V.M.Jain, J.

1. This order shall dispose of above mentioned four Criminal Appeals, as all these appeals have arisen against the judgment and order dated 23.8.2003, passed by the Special Court, Mansa, convicting the accused- appellants under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) and sentencing them to undergo RI for 16 years and to pay fine of Rs. 2 lacs each and in default of payment of fine to undergo further RI for two years each.

2. As per the case of the prosecution, on 22.3.2001, SI Hardevinder Singh, SHO along with ASI Gurtej Singh and other police officials had gone in the area of Village Borawal on Bhikhi Budhlada road in a government jeep to hold nakabandi on the bridge. In the meanwhile Kuldip Singh, Sarpanch arrived there on a scooter and on seeing the police party he stopped there and SI Hardevinder Singh was talking with him when at about 6.30 p.m., from the side of Village Borawal, one truck bearing No. HNN 4185 was seen coming. It was given signal to stop for checking. When the truck was stopped, SI Hardevinder Singh asked the name of the driver and the person sitting on the left-side seat