DARSHAN SINGH, J.

The present appeal has been preferred by the appellants mentioned above against the judgment of conviction dated 13.01.2011, vide which they have been held guilty and convicted by the learned Judge, Special Court, Panipat for the offence punishable under Section 18 of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short 'NDPS Act') and the order of sentence dated 15.01.2011, vide which they were ordered to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of thirteen years and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,50,000/- each and in default thereof, they were further ordered to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one year each.

2. In nutshell, the facts giving rise to this prosecution are that on 07.01.2009, Inspector Jagdeep Singh (PW-7), the Investigating Officer of the case received the secret information that accused-appellant no.1-Wardi Chand, accused-appellant no.2-Balbir, accused-appellant no.3-Trilok, accused-appellant no.4-Kuldeep, accused-appellant no.5-Vikas (now deceased) travelling in Qualis vehicle bearing registration no. RJ-24-C-1987 were carrying contraband in huge quantity. The said vehicle was roaming around Panipat City and they can