Tejinder Singh Dhindsa, J.

This order shall dispose of Crl. Appeal Nos. S-775-SB of 2000 and S-838-SB of 2000 as both these appeals are directed against the judgment dated 21.7.2000 passed by the learned Judge, Special Court, Karnal in terms of which the appellants in these appeals stand convicted for an offence under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (for short 'the Act') and have been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay a fine of Rs. 1 lac each and in default thereof, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for three years.

2. As per prosecution version, a police party headed by ASI Rajbir Singh was on patrolling duty on 13.6.1995 and when they were going from village Dabarki to village Jammu Khalan, then a secret information was received that the appellants are habitual of dealing with poppyhusk and have gone towards Yamuna river in an Ambassador Car. Upon receiving secret information, ASI Rajbir Singh sent ruqa to the Police Station and arranged a raiding party by associating Shankar Dass i.e. a public witness. On reaching the spot in question and having waited for some time, an Ambassador car cam