Bala Krishna Narayana, J.

1. Heard Sri Sangam Lal Kesarwani, Amicus-curiae for the appellants, Sri Saghir Ahmad, Sri Rajeev Gupta learned AGAs for the State and Smt. Manju Thakur, State Law Officer.

2. This criminal appeal has been filed by the appellants Mohd. Idrish and Madhu Sudan Pandey against the judgment and order dated 15.9.2008 passed by Additional Sessions Judge/FTC Court No. 3, Jaunpur in Special Sessions Trial No. 68 of 2008 (State Vs. Mohd. Idrish and another) under Section 20 of the NDPS Act, Police Station Gaurabadshahpur, District Jaunpur connected with Session Trial No. 336 of 2008 (State VS. Mohd Idrish) under Section 25 of the Arms Act, Police Station Gaura Badshahpur, District Jaunpur by which both the appellants have been convicted and sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2 lakhs each and in default of payment of fine additional imprisonment of 2 years each under Section 20 of the NDPS Act and appellant no. 1, Mohd. Idrish has been further convicted and sentenced to 7 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25,000/-, in default of payment of fine 1 year additional imprisonment under Section 25 of the Arms Act.

3. Before I h