Lokeshwar Singh Panta, J,—This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 15.12.1999 passed by Sessions Judge, Chamba in Sessions Case No. 16 of 1998 convicting the appellant-accused under Section 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) and sentencing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and to pay a fine of Rs. one lakh and in default of payment of fine to undergo six months simple imprisonment. In order to appreciate the controversy we are herewith giving essential facts:—

2. The accused was put on trial for the offence punishable under Section 20 of the Act. As per the prosecution story on 18.1.1998 the accused was travelling in Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (for short HRTC) bus No. HP-37-0330 from Chamba to Mataur. At about 11 a.m. the said bus reached at a place known Drada where it was stopped by Head Constable Satpal (PW-7) for traffic checking. While checking the bus, PW-7 noticed that the accused tried to slip away whereupon he entertained a suspicion against the accused and apprehended him. Dalbir Singh (PW-5) and Dev Raj (PW-6) driver and conductor respectively of the b