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2015 Supreme(Gau) 156

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI
Biplab Kumar Sharma, J.
Anaram Nath – Appellant
Vs.
State of Assam – Respondent
Crl. A. No. 129 of 2014
Decided On : 18-02-2015

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For Appellant/Petitioner/Plaintiff:N. Bora, Advocate
For Respondents/Defendant: D. Das, Addl. P.P.

Headnote:

NDPS Act - Section 20(C) – Criminal Produce Code, 1973 - Section 313 – Criminal Trial - Ganjas were seized – Possession - Drugs and Narcotics Division – Appeal against conviction - Period of detention already undergone is to be set off - Be it stated here that accused appellant has been convicted along with another namely Sri Dilip Nath with same sentence. SI of police Badri Prasad Baruwati of Morigaon Police Station had lodged an FIR with Morigaon Police Station stating therein that on 18.4.2013 when routine checkup of vehicle was going on at Basnaghat Chariali two bags containing suspected Ganja of 5 KG each were recovered from possession of two accused persons - Held, Accused appellant has already undergone imprisonment pursuant to impugned judgment of conviction - Prior to that, he was all along under custody ever since FIR was lodged - Having regard to facts and circumstances and also quantity of Ganja that was recovered from possession of accused persons, upon modification of conviction as aforesaid, the sentence is reduced to period already undergone by accused appellant - Parties submit that they are not aware as to same - Irrespective of said fact, since the other co-accused i.e. accused appellant has been convicted and sentenced as aforesaid, said benefit shall also stand extended to him – Conviction modified - Appeal Partly Allowed.

JUDGMENT :

Biplab Kumar Sharma, J.

1. This appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction dated 15.2.2014 of the learned Sessions Judge, Morigaon in Sessions (Spl.) Case No. 01/2013, convicting the accused appellant namely Sri Anaram Nath under Section 20(C) of the NDPS Act. Consequent upon such conviction, he has been sentenced to undergo RI for 10 years and a fine of Rs. 50,000/- and in default, to undergo RI for another 6 months. The period of detention already undergone is to be set off. Be it stated here that the accused appellant has been convicted along with another namely Sri Dilip Nath with the same sentence. SI of police Badri Prasad Baruwati of Morigaon Police Station had lodged an FIR with Morigaon Police Station on 19.5.2013 stating therein that on 18.4.2013 when routine checkup of vehicle was going on at Basnaghat Chariali two bags containing suspected Ganja of 5 KG each were recovered from the possession of two accused persons, who were traveling in the Bus bearing registration No. AS-21-C-1237. The information so received was recorded vide G.D. Entry No. 447 dated 18.4.2013. Suspected Ganjas were seized in presence of witnesses by observing all the formalities and they were sealed and packed. The accused persons were arrested and sent to custody. Sample was drawn and sent to FSL. On receipt of examination report from the Deputy Director, Drugs and Narcotics Division, FSL, it was found that positive test for cannabis (ganja) was recorded therein.

2. On receipt of the FIR, Morigaon P.S. Case No. 160/2013 under Section 20(c) NDPS Act. On completion of the investigation charge was framed against the accused persons under Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the NDPS Act. The charge being read over to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried and accordingly trial commenced.

3. During trial, prosecution examined 9 witnesses including the 10 and exhibited materials and documents. The statements of the accused persons were also recorded under Section 313 CrPC. The learned Trial Court appreciating the evidence on record having convicted the accused appellant along with the other co-accused Sri Dilip Nath as aforesaid, he has preferred this appeal.

4. Mr. N. Bora, learned counsel for the accused appellant referring to the evidence on record submits that there being lack of evidence, the accused appellant is entitled to acquittal. He further submits that solely on the basis of the evidence of PW-2, PW-4 and PW-7, the conviction is not sustainable in absence of any evidence corroborating their evidences. On the other hand, Mr. D. Das, learned Addl. P.P., Assam submits that the evidence are overwhelming towards establishing the charge against the accused appellant, there is no question of reversing the said judgment.

5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties and have also perused the entire evidence on record.

6. PW-1 is the Deputy Director, Drugs & Narcotic Division, DFS, Assam, who in his deposition stated about the particular parcel sent to him in a sealed envelope. The said envelopes marked as A, B, C and D contain 24 Gm dry plant each. On examination, he found positive tests for cannabis (Ganja). Ext-1 is his report and Ext-1 (1) is his signature. Ext-2 is the forwarding letter.

7. PW-2 is the conductor of the bus, in which, the accused persons were traveling allegedly along with two bags carrying Ganja. He in his deposition categorically stated about boarding the bus by the two accused persons along with two black colour bags. On being asked, he was replied and told by the accused persons that they had carried cloths in both the bags. Upon cross examination, he stated that since two bags carried by the accused persons were bigger in size compared to other bags of other passengers, he had asked about the contents of the same. According to this witness, when the bus was intercepted by police and checked, Ganjas were recovered from the said two b













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