JUDGMENT

A.V.RAVINDRA BABU,J. - The judgment, dtd. 18/3/2010, in Sessions Case No.755 of 2007 on the file of the Court of I Additional Sessions Judge, Anantapur (for short, 'the learned Additional Sessions Judge'), is under challenge in the present Appeal filed by the appellant, who was unsuccessful accused in the aforesaid Sessions Case and faced charge for the offence under Sec. 20(a) of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short, 'the NDPS Act').

2. The learned Additional Sessions Judge found the accused guilty of the aforesaid charge, convicted him under Sec. 235(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short, 'the Cr.P.C') and after questioning him about the quantum of sentence, sentenced him to suffer Rigorous Imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000.00 in default to suffer Simple Imprisonment for three months.

3. The parties to this Criminal Appeal will hereinafter be referred to as described before the trial Court, for the sake of convenience.

4. The State, represented by Station House Officer (SHO), Prohibition and Excise Station, Tadipatri filed charge sheet in Crime No.37 of 1999-2000 for the offence under Sec. 8(b) R/w.20(