ED Lucknow convicts three in drug money-laundering case, sentences to 4 years

It matters to citizens as it details a specific legal outcome in a drug-related financial crime case.

Who it concerns: The document concerns the accused individuals (Shahid, Harswaroop, Brij Kishore @ Birju, and Deepak Rana), the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Lucknow.

What the ED says it did

• Shahid, Harswaroop, and Brij Kishore @ Birju were convicted for money laundering under Section 3 of the PMLA, 2002, by the Special Court (PMLA), Lucknow, via judgment dated 28.09.2026 and sentencing order dated 05.10.2026.
• The three accused were sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for 4 years each and fined ₹50,000 each.
• Co-accused Deepak Rana was convicted in Session Case No. 1398/2026 via judgment dated 09.09.2026 after admitting guilt, and sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for 4 years and a fine of ₹50,000.
• The ED investigation was initiated based on a DRI case regarding the interception of a truck carrying 237.40 Kg of Ganja valued at approximately ₹14.24 lakh.
• The accused were found to be involved in the concealment, possession, and transportation of proceeds of crime generated from illicit trafficking of narcotic substances.

Also in the document

• The underlying scheduled offence involved the seizure of narcotic contraband (Ganja) by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
• Deepak Rana’s case was separated from the main trial after he admitted his guilt before the Court.