JUDGMENT :

1. This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 26.02.2021, in Spl.C.C.No.6 of 2021, on the file of the Special Court for EC/NDPS Act Cases, Salem.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the appellant/accused cultivated Ganja plants in his 10 cents of land, weighing about 4.100 kg, and the respondent police arrested the accused on 07.10.2020 at about 09.30 hours and thereafter, he was charge-sheeted for the offences under Sections 8(b) r/w. 20(a)(i) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (“NDPS Act”).

3.While framing the charges, the accused/appellant pleaded guilty. Based on the same, the trial Court convicted the accused/appellant under Sections 8(b) r/w. 20(a)(i) of NDPS Act and sentenced him to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment and also to pay a fine of Rs.20,000/-, in default, to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment.

4.Challenging the judgment of conviction and sentence, the appellant/accused has preferred this appeal before this Court.

5.The learned counsel appearing for the appellant/accused submitted that the charge framed against the appellant / accused is grave in nature. The trial Court, without