Crl. R.C. No. 843 of 1959) to take up these related proceedings in their logical order, is a proceeding in revision against the conviction of the revision petitioner (H.L. Modi), under section 167 (8-l) of the Sea Customs Act, which conviction was confirmed in appeal by the learned Sessions Judge of Chingleput. Crl.R.C. No. 842 of 1959 is a revision proceeding by the Public prosecutor against the sentence in the case, which was reduced on appeal by the learned Sessions Judge of Chingleput to a fine of Rs. 1,000 alone, setting aside the sentence of rigorous imprisonment for three months imposed by the trial Court.

The facts are very simple, though the matter reveals a somewhat tangled history with regard to the facts of trial. On 14th December, 1957, this revision petitioner (H.L. Modi) disembarked at Meenambakkam aerodrome from an aeroplane which flew from Bombay to Madras. He was interrogated by certain Customs Officials, and his trunk was searched ; with the result that underneath certain articles of clothing a tin box was found containing 247 wrist watches of “Record” manufacture, most of them new. A mahazar was duly drafted for the seizures, and, in the office of the Col