JUDGMENT :

The appellant, who is the accused in NDSC.No.4 of 2014 on the file of the Court of Special Judge for Trial of Cases under N.D.P.S. Act – cum – I Additional Sessions Judge, Adilabad, was found guilty and was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 20(a)(b)(ii)(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter be referred to as “the NDPS Act” for brevity) and was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay fine of Rs.1,00,000/- and in default of payment of fine, to suffer simple imprisonment for six months. The findings given and the punishment imposed are assailed by the appellant/accused through this appeal.

2. Heard the submissions of the learned counsel for the appellant/accused as well as the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor, who is representing the respondent, and gave anxious consideration to their versions regarding the factual and legal aspects.

3. The case of the prosecution, if narrated in a narrow compass, as could be culled out through the charge sheet is that on 02.12.2013, basing on the reliable information about the cultivation of Ganja by the appellant/accused, P.Ws.3 to 5 secured P.W