Judgment

KOSHAL, J.:- By this judgment we shall dispose of Criminal Appeals Nos. 496, 497 and 498 of 1976 and No. 321 of 1977 as well as Special Leave Petition No. 490 of 1979, all of which are directed against a common judgment of the Bombay High Court date 27th July 1975.

2. The number of persons accused at the trial giving rise to the appeals and petition above-mentioned was 14. For the purpose of better appreciating the facts of the case they may be classified under three heads as shown in the following tables :-

TABLE I.

Serial No. Name of accused Description of accused

1. A. V. Damle Superintendent, Central Excise and Customs, Dahanu.

2. J. A. Naidu Inspector, Central Excise and Customs, Dahanu.

3. S. M. Kelkar Sub-Inspector, Central Excise and Customs, Dahanu

5. M. M. Keer } Sepoys, Central Excise and Customs, Dahanu.

6. M. C. Nikam, }

TABLE II.

4. A. R. Alli Sub-Inspector, Central Excise and Customs, Tarapur

7. S. B. Kurudkar }

8. D. B. Pendekar }

9. Y. S. Sawant, } Sepoys Central Excise and Customs, Tarapur.

10. J. V. Pujare }

11. B. S. Cavas }

TABLE III.

12. Y. C. Ambhire Fisherman and mason at Dhakte-Dahanu.

13. Indur T. Didlani Trader in Textiles, 27. Everest, Peddar Road, Bo