IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.K.MOHANAN FRIDAY, THE 26TH AUGUST 2011 / 4TH BHADRA 1933 CRL.A.No. 771 of 2010() ----------------------- SC.360/2008 OF THE ADDL. SESSIONS JUDGE (ADHOC-II), ERNAKULAM. .................... APPELLANT: -------------- RAJU, C.NO.7947, CENTRAL PRISON, VIYYUR. BY ADV. SMT.SANDHYA RAJU RESPONDENT: -------------------- STATE OF KERALA PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI K.S.SIVAKUMAR. THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 26/08/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.K.MOHANAN, J. ---------------------------------------- Crl.A.No. 771 of 2010 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 26th day of August, 2011 J U D G M E N T The sole accused in Sessions Case No.360 of 2008 of the court of Additional Sessions Judge (ADHOC-II), Ernakulam is the appellant as he is aggrieved by the judgment dated 1.1.2010 in the above sessions case, by which he is convicted and sentenced for the offence under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to for short as 'the N.D.P.S.Act'). 2. The prosecution case is that at about 1.45 a.m. on 28.7.2008, the appellant was found in possession of 5.326 Kgms. of dried ganja kept in two plastic covers in front of the gate of Government High School, Perumbavoor and thus, the accused has committed the offence punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the N.D.P.S.Act. On the basis of the above allegation, Crime No.8 of 2008 was registered in the Excise Enforcement and Anti Narcotic Special Squad, Ernakulam and on completing the investigation, the Excise Circle Inspector, Ernakulam laid the charge against the accused before the Principal Sessions Court, Ernakulm based upon which cognizance was taken and instituted Crl.A.771/10 2 S.C.No.360 of 2008 and subsequently, the case is made over to the trial court for disposal. When the accused was produced pursuant to the issuance of production warrant, as he was not having his own choice of Advocate, Advocate Sri.K.S.Surendran was appointed by the trial court under the legal aid scheme, to defend the case of the accused. Thus, after hearing the prosecution as well as the defence, the trial court has framed a formal charge against the appellant/accused for the offence under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act and when the charge was read over and explained to the accused in his mother tongue, he denied the same and pleaded not guilty. Hence the prosecution has adduced its evidence consisting of the deposition of PWs.1 to 5 and the documentary evidence Exts.P1 to P17. Besides the above, MOs.1 to 5 were also produced and marked by the prosecution. After considering the above materials and evidence, the trial court came to a conclusion in favour of the prosecution and found that the accused has committed the offence punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act and accordingly, he is convicted thereunder. On such conviction, the appellant is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for four Crl.A.771/10 3 years and to pay fine of Rs.25,000/- and the default sentence is fixed as rigorous imprisonment for three months. Set off is allowed under Section 428 of Cr.P.C. It is the above conviction and sentence, are under challenge. 3. As the appellant is undergoing imprisonment in pursuance of the impugned judgment, he preferred this appeal from the jail and thus, on receiving the above jail appeal, as directed by this Court, the Registry has appointed Smt.Sandhya Raju as State Brief, and thus, I have heard Smt.Sandhya Raju, learned counsel appearing for the appellant and Sri.K.S.Sivakumar, learned Public Prosecutor for the State. 4. The crux of the prosecution allegation is that the accused was found in possession of 5.326 Kgs. of dried ganja at about 1.45 a.m.on 28.7.2008 at the place in front of the gate of Government High School, Perumbavoor. In order to establish the above allegation against the accused, the prosecution mainly depends upon the evidence of PW1, the Circle Inspector of Excise Enforcement and Anti Narcotic Special Squad, Ernakulam, who detected the offence. When PW1 was examined, he had deposed before the court strictly in terms of the prosecution allegation. Crl.A.771/10 4 When he was examined, the prosecution has got marked Ext.P1 notice issued to the accused under Section 50 of the NDPS Act, Ext.P2 consent letter given by the accused pursuant to Ext.P1 notice, Ext.P3 arrest memo with respect to the arrest of the accused, Ext.P4 specimen impression seal, Ext.P5 seizure mahazar, Ext.P6 crime and occurrence report, Ext.P7 intimation of arrest, Ext.P8 property list, Ext.P9 forwarding note, Ext.P10 test memo and Ext.P11 which is a report send by PW, to his superior officer under Section 42 of the NDPS Act. Besides the above documents, PW1 has also identified MO1 big shopper, MOs.2 and 3 plastic covers, MO4 one packet of ganja and MO5 which is a plastic cover returned from the chemical analysis laboratory. When PW1 was examined, he had elaborately stated the procedure adopted by him towards the seizure of the contraband article from the possession of the accused. He had also stated the compliance of the formalities for the arrest of the accused. PW2, is an attestor to Ext.P5 seizure mahazar who is an independent witness. When he was examined, he had also deposed in terms of the prosecution case and he has admitted his signature in Ext.P5 as well as on the labels contained in MO1, Crl.A.771/10 5 MO2, MO3,MO4 and Ext.P4 cover. PW3 is the Village Officer who prepared Ext.P2 site plan. PW4 is an Advocate who translated the questions asked by the investigating officer to the accused in Hindi and answers given by the accused in Hindi to Malayalam. PW5 is the Excise Circle Inspector, Kochi who conducted the investigation and laid the charge against the accused. It is the above evidence and materials considered by the court below for convicting the accused under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act, which conviction and sentence are under challenge in this appeal. 5. Learned counsel for the appellant reiterating the averments and contentions taken in the jail appeal submitted that the appellant, who belongs to Orissa State, reached at Perumbavoor in search of a job and while he was residing in a hotel room, he was implicated in the present case. Learned counsel also submitted that during the trial, though he submitted before the learned Judge of the trial court that he is not aware of Hindi, since his mother tongue is Oriya, the court below has not appointed any Advocate or person who knows Oriya as translator, but appointed PW4, who knows only Hindi, and as a result of the procedure adopted by the trial court, a fair trial was Crl.A.771/10 6 denied to the appellant/accused and therefore, the trial and consequent conviction and sentence are liable to be set aside. According to the learned counsel for the appellant, the prosecution case that he was found in possession of ganja, is absolutely incorrect and unbelievable since the appellant reached in Perumbavoor in search of job. 6. On the other hand, Sri.Sivakumar, learned Public Prosecutor submitted that there is no reason to disbelieve PW1, who detected the offence and made the seizure of the contraband article from the possession of the appellant/accused. Through the evidence of PW1 and the documents marked through PW1 with respect to the seizure and arrest, the prosecution has discharged its duty in establishing the allegation against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. According to the learned Public Prosecutor, the prosecution evidence regarding those aspects remained intact and therefore, the learned Sessions Judge is fully justified in his finding and the conviction recorded against the appellant. Thus, according to the learned Public Prosecutor, no interference is warranted. 7. I have carefully considered the arguments advanced by Crl.A.771/10 7 the learned counsel for the appellant as well as the learned Public Prosecutor. I have perused the judgment of the trial court and scrutinised the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and documents relied on by them. 8. In the light of the materials and evidence referred to by the learned Sessions Judge in the impugned judgment, which forms for the basis of the finding and conviction and in view of the rival pleadings advanced by the counsel for the appellant as well as the learned Public Prosecutor, the question to be considered is whether the learned Judge of the trial court is justified in his finding and convicting and sentencing the appellant/accused for the offence under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act. 9. As I indicated earlier, the prosecution, to establish its case, mainly depends upon the evidence of PW1, the detcting officer. When he was examined, he had deposed that while himself and party were on petrol duty, and when they reached at the place of occurrence, they saw the accused standing there by holding a big shopper and on seeing them, the accused tried to escape from the scene of occurrence but Crl.A.771/10 8 he was intercepted and thereafter, in accordance with the mandatory provisions contained under section 50 of the NDPS Act, body search was conducted in the presence of independent witness. Towards the compliance of Section 50, according to PW1, he served Ext.P1 notice on the appellant, in turn, the appellant issued Ext.P2 consent letter. According to PW1, subsequently, the big shopper which was held by the accused was examined and then found two black plastic covers and on further examination, the contents thereof is realised as dried ganja. Thus according to PW1, he had drawn two simples and the details of drawing samples has been elaborately mentioned in Ext.P5 seizure mahazar. Though PW1 was subjected to cross examination, there was no serious challenge against his evidence with respect to the seizure as well as the arrest of the accused. The learned Counsel for the appellant, though s submitted that the accused was taken into custody when he was sleeping in the hotel room, no evidence is adduced by the defence to substantiate the above version. Nothing is brought on record from the materials and the evidence of the prosecution to come into a conclusion, at Crl.A.771/10 9 least, to disbelieve the version of the prosecution that the accused was not arrested from the place of occurrence as claimed by the prosecution . In this juncture it is pertinent to note that the evidence of PW1 is fully supported and corroborated by the evidence of PW2 who is an independent witness. When PW2 was examined, he had deposed the circumstances under which he happened to be at the spot at the relevant time and he had also admitted his signature in Ext.P5 seizure mahazar as well as on the labels on MO1 to 4. Though there was a suggestion from the part of the defence that PW2 is interested in supporting the version of PW1, nothing is brought on record to substantiate the above claim of the defence. Therefore, according to me, the prosecution case with respect to the seizure of the contraband article from the possession of the appellant and the arrest of the accused as per Ext.P3 arrest memo are proved beyond any doubt. 10. The further proceedings of PW1 is fully supported by contemporary documentary evidence. After the seizure and arrest of the accused, he registered Ext.P6 crime and occurrence report. He had prepared Ext.P8 property list and Crl.A.771/10 10 Ext.P9 forwarding note. From the endorsement contained in Ext.P8 property list, it can be seen that the same reached in the court at 6.40 p.m on the date of the occurrence, ie. 28.7.2008, similarly, the forwarding note as well as the request for sending the samples for chemical analysis were also reached in the court on 28.7.2008. From the endorsement contained in Ext.P8 property list, it can be seen that the material objects were also reached in the court on the date of receipt of Ext.P8 property list. Ext.P6 crime and occurrence report along with Ext.P3 arrest memo, Ext.P7 arrest intimation, Ext.P1 notice and Ext.P2 letter etc. were also reached in the court at about 6.40 p.m on 28.7.2008. As per the arrest memo dated 28.7.2008, the accused/appellant was produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Perumbavoor at 6.40 p.m on 28.7.2008. So PW1 has discharged his duties promptly, without any failure. As far as the prosecution allegation against the appellant is concerned, the above evidence of PW1 and PW2 and the documents referred to above, are sufficient to prove the case against the appellant and thus according to me , the trial court is fully justified in its finding with respect to the seizure of 5.326 kgms of dried ganja Crl.A.771/10 11 from the physical possession of the appellant at about 1.45 am on 28.7.2008. 11. The learned counsel for the appellant submitted that at the time of the alleged seizure of the contraband article and at the time of the trial , neither PW1 nor the learned Judge of the trial court has considered the grievance of the appellant that he was not in a position to understand the proceedings because the translation was in Hindi, which is not his mother tongue . I am unable to sustain the above submission, so as to accept the contention that a fair trial was denied to the appellant. As evident from Ext.P1, the right of the appellant under section 50 was conveyed to him by PW1 in Hindi language, and it is further clear that in reply to Ext.P1 and responding to the same, the appellant issued Ext.P2 consent letter which is also written in Hindi. From Ext.P1 notice, it an be seen that the accused himself acknowledged the same by his endorsement in Hindi language. Neither Ext.P1 nor Ext.P2 is challenged at any point of time till the conviction. Therefore, the above contention of the learned counsel is not factually legal and sustainable. 12. In the light of the above facts and circumstances and Crl.A.771/10 12 discussions, on the basis of the materials and evidence referred to above, I am of the view that the learned Sessions Judge is fully justified in his finding in favour of the prosecution and convicting the accused under section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act and accordingly, the conviction imposed against the appellant is confirmed. 13. With regard to the sentence, the learned counsel for the appellant in her persuasive language, it is submitted that the appellant is hailing from an internal remote village of Orissa State who happened to be reached at Perumbavoor in search of a job and who was only at the age of 33 at the time of the offence and therefore a lenient view may be taken in the matter of sentence, particularly considering the fact that the appellant had already undergone imprisonment for more than 3 years. 14. According to me, the above submission requires positive consideration, in the light of the above mitigating circumstances pointed out by the learned counsel for the appellant . 15. In the jail appeal, it is specifically stated that, because of the communal riots and religious clashes that occurred in his Crl.A.771/10 13 State , the appellant was forced to quit his village, in search of a job. Those facts are not raised or proved in the court below. But it is relevant to note that at the time of the alleged offence, the accused was at the age of about 33 years who is hailing from a remote village of Orissa. 16. The accused was arrested on 28.7.2008 and till this time, he is in custody. The trial court has already extended the benefit under section 428 Cr.P.C in favour of the appellant. After having considered the over all situation, particularly, the mitigating circumstances indicated above, I am of the view that three years rigorous imprisonment is sufficient to meet the ends of justice and confirming the sentence to pay fine, the default sentence can be reduced into one month simple imprisonment. In the result, this appeal is dismissed confirming the conviction of the appellant/accused for the offence under section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the NDPS Act. But the sentence imposed against the appellant by the trial court is modified and reduced the same into three years rigorous imprisonment, and while confirming the sentence of fine of Rs.25,000/-, the default sentence is reduced into one month simple imprisonment. Crl.A.771/10 14 In the light of the above modification with respect to the sentence, the appellant is entitled to get released from jail ,at any rate, on 28.8.2011, in case he is not required in any other case, since he had already completed the substantial sentence of three years rigorous imprisonment on 28.7.2011 and the default sentence will be completed as on 28.8.2011. In the light of the modified order of sentence, the Registry is directed to forward the gist of this judgment to the Superintendent, Central Prison , Viyyur forthwith for appropriate action. V.K.MOHANAN, JUDGE kvm/- Crl.A.771/10 15 V.K. MOHANAN, J. CRL.A.NO.771/2010 GIST OF JUDGMENT 26.8.2011