JUDGMENT

Ajit Singh Bains, J. - This appeal is directed against the judgment dated 5th April, 1983, rendered by the learned Sessions Judge, Ropar, whereby Shamsher Singh and Kamail Singh appellants were convicted for the offence under sections 500 and 501, Indian Penal Code, respectively and each one of, them was sentenced to undergo four month's simple imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs. 250/or in default of payment of fine, to undergo further two months' simple imprisonment.

2. The prosecution case as set up at the trial was that the appellants printed and got published in the issue of Weekly "Sachittar Punjab patrika" dated January 19-25. 1981, the following news item captioned as "Ke Sarkar Partal Karwaigi Ropar De Petrol Pumpan De Malkan Ton Paise Battoran Lai Controller Maap Te Tol Punjab Wallon Kojhi Karwai," In that news item, it was mentioned that their special correspondent had reported that a day prior to the visit of Ropar district by Smt. Indira Gandhi on 29th December, 1980, Shri Amarjit Singh, Controller, Weights and Measures, Punjab, made checking of petrol pumps 'in Ropar district and, cancelled the license of Koshal Service Station and Aljit Service Station, on