the Preventive Officer, who detected the crime. He had given evidence before the court that on 31.3.1999 while himself and his companions, Excise Officials, were on patrol duty and when they reached near the house of one Narayanan Nair at Mythrapuram, near Udayagiri Temple road, they have seen that the appellant is walking towards them holding a plastic cover in his hand. This witness has further stated that on seeing the Excise Officials, the appellant tried to escape from the scene. He was waylaid and on questioning it is revealed that the plastic cover contained 20 packets of arrack each contained 150 ml. On preparing Ext.P1 mahazar, the said plastic cover was recovered and one of the packets was taken. It is revealed that the packet contained arrack and thereafter PW1 had taken sample from the packet which he had taken from the plastic cover. Further this witness has stated that he had also prepared Ext.P2 arrest memo and giving information to the wife of the appellant, appellant was arrested at the spot. This witness has also stated that the contraband article and the sample seized under Ext.P1 mahazar were produced before the court on the same day. This witness has further stated that investigation of the case
