JUDGMENT

V.S. Sirpurkar, J.—

1. This is an appeal by the appellant-accused against his conviction for the offence under Section 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (in short “NDPS Act”) and the consequent sentence of R.I. for 10 years and to pay fine of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, in default to undergo further R.I. for one year.

2. The prosecution story in very short conspectus is that on 4.7.1997 at about 2 p.m., Inspector Mahabir Singh along with other police officials was present at Gubhana bus-stop where he received a secret information that the appellant- accused was doing the business of selling charas and was keeping charas in the courtyard of his house. On this information, Inspector Mahabir Singh immediately informed his superior Kala Ramchandran, Additional Superintendent of Police on wireless and the police party went to the house of the accused after joining Surajbhan, Namberdar and Chanderbhan, Chowkidar as witnesses. In the meantime, ASP Kala Ramchandern also reached the spot and directed the Inspector Mahabir Singh to conduct the search of the premises. The house of the accused which was in a gher (compound) was found locked. Ultimately, it was the wife