Criminal Appeal No. 42 SB of 2000 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. Criminal Appeal No. 42 SB of 2000 Date of decision : January 7, 2008 Krishan Lal Vs. State of Punjab CORAM: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia. Present: None for the appellant. Mr. S.S.Sahu, AAG, Punjab. K.S. Ahluwalia, J. (Oral) The present appeal was filed by Krishan Lal appellant through jail. He was convicted and sentenced under Section 18 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act by the Judge, Special Court, Patiala to undergo RI for 10 years and to pay a fine of Rs. one lac, in default of payment of which to further undergo RI for two years. Perusal of the record shows that no body was appointed as amicus curiae for the appellant. However, Sh. J.S.Bhatti Advocate had filed an application for suspension of sentence of the applicant, which was declined. Thereafter none has followed up the present appeal. Report was called from the Superintendent, Central Jail, Patiala and this Court is aghast to learn that the appellant, who was awarded ten years of sentnece has undergone 10 years 3 months and 5 days, as per report furnished to the office by Shri Harjit Singh, Criminal Appeal No. 42 SB of 2000 2 Munishi from the office of Superintendent, Central Jail, Patiala. This Court expresses its anguish and pain that the entire actual sentence has been undergone by the appellant when his appeal has come up for final hearing. As the appellant seemed to be a poor person, none has followed his case. I have perused the records and find that there is nothing on merits. Therefore, this Court cannot come to the rescue of the appellant as he was arrested having 3 Kgs of opium in his possession. However, in the facts and circumstances, his sentence for default in payment of fine from two years is reduced to one month. Hence the appellant stands sentenced to ten years and to pay a fine of Rs. one lac, in default to undergo further RI for one month. Since the appellant has undergone 10 years 3 months and 5 days, it is expected that he would be set at liberty, if not required in any other case. Having dismissed the appeal on merits, the only relief given to the appellant is that his sentence in default of payment of fine from two years is reduced to one month. With this modification, the present appeal stands disposed of. [Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia] Judge January 7, 2008. `ask'