JUDGMENT

K. Jayachandra Reddy, J. - The appellant, a lady by name Smt. Valsala was convicted by the learned Sessions Judge, Thiruvananthapuram under section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985 ('NDPS Act' for short) and sentenced to 10 years R.I. and to pay a fine of Rs. one lakh, in default of payment which to further undergo R.I. for one year. The appeal preferred by her was dismissed by the High Court.

2. On 3.10.19.87 in the evening at about 5.45 p.m. P.W. 6 Police Sub Inspector, Officer-incharge of Police Station Thiruvananthapuram saw the appellant sitting under a tree near Sabudra Hotel on the eastern side of the Beach. She was having a packet by her side. The police party became suspicious and they examined the packet and found it to be a powder. Suspecting it to be, Brown Sugar, they seized the same and also a balance and weights. P.W. 6 got it weighed by a goldsmith and it weighed about 31 grams and 100 miligrams. The mahazar Ex. P-2 was prepared in the presence of P.Ws. I and 3 and F.I.R. was lodged and subsequently a charge-sheet was laid. The article seized was sent to the Chcmical Examiner, who examined the same and found it to be Brown Sugar