K. Kannan J.:-

I. An alleged incident, varying perceptions and court verdict

1. 15.12.2003. The vernacular and the English Newspapers had the public riveted to a story of one of the alleged biggest drug hauls in the recent police history from two prominent citizens of Chandigarh and a domestic servant. The news kept the people in disbelief and revulsion and the press got the story going for nearly a month. 13.12.2003 and 14.12.2003 were the days of reckoning for the Police, U.T., Chandigarh, for, what according to them, their vigilance paid and it was an occasion of pride and exultation. 13.12.2003 and all the days following were horror and disaster to accused, outwardly at least, when, according to them, they were hounded and prosecuted on trumped up charges.

2. Neither theatricals nor public opinion shall matter in a big way when a judicial rendition is sought on the forensic application of evidence and law in a given case to find whether the persons that were brought to the dock have been proved to be guilty of the offences attributed against them beyond reasonable doubt. The trial Court affirmed aye to the charge-sheet, finding all the accused guilty of offences under Se