Judgment

VAIDIALINGAM, J.:- In this is appeal by special leave, the appellant accused challenges the judgment and order dated February 8, 1968 of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Criminal Revision No. 237 of 1967, confirming the conviction and sentence passed against him for an offence under S. 29 of the Police Act, l86l (hereinafter to be referred as the Act).

2. The appellant was at the relevant period a constable having roll number 857. He was originally recruited in 1950 to the police service in the composite Punjab State; and on the formation of the State of Haryana, he was allotted to Haryana. The appellant was posted to do duty at the police lines, Karnal, before November 25, 1963. It was reported by the Lines Officer on November 25, 1963 that when roll-call was taken on the evening of that day at about 6.30 p.m., the appellant was found absent. The report also refers to the absence of certain other police officers, with whom we are not concerned. The judicial magistrate, Karnal, issued what is stated to be a notice dated January l0, l966 to the appellant, alleging that he was found absent from duty from the police lines at the time of roll-call on November 25, 1963. He wa