2 Decades of Wrongful Imprisonment: Man Released as Court Discovers ‘Heroin’ Was Ordinary Powder

Basti (UP): In a shocking turn of events reminiscent of a gripping Bollywood drama, Abdullah Ayyub found himself ensnared in a web of deceit when he was falsely accused of possessing heroin. After spending two decades behind bars, Ayyub emerged from prison as a vindicated man. The court proceedings and Ayyub’s own testimony revealed a calculated plot by individuals he had wronged, driven by a thirst for revenge. This harrowing tale of betrayal and manipulation unfolded in the early 2000s, only to unravel in 2023 with the ultimate revelation that the so-called narcotic was nothing more than ordinary powder available for a mere 20 rupees.

Abdullah Ayyub’s troubles began on March 14, 2003, when law enforcement recovered 25 grams of alleged heroin, valued at a staggering one crore rupees, from his possession. However, it was later revealed that Ayyub had been deliberately framed by those seeking retribution. One individual involved was Khurshid, a police constable whom Ayyub had evicted from his rented accommodation after he failed to settle his dues.

Seething with anger and a desire for retaliation, Khurshid collaborated with CO City Anil Singh, SO Purani Basti Lalji Yadav, and SI Narmadeshwar Shukla to devise a scheme to trap Ayyub. These police officers not only planted counterfeit heroin on Ayyub but also manipulated forensic evidence to strengthen their case against him.

As the trial commenced, the forensic laboratory in Basti initially confirmed the presence of heroin in the powder seized from Ayyub. However, when the court sent the sample to a laboratory in Lucknow, it was revealed that the substance was, in fact, an innocuous powder. Shockingly, the evidence had been tampered with by the police. Subsequently, the court summoned expert scientists from Lucknow, who unequivocally confirmed the sample’s artificial nature by noting its brown colour, unlike the white hue of genuine heroin, which remains consistent regardless of climate conditions.

In light of this significant revelation, Justice Vijay Kumar Katiyar acquitted Abdullah Ayyub, highlighting that the police had misrepresented the case, resulting in a miscarriage of justice. The judge further emphasized that the prosecution had unnecessarily burdened the court’s resources and time with their misleading evidence.