CFSL under the NDPS Act or the rules issued by the NCB,Delhi. He said only a court can direct to re-examine the samples. The court will hear the case on February 4.

Two acquitted of murder charges
A sessions court acquitted a father-son duo who had been charged with the murder of a senior citizen in Warden Road,South Mumbai. Lajwanti Chughani (68) was allegedly stabbed to death in 2008 at her Sukhmani Building residence. The victim’s maid had informed the Gamdevi police of the incident. Robbery was said to be the motive behind the crime. Defence advocate Abdul Wahab Khan argued that a key witness had not been produced in court. The prosecution had closed its case after examining ten witnesses. Khan also pointed out contradictions in evidence on the seizure of booty from the two accused,which the prosecution failed to satisfy.

Youth hangs self at Kandivali home
A 21-year-old youth allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his home in Kandivali on Tuesday morning. The Samta Nagar police said they didn’t find any suicide note on him.

According to the police,Prakash Mhatre,a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Kandivali (East),was a welder with a private firm. Prakash’s mother and his sister-in-law were at home when the incident took place. But they were on the mezzanine floor and his brother had gone for work,said police. “When Prakash’s sister-in-law came up,she found him hanging. Soon,she informed Prakash’s mother. With the help of their neighbours his body was removed and rushed to Bhagwati Hospital,” said Police Sub Inspector Anil Alange. But he was declared brought dead by the hospital authorities.