Appellants are accused in a special case in Spl.Case No.17/2012 which was pending on the file of Special Judge, Bidar. They have been convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 20(B)(ii)(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 read with Section 34, I.P.C. They have been sentenced to undergo RI for a period of 10 years each and to pay a fine of Rs.1,00,000/each, vide considered judgment of conviction and sentence dated 18.4.2015 and 22.4.2015 respectively. They are in judicial custody.

2. The present appeal filed under Section 374, Cr.P.C. is directed against the said judgment of conviction and sentence.

3. Mr.Anilkumar Navadagi, learned counsel representing the appellants and Mr.P.S.Patil, learned HCGP for the State have submitted arguments at length.

4. The facts leading to the trial conducted by the special judge, Bidar, are as follows:

a) The sub inspector of Halikhed police station, Bidar District, who is examined as PW-10, is stated to have received credible information on 27.11.2011 while he was in the police station that some persons had held ganja-illegally and they were attempting to sell the same near the railway bridge in the vic