Chitranjan Manjhi v. State Of Chhattisgarh

NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR Criminal Appeal No.369 of 2004 Chitranjan Manjhi, S/o Vishveshwar Manjhi, Aged about 60 years, occupation Agriculture, R/o PV 78, Janakpur, Police Chowki, Bandey, PS Pakhanjur, Distt. Kanker (CG).

---- Appellant

Versus

The State of Chhattisgarh, through the Police Chowki, Bandey, PS Pakhanjur, Distt. Kanker.

---- Respondent For Appellant :

Shri Jitendra Gupta, Advocate.

For respondent/State :

Shri Sameer Behar, Panel Lawyer.

Hon'ble Shri Justice P. Sam Koshy Judgment on Board 07.10.2017 1.

The appellant stands convicted for the offence punishable under Section 20A(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act (in short the Act) and have been sentenced to undergo RI for 5 years with fine of Rs.15000/- with default stipulation, vide judgment dated 22.03.2003 passed by the Special Judge (NDPS Act), Bastar, in Special Case No.37/2002.

2.

As per prosecution story, on 19.09.2002 the appellant was found in cultivation of 139 Ganja plants in his courtyard. A search was conducted in this regard on 19.09.2002 and subsequently after the mandatory compliance under the provisions of the Act, a case was charged against the appellant for an offence punishable under Section 20A(i) of the Act. The matter was put to trial before the Special Judge (NDPS Act),

Bastar.

3.

There was 7 witnesses examined on behalf of the prosecution side and the learned Special Judge after completion of trial vide the impugned judgment, finding the appellant to be guilty of having committed the offence, convicted and sentenced him as mentioned in paragraph 1 of this judgment.

4.

Learned counsel for the appellant assailing the impugned judgment of conviction submits that the trial court has not properly appreciated the fact that the provisions of Section 42 have not been strictly complied with in the instant case and therefore, the benefit of the same would go in favour of the appellant. Likewise, it was also submitted that statutory and mandatory provisions of Section 50 of the Act also has not been fulfilled. It was also alleged that the provisions under Sections 52,55 and 57 of the Act have also not been followed while prosecuting the appellant. Hence, the entire case of prosecution collapse and the judgment of conviction deserves to be set aside. 5.

Per contra, learned counsel for the State opposing the appeal submits that it is a case where the prosecution witness have infact supported the case of the prosecution and there is no illegality or infirmity in the findings of guilt arrived at by the Trial court. He further submits that the prosecution case have also been supported by the independent witness examined and thus the judgment of conviction does not warrant any interference and prayed for rejection of the appeal. 6.

Having heard the rival contentions put forth on either side and on

perusal of records, particularly the evidence which have been brought by the prosecution, it reflects that so far as the requirement of Section 42 is concerned, the prosecution infact has led evidence of Sub Inspector, Rajesh Sahu, PW-7, who has specifically deposed giving the details of the information received at the police station and thereafter further information being sent to the higher authorities i.e. SDOP, Pakhanjur, vide Ex. P/23 and the subsequent proceedings which were drawn which also reflects the fulfillment of the mandatory provisions both under Sections 42 as also under Section 50 of the Act. There was no substantive cross examination made in this regard by the defence with which the deposition of said witness was to be disbelieved or disproved.

7.

Likewise, the seizure witness in the instant case also have supported the case of the prosecution inasmuch as Makhansheel, PW-1, and the Patwari of village Gajanan Dhruv have supported the case of prosecution which proves the case of prosecution without any doubt so far as mandatory and statutory compliance which are otherwise required under the provisions of the Act.

8.

Considering the evidence which have come on record particularly the independent witness examined, as also the report which have come from the FSL whereby it has been established that the contraband plants which was seized were that of Ganja, proves the entire case of the prosecution. Thus, this court does not find any strong case made out by the appellant for setting aside the impugned judgment of conviction nor does this court finds any illegality or infirmity or the

finding of the court below to be contrary to evidence. 9.

Thus, the appeal fails and is accordingly rejected. At this juncture, it is necessary to mention that a report has been received from the Central Jail, Jagdalpur, that the appellant having been completed his jail sentence have already released from jail on 20.09.2008, thus, no further steps is required to be taken.

Sd/- (P.Sam Koshy) Judge inder