Criminal Revision No. 699 of 1990 1 In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh. Criminal Revision No. 699 of 1990 Date of Decision: 30.01.2008. Jit Singh …Petitioner Versus State of Punjab …Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA Present: Ms. Malkiat Mann, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Ranbir Singh Rawat, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, for the State. Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia, J. (Oral) On a secret information received on 26.6.1983, police party raided the house of petitioner and on a disclosure statement recorded, ten bags of poppy husk weighing 450 Kgs. were recovered. The petitioner was tried before the enactment of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. He was convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.300/-, in default thereof, to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months, by the Court of learned Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Malerkotla. Appeal filed by the petitioner was dismissed on 4.8.1990 by the Court of learned Criminal Revision No. 699 of 1990 2 Additional Sessions Judge, Sangrur. In this case, occurrence pertains to 26.6.1983. About 25 years have lapsed. Ms. Mann has been unable to point out any illegality calling for the interference by this Court in revision. Appreciation of evidence of witnesses cannot be done in exercise of revisional powers. In alternate, Ms. Mann prays that since the occurrence took place 25 years ago, the petitioner has suffered a protracted trial, therefore, he may be released on probation under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1985 or his sentence be reduced. I am in agreement with Ms. Mann. After 25 years of protracted trial, benefit as mitigating circumstances should be given to the petitioner. Hence, I reduce the sentence of petitioner from two years to six months rigorous imprisonment. However, fine is enhanced to Rs.10,000/-, which shall be deposited by the petitioner in the Court. Non-payment of fine by the petitioner shall be considered the dismissal of present revision petition. The present revision petition stands disposed of accordingly. (Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia) Judge January 30, 2008 “DK”