Allowed

RAJESH,C.NO.3045,C.PRISON,TRIVANDRUM v. State of Kerala,Rep.by Public Prosecutor

Kerala HC2 Apr 2009CRL.A/2269/2008

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

In these appeals against conviction under the N.D.P.S. Act for drug trafficking, the High Court held that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the conspiracy or abetment by the second accused. Due to material defects in the evidence, specifically the suspicious testimony of PW5 and lack of corroboration, the appeals were allowed.

What did the court decide?

The judgment below setting aside conviction and sentencing the appellants to rigorous imprisonment and fines. Release directed for first accused. Second accused set at liberty.

RAJESH,C.NO.3045,C.PRISON,TRIVANDRUM Vs State of… — Narcotics (NDPS) | Kerala HC (2009)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT :

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.K.MOHANAN

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THURSDAY, THE 2ND APRIL 2009 / 12TH CHAITHRA 1931

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CRL.A.No. 2269 of 2008

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(S.C.NO.1147 OF 2007 OF the Court of the Special Judge, for trial of cases under the N.D.P.S.Act, Thiruvananthapuram dated 3.7.2008)

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APPELLANT/first accused:

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RAJESH,C.NO.3045, CENTRAL PRISON, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

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BY ADV. JAYAPRASAD M.R.[STATE BRIEF]

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RESPONDENT:

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STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM.

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BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SMT.K.L.LAKSHMI RANI.

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THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 05/03/2009, ALONG WITH

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CRL.A.NO.1663 OF 2008, THE COURT ON 02/04/2009 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

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V.K.MOHANAN, J.

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Crl.A.No. 2269 & 1663 of 2008

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Dated this the 2nd day of April, 2009

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J U D G M E N T

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These two appeals arise out of the judgment dated 3.7.2008 in Sessions Case No. 1147 of 2007 on the file of the Court

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of the Special Judge, for trial of cases under the N.D.P.S.Act, Thiruvananthapuram. Altogether there are two accused in the above Sessions Case. The first accused was found guilty under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (for short 'the N.D.P.S.Act') and the second accused was found guilty under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act and accordingly, both of them were sentenced.

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Challenging the above sentence, the first accused filed Crl.A.No.2269 of 2008 whereas the second accused filed Crl.A.No.1663 of 2008. The first accused preferred Crl.A.No.2269 of 2008 from the jail, while undergoing imprisonment in pursuance of the impugned judgment, whereas the second accused preferred Crl.A.No.1663 of 2008 through an Advocate of his own choice and when the above appeal came up for admission, this Court, by order dated 8.8.2008 in Crl.M.A.No.1888 of 2008 suspended the execution of the sentence and bail was granted in favour of him. As

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the appeals arise out of the same judgment, these appeals are heard together and being disposed of by this common judgment.

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The case of the prosecution is that on 20.10.2006 at about 6 p.m. near Desasevini Reading Room and Library situated 100 metres east of Sreekariyam Junction on the side of the Sreekariyam-Ulloor road, the first accused was found to be in possession of 2.5 Kgs. of hashish, a narcotic substance as entrusted to him by the second accused for the purpose of trafficking and thereby first accused had committed an offence punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the N.D.P.S.Act and the second accused has committed the offence punishable under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act. On the basis of the above allegation, Crime No.9 of 2006 was registered by the Excise Enforcement and Anti Narcotic Special Squad, Thiruvananthapuram for the above offence. After investigation, the Investigating Agency filed a report/complaint before the trial court and the trial court took cognizance of the case as S.C.No.1147 of 2007 under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) and Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act.

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When the accused appeared before the court below, originally, charges under Section 21(c) against the first accused

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and Sections 28 and 29 against the second accused under N.D.P.S.Act were framed and the same were read over and explained to them and they pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, charge against the first accused was amended as one coming under 20(b)(ii)(C) of the N.D.P.S.Act as per the order of the trial court in Crl.M.P.No.532 of 2008 and again fresh charge was read over and explained to them and they pleaded not guilty. Therefore, the prosecution adduced evidence consisting of the testimony of PWs.1 to 12 and the documentary evidence such as Exts.P1 to P24,P2(a),P4(a),P5(a),P22(a) and also identified and marked material objects such as MOs.1 to 6 and MOs.1(a) to 5 (a). When the incriminating circumstances, which emerged during the evidence of the prosecution, put to the accused, they denied the same. The first accused took a defence by stating that he has not committed any offence and he is innocent of the same. The second accused stated that he had no acquaintance with PW5 Jayakumari and according to him, he was seeing her for the first time in the court and he had flatly denied the allegation that he had handed over hashish and mobile phone to the said Jayakumari. No evidence either documentary or oral was adduced from the side of the defence except marking

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Exts.D1 to D3 contradictions in the evidence of PWs.5 and 11. On the basis of the materials and evidence on record and the contentions and rival pleadings, the trial court formulated 5 points for its consideration. After elaborate discussion and based upon the evidence and materials on record, the trial court found that the accused are guilty and accordingly, the first accused was convicted under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the N.D.P.S.Act and he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and also to pay a fine of Rs.1 lakh, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a further period of one year. The second accused was convicted under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act and he was also sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years each and also to pay a fine of Rs.1 lakh each, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year each under each section and the substantive sentences imposed against the second accused were directed to be run concurrently. The set off was allowed under Section 428 of the Cr.P.C. It is the above finding, conviction and sentence challenged by the accused by filing the above two separate appeals.

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As the first accused is undergoing imprisonment in pursuance of the impugned judgment and he preferred the appeal from jail, Advocate Mr.M.R.Jayaprasad is appointed as State Brief to prosecute Crl.A.No.2269 of 2008 for and on behalf of the appellant and thus, I have heard Advocate Mr.M.R.Jayaprasad and Sri.V.Venugopalan Nair, learned counsel appearing for the appellant/second accused in Crl.A.No.1663 of 2008 and also Smt.K.L.Lakshmi Rani, the learned Public Prosecutor.

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The prosecution case mainly depends upon the evidence of PW11 and other witnesses namely, PWs.1,2 and 7 to establish its case. PW11 was the Circle Inspector of Excise Department working in Excise Enforcement and Anti Narcotic Special Squad, Thiruvananthapuram at the relevant time. According to him, when he was doing patrol duty on 20.10.2006 along with PW1- the Excise Inspector, PW9- the Excise Guard and other Excise Officials and when they reached Sreekaryam at about 5.55 p.m., he had got information that a boy, aged 20 years, wearing jeens pant and shirt was standing near Desasevini Reading Room near Sreekaryam Junction with hashish, a narcotic substance. PW11 deposed that he had reduced the said

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information into writing and the same was proved as Ext.P23. According to PW11, thereafter he proceeded to that place and he saw the first accused holding a plastic bag in his hand and the same is identified and marked as MO5. First accused was found in the company of PW7. Since the appearance of the first accused was tallying with the description contained in the information received, he stopped the vehicle some distance away from the bus station which is situated in front of the Desasevini Library and Reading Room and proceeded towards the first accused. According to PW11, he had disclosed his identity to A1 and also conveyed the information, which he got, and further declared his intention to search the body of A1. PW11 stated that the accused was made aware of the right under Section 50 of the N.D.P.S.Act, but the first accused and PW7 did not insist for exercising their right under Section 50 and permitted PW11 to conduct the search. Thus, PW11 subjected himself to body search and thereafter, took MO5 bag from the hands of the first accused and on examining MO5 bag, he found MO1 packet containing black sticky substance and when opened the packet, he felt the smell of hashish. It is the further case of PW11 that thereafter, he tested the materials with the narcotic kit kept in the

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vehicle and he was convinced that it was hashish. He convinced the same to PW1 and other officials and also PW2 an independent witness and another witness present at that time. He had conducted the search in the presence of PW2 and another witness. PW11 deposed elaborately regarding the drawing of samples and seizure of the materials and sealing of the same. It is proved and identified MO5 cover in which MO1 packet was sealed and the sample packets, which were prepared and obtained after analysis, are identified as MOs.2 to 4 and the labels on them are MO2(a), MO3(a) and MO4(a) and the label on MO1 is MO1(a) and label on MO5 is MO5(a). According to PW11, thereafter he had made body search of PW7 and found MO6 series 40 rupees in his shirt pocket. Thus, by preparing Ext.P1 seizure mahazar, he had seized MOs.1 to 5 and MO6 series in the presence of PW2 and another. He had also prepared Ext.P12 search list of the articles seized. Thereafter, the first accused and PW7 were arrested and Ext.P10 arrest memo with respect to the arrest of the first accused was prepared and PW11 came to their office and registered Ext.P11 occurrence report as O.R.No.9 of 2006 against the first accused showing PW7 as the second accused for the offence punishable

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under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the Act. According to PW11, since PW7 was originally shown as second accused in the occurrence report, being a juvenile, he was produced before the Juvenile court and the first accused was produced before the regular Magistrate Court along with Ext.P14 remand report. PW7 was sent to Juvenile home through PW8. The thondi article as per Ext.P7 thondi list along with request was produced before the court on 21.10.2006 through PW8 and the same was returned to Excise Guard PW8 for producing the same before the court on 23.10.2006. Finally on 25.10.2006, it was sent to court through PW9 and the learned Magistrate has directed PW9 to produce the same before the Sessions Court and accordingly, PW9 produced the same before the trial court and the same was received by PW10. On the basis of Ext.P9 letter of the trial court, PW10 sent the samples for analysis of Forensic Science Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram through PW9 and accordingly, PW9 produced the same before the said laboratory and obtained Ext.P8 acknowledgment. Ext.P15 is the report obtained from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram, by which, it is certified that the samples contained hashish.

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According to PW11, during the course of investigation,

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it has come to his knowledge that the first accused had made telephone call to a lady in a mobile phone and on the basis of the mobile phone number, it was revealed that the mobile connection was from hutch connection and thus, PW11 conducted enquiry with the hutch company at Kochi and obtained Ext.P22(a) call details of the mobile phone with No.9846618209 along with Ext.P22 letter from the hutch company. During his enquiry, PW11 was told that the details of the phone connection can be ascertained from their franchise M/s.V.K.K.Trade Links, Thiruvananthapuram and on further enquiry, PW11 realised that the connection was issued from their sub dealer Faiziana Communication, Kaniyapuram which was conducted by PW6. Thus, PW11 went to Faiziana Communication, Kaniyapuram and seized Ext.P4 application given in the name of Sarasamma, 784, Enjikkal Veedu, Chathannoor with Ext.P4(a) photo of Jayakumari, PW5 and Ext.P5 photo electoral identity card of Sarasamma with Ext.P5(a) photograph of PW5 Jayakumari which was entrusted by the applicant for the purpose of getting mobile phone connection produced by PW6 along with Ext.P6 letter which he seized as per Ext.P16 seizure mahazar. On the basis of the above documents, PW11 conducted further investigation and he

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realised that the addressee shown in Exts.P4 and P5 died long ago and the identity card was relating to the mother of the second accused Chandran and those particulars were revealed when PW4 Radha, sister of the second accused was questioned. On continued investigation, PW11 had got further information that the photograph in Exts.P5 and P4 namely, P5(a) and P4(a) pertain to PW5 Jayakumari and on her questioning, it was further revealed that the photographs were given to the second accused who had assured to give employment and one day, he had given the mobile phone and told the said Jayakumari that two boys would come and they would call and accordingly, she received a call stating that they were waiting for her at Vetturoad. Accordingly, PW5 Jayakumari went to Vetturoad and found the second accused Chandran waiting there and he had entrusted MO5 cover with MO1 packet inside and told that he was waiting for the two boys and on seeing the two boys coming near to them, he entrusted the bag to her to be handed over to the boys and thereafter he left the place after receiving the mobile phone given to her. Thus, PW5 received MO5 cover with the packets inside as entrusted to her by the second accused and thereafter, she entrusted it to the first accused and thereafter she left the

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place. According to her, she came to know about the contents of the packets and MO5 cover as hashish only from the next day newspaper. Thus, according to the PW11, the investigation disclosed that the second accused has also involved in the crime and accordingly, the second accused was arrested on 10.5.2007 at 10 a.m. from a toddy shop bearing No.6/2007-08, Kadambattukonam and PW11 prepared Ext.P18 arrest memo. PW11 further deposed that on the arrest of the second accused and on his questioning, he gave Ext.P20 confession statement which was recorded under Section 67 of the N.D.P.S.Act. Thus, thereafter, he filed Ext.P17 report to add the second accused as the third accused in the occurrence report. Thereafter, PW11 secured the custody of the original second accused (PW7) and when he questioned, it was revealed that he had not really involved in the transaction and he had simply accompanied the first accused as requested by him. Thus, according to PW11, on realising the above fact, he filed Ext.P21 report before the Juvenile Court to drop the proceedings against PW7, the original second accused. Thereafter, PW11 produced the second accused along with Ext.P19 remand report. Ext.P24 is the intimation given to the immediate superior officer regarding the

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detection and arrest of original first and second accused in the Occurrence Report as required under Section 57 of the N.D.P.S.Act. The further investigation in this case was conducted by PW12. He verified the investigation conducted by PW11. PW12 conducted the enquiry about Ext.P3 photo identity card with PW3 Tahsildar, Kollam and obtained Ext.P2 attested copy of the register of photo identity card and Ext.P2(a) relates to Sarasamma, who is the mother of the second accused. PW12 conducted investigation and laid the charge against accused Nos. 1 and 2.

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When PWs.1 and 2 were examined, they deposed in terms of the deposition of PW11. PW7 also supported the prosecution case as such. Going by the evidence of PWs.1,2,7 and 11 and prosecution exhibits such as Exts.P7 thondy list,P12 search list, P10 arrest memo, the trial court found that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing the seizure of the contraband article from the first accused and on the basis of evidence of PW5 and PW11 and as per the documentary evidence such as Exts.P2,P2(a),P3,P4,P4(a),P5,P5(a) and Ext.P20 confession statement of the second accused, the trial court was of the opinion that the prosecution had succeeded in

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proving the involvement of the second accused in the commission of the crime and further proved the abetment and preparation of commission of the offence. Thus the trial court came into a specific finding that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the first accused was found to be in possession of 2.5 Kgs. of hashish which is a commercial quantity in violation of the provisions of N.D.P.S.Act and it has come into possession of the first accused as entrusted by the second accused as abetted and on preparation at his instance by him and thereby, the first accused had committed the offence punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the N.D.P.S.Act and the second accused had committed the offence punishable under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act.

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Mr..M.R.Jayaprasad, learned counsel appearing as State Brief for the first accused submitted that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove that the alleged seizure of the contraband article was strictly from the possession of the appellant/first accused and in accordance with the legal requirement. According to the learned counsel, since both the alleged seizure and the investigation were done by the same officer, great prejudice is caused to the accused and therefore,

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the investigation and the consequent trial are vitiated. Learned counsel further submits that the very genuineness of the prosecution case itself is under shadow of doubt and the prosecution has created false documents for the purpose of canvassing the conviction against the first accused. According to the learned counsel, though PW11 has stated that he went to the spot, in pursuance of the information which he received, along with other Excise Officers who were on patrol duty, the above claim of PW11 is not supported by PW1 another loyal witness to the prosecution. According to PW1, he was with the company of PW11 from the very starting of the patrol duty and till reaching at the spot from where the alleged contraband articles were seized and he had not noticed any receipt of information by PW11 during the journey and he had no occasion to notice the recording of any information by PW11 during their patrol duty. On the basis of this discrepancy, learned counsel submits that the very basis of the prosecution case itself is doubtful. Against the seizure, learned counsel further submits that though two independent witnesses were shown in Ext.P1 seizure mahazar, only one witness was selected to be examined in the court and the other witness was given up. According to the learned counsel, PW2, who was

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examined to prove the seizure and arrest of the accused, is a highly interested witness procured for the above purpose. PW2 is a bar employee and he is very loyal and submissive to the prosecution. On the other hand, according to the learned counsel, there is no explanation from the prosecution in not examining the other witnesses. Therefore, learned counsel submits that regarding the seizure of the contraband article from the possession of the first accused, there is no independent evidence so as to corroborate the evidence of PW11. Another point raised by the learned counsel for the first accused is that the alleged seizure was conducted in violation of the statutory mandate contained in Section 50 of the N.D.P.S.Act. According to the learned counsel, apart from the very claim of PW11 that the first accused was apprised of his right under Section 50, there is no evidence to show that the alleged seizure was effected in accordance with the statutory mandate and procedure contemplated by Section 50. Hence, the seizure itself is vitiated and consequently, the accused are entitled to get acquittal. In the alternative, learned counsel further submits that even if it is admitted; not conceded that MO5 bag and the contents thereon were seized from the possession of the first accused, absolutely

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there is no evidence to show that the first accused had possessed the bag with the knowledge that it contains the contraband article namely, hashish. The first accused/appellant in Crl.A.No.2269 of 2008 in his appeal memorandum which was prepared from the jail at his instance in ground No.4, it is stated that the appellant has no knowledge about the contents of the packet which was entrusted to him. It is also submitted that “ the second accused has very cunningly enacted the entire drama in which the appellant was made a scape goat .” According to the learned counsel, the prosecution has miserably failed to establish that the first accused was in conscious possession of the contraband article. In support of the argument advanced on the basis of Section 50 of the N.D.P.S.Act., the learned counsel placed reliance upon the decision reported in Ravindran @ John v. Superintendent of Customs [AIR 2007 SC 2040; 2007(3) KLT SN 11 (Case No.13) SC]. Thus, according to the learned counsel, the prosecution has miserably failed to prove that the contraband article was seized from the possession of the first accused and therefore, the finding of the court below that the first accused has committed the offence punishable under Section 20 (b)(ii)(C) of the N.D.P.S.Act is liable to be set aside and he is

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entitled to an acquittal.

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Mr.V.Venugopalan Nair, learned counsel appearing for the second accused in Crl.A.No.1663 of 2008 vehemently argued that the conviction and sentence imposed by the court below against the second accused is diametrically opposed to the law, facts, evidence and circumstances involved in the case. According to the learned counsel, the court below has not appreciated the evidence properly and the same resulted in gross mis-carriage of justice. According to the learned counsel, the approach of the trial court and its finding, that evidence of PW5 coupled with EXts.P4,P4(a),P5,P5(a),P3,P2,P2(a) and P20 confession statement of second accused that he had made arrangements to entrust the contraband article to the first accused through PW5 and thereby, he abetted the commission of offence and made preparations for the commission of offence, are proved beyond reasonable doubt, are baseless and contrary to the real fact and the evidence on record. Learned counsel very much argued that absolutely, there is no allegation or any statement and evidence to prove any connection between Accused Nos.1 and 2. Therefore, according to the learned counsel, even if the contraband article is claimed to have seized

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from the possession of first accused, absolutely there is no evidence to come to a conclusion that it was the second accused who abetted A1 for committing the offence. Learned counsel further submitted that the allegation of the prosecution that A2 obtained telephone connection from PW6 cannot be believed for a moment. Learned counsel submits that the persons like PW6 are not expected to issue mobile phone connection without verifying the records and also the identity of the person. In support of the above contention, learned counsel invited the attention of this Court to the deposition of PW6 which says that

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“.........അപ�ക ക��ട�ത ആള വന�ല മ�ത�പമ കമ�ബ�ല

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�ണകന ക��ട�ക��യ�ള�. ....... '' Learned counsel further argued that the person namely Hasim was not questioned by the prosecution and as such, there is no evidence as to who submitted the application form for obtaining the mobile connection. Learned counsel pointed out that though PW11 has stated about the calls made through the mobile phone, he did not conduct any investigation to trace out the person to whom the call was made before and after the seizure. According to the learned counsel, that is a serious lapse on the part of the

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investigating officer and if a proper investigation was conducted, the real culprits would have been identified. Learned counsel pointed out that PW5 in her 161 statement did not state about the handing over of the mobile phone, travel to Vetturoad, seeing the second accused and the entrustment of MO1 packet with MO5 cover to PW5 by the second accused etc. So according to the learned counsel, the evidence of PW5 cannot be accepted. Learned counsel further submits that after the arrest of the second accused, he was under the custody of PW11 and after recording Ext.P20 statement, he did not get any opportunity to retract the same till he filed a complaint before the District Collector. So, according to the learned counsel, the complaint filed before the District Collector can be treated as his retracted statement against Ext.P20. According to the learned counsel, in the evidence of PW4, there is no deposition to the effect that the second accused has taken the photo identity card of their mother. Learned counsel submits that the trial court failed to find that the accusation against the second accused is a foisted one at the instance of PW5 so as to save herself from the penal liability. According to the learned counsel, many of the findings of the trial court are merely based upon surmises and conjectures. Thus,

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according to the learned counsel, the prosecution has miserably failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that it was the second accused who entrusted MO1 packet in MO5 cover to PW5 to be handed over to the first accused and the appellant/second accused has abetted and made preparation for commission of the crime. Therefore, according to the counsel, the finding of the court below that the appellant/second accused has committed the offence punishable under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act is absolutely illegal and incorrect and such findings are unsupported by any evidence or materials.

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Stoutly opposing the arguments advanced by both the counsel for first and second accused, Smt.K.L.Lakshmi Rani, learned Public Prosecutor submits that the finding of the court below is absolutely correct, legal and supported by th evidence and materials on record. Learned Public Prosecutor submits that the seizure of a substantially huge quantity, namely 2.5 Kgs. of hashish, a narcotic drug was in pursuance of the information received by PW11. EXt.P23 information is a contemporaneous document prepared by PW11 who ensured the correctness and legality of the very basis of the prosecution case. Learned Public Prosecutor submits that first accused was identified on the basis

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of the description given in Ext.P23 information with respect to his dress. The seizure of the contraband article and arrest of the first accused was specifically proved through the deposition of PW11, another official witness PW1 and the evidence of independent witness namely PW2 and also through the evidence of PW7, who was originally the second accused in the Occurrence Report, found in the company of the first accused. Thus, the substantial evidence of PW11 and PW1 are corroborated by the independent evidence, namely, the deposition of PW2 and also the evidence of PW7. These evidences are further corroborated by the contemporaneous documents like Ext.P23 information, EXt.P1 seizure mahazar and also the arrest memo of the first accused. Thus, according to the learned Public Prosecutor, the prosecution has succeeded in proving its case against the first accused without any doubt. Learned Public Prosecutor submits that PW1 during his chief examination mentioned about the information which was received by PW11. So the contention of counsel for the first accused that PW1 did not note the recording of information is not correct. According to the learned Public Prosecutor, the evidence of PW1 and PW11 are sufficient to prove the seizure and their evidence is further corroborated by

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the independent evidence namely, PW2 and simply because PW2 being a bar employee, his evidence cannot be treated as interested one and though PW2 was subjected to extensive cross-examination, nothing was brought to discredit his version. It is also the case of learned Public Prosecutor that Section 50 of the N.D.P.S.Act has no application in the present case as there was no seizure pursuant to the search of the person of accused No.1. It is also the case of the learned Public Prosecutor that the prosecution has established and proved the seizure of the contraband article from the possession of the first accused and therefore, the prosecution is not bound to prove that he was in conscious possession of the same. According to the learned Public Prosecutor, in view of Section 54 of the N.D.P.S.Act, it is for the first accused to give a correct account to the satisfaction of the court as regarding his possession. Therefore, according to the learned Public Prosecutor, none of the arguments raised for and on behalf of the first accused are sustainable and the same are liable to be rejected.

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In reply to the arguments of the learned counsel for the appellant/the second accused, the learned Public Prosecutor submits that second accused is the master brain

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behind this trafficking of hashish involved in this case. Learned Public Prosecutor, on the basis of the evidence and materials on record, explained as to how the prosecution has succeeded in tracing out the role of second accused in this case. According to PW11, during his investigation, he got some lead regarding the phone call made by the first accused to a mobile phone with No.9846618209. The investigation conducted, based upon such lead, helped PW11 to trace out the connection of second accused with the alleged offence. Thus, according to the prosecution, it was the second accused who made Ext.P4 application for mobile connection in the address of his expired mother, but clandestinely shows the photo of PW5 in the place of the addressee and thus, he obtained mobile connection from PW6. Thus, on the basis of the evidence of PWs.4,5 and 6 and also on the basis of the documentary evidence namely, Ext.P22 (a) call details, Ext.P22 letter from the Hutch company, Ext.P4 application given in the name of Sarasamma, the mother of second accused and PW4 and Ext.P4(a) photo of PW5/Jayakumari, Ext.P5 photo electoral identity card of Sarasamma with Ext.P5(a) photograph of PW5, Ext.P6 letter and Ext.P16 seizure mahazar, the prosecution has succeeded in

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establishing the prominent role of A2 in the commission of the offence. Besides the above documents, in Ext.P20 voluntary statement of second accused recorded under Section 67 of the N.D.P.S.Act, A2 has confessed his role of entrusting the contraband article with PW5 to be handed over to A1. So according to the learned Public Prosecutor, by the above evidence, the oral as well as the documentary which are contemporaneous, the prosecution has proved the offence under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act. against the second accused. Therefore, according to the learned Public Prosecutor, the trial court, after elaborate consideration of evidence and materials on record and on appreciation of the same, came to a conclusion that A2 has committed the offences which are charged against him and therefore, no interference of this Court is warranted.

¶104

I have carefully considered the arguments advanced by both the counsel for the appellants and also the learned Public Prosecutor. I have perused the evidence and materials on record.

¶105

It is to be noted that on the basis of the materials produced by the investigating agency before the court below, the

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court below framed charges against the first accused under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the N.D.P.S.Act and also under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act against the second accused. The allegation raised by the prosecution is that on 20.10.2006 at about 6 p.m., the first accused was found in possession of 2.5 Kgs. of hashish, a narcotic substance as entrusted with him by the second accused for the purpose of trafficking and thus, he was found with the contraband article near Desasevini Reading Room and Library situated 100 metres east of Sreekariyam Junction on the side of the Sreekariyam-Ulloor road and the second accused has caused such offence to be committed and in such attempt, he had done many acts for the commission of offence and thereby, the second accused committed the offences punishable Under Sections 28 and 29 of the N.D.P.S.Act. As stated earlier, the prosecution mainly relied upon the evidence of PWs.1,2,7 and 11 and also the documentary evidences such as Exts.P23,P1,P12 search list, Ext.P10 arrest memo and Ext.P11 occurrence report to prove the seizure and arrest of the first accused. Before going into the details and examining the merits of the case, it is just and proper to peruse the charge framed by the trial court which reads as follows:-

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“That on 20-10-2006 at about 6 p.m. 100 metres east from Sreekariyam junction along Sreekariyam-Ulloor road in Ulloor Village, Thiruvananthapuram Taluk No.1 of you along with one Prathap were found to be in possession of 2.500 Kgs. of hashish for the purpose of sale as entrusted by No.2 of you and thereby both of you have committed the offence punishable u/S.20(b)(ii)(C) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and within my cognizance.

¶112

Secondly that on the same date and time No.2 of your had conspired with No.1 and Prathap and entrusted the hashish for the purpose of sale to them in violation of the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and thereby both of you have committed the offence punishable u/S.28 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and within my cognizance.”

¶113

(emphasis supplied)

¶114

From the above, it is crystal clear that even according to the prosecution, the contraband article was entrusted with A1 by A2 in pursuance of a conspiracy between the second accused and accused No.1 and the said Prathap. Now, let us examine the finding of the court below which can be seen from para 23 of the judgment particularly in page No.23 which runs, “In view of the discussions made above, it can be safely concluded that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the first accused was found to be in possession of 2.5 Kgs. of hashish which is a commercial quantity in violation of the provisions of

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the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and it has come into possession of the first accused as entrusted by the second accused as abetted and prepared by him and thereby first accused had committed the offence punishable under Section 20(b)(ii)(C) of the Act and the second accused had committed the offence punishable under Sections 28 and 29 of the Act . ” (emphasis supplied) Thus, the finding itself of the court below would show that there is no finding to the effect that the entrustment was made based upon conspiracy hatched among the accused. Of course, there is no legal bar for the trial court in coming to a finding deviating from the charges framed provided there is ample, convincing and sufficient evidence. Thus, in these appeals, the above finding of the court below has to be examined on the basis of the above allegations and the materials on record.

¶118

Going by the allegations of the prosecution and the charge framed against the accused, it can be seen that the main role in the commission of offence is attributed against second accused since according to the prosecution, there was a conspiracy hatched among the accused and in pursuance to such conspiracy, second accused entrusted the contraband article with

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first accused and the said Prathap and thus it was seized from the possession of the first accused. At the outset, it is to be noted that there is no finding of the court below regarding the conspiracy and according to the court below, the first accused was found in possession of the contraband article as entrusted and abetted and prepared by second accused. So, let us examine firstly how far the prosecution has succeeded in proving the allegation against second accused. Admittedly, second accused was not arrested from the spot or no seizure was effected from his possession. According to PW11, on questioning PW7, the original second accused, he had stated that the first accused was unable to read and write and for the purpose of making a telephone call, the first accused took him and according to Rajesh/the first accused, the telephone number was “9846618209”. On calling in this telephone number, a lady came and handed over a plastic cover to first accused. Thus, PW11 conducted an enquiry and found that the said mobile connection was from Hutch company and he conducted further enquiry and found that Ext.P4 application for mobile connection was given in the name of one Sarasamma with Ext.P4(a) photo of Jayakumari/PW5 and PW11 further deposed that Ext.P5 photo

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Electoral Identity Card of Sarasamma with Ext.P5(a) photograph of PW5 Jayakumari, which was entrusted by the applicant for the purpose of getting the mobile phone connection, produced by PW6 along with Ext.P6 letter which he seized as per Ext.P16 seizure mahazar. According to PW11, the addressee shown in Exts.P4 and P5 died long ago and the identity card was related to the mother of the second accused. Thus, according PW11, he had questioned the person shown in photograph Exts.P5 and P4 namely, Exts.P5(a) and P4(a) who is PW5 Jayakumari and on her questioning, she had stated that the second accused assured employment to her and one day, he had given the mobile phone and told the said Jayakumari that two boys would come and they would call her and accordingly, she received the call stating that they were waiting for her at Vetturoad. PW11 says that PW5 further told him that she went to Vetturoad and saw the second accused waiting there and thus he entrusted MO5 cover with MO1 packet inside with Jayakumari and asked her to hand over the same to the boys and he left the place. Besides the above, the prosecution also pressed into service Section 67 statement of second accused, namely, Ext.P20 confession statement of the accused to prove the case against him. Besides the above, there

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is no other evidence to connect the second accused with the alleged transaction. Even the said evidence does not disclose anything to the effect that second accused met first accused and abetted him in any manner to commit the offence.

¶128

Learned counsel for the second accused pointed out that those versions of PW5 cannot be believed even for a moment because she had made substantial improvements from her original statement. During the cross examination for and on behalf of first accused, PW5 has stated that she was questioned after the incident and her statement was recorded and the same

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was read over to her. She has further stated that

¶130

“............ചത�ന എന!ക" Phone �ന!ര�കനന�$ ആ Phone-ല �യന�ര വ!ള!ക�കമന�$ അങകന �യന�ര Phone -ല എകന വ!ള!ച!ര �ന� എന �$ അ� � സ$�ന!ച�ണ" കവട� പ/�ഡ!പ1ക" ഞ�ന പ��യക�ന�$ അവ!കട ചത�കന �ണ�കവന�$ ചത�പന�ട" സ$സ�ര!ച" ക��ണ!ര!ക�പ4�ള 2 �യന�ര അവ!കട വന�കവന�$ ചത�ന ഒര� ക��! എക6 �യ!ല �ന" �യന�കര ഏ1"�!കണകമന�$ �/ഞ ��ര9ങള Excise Officer എകന പച�ദ9$ കചയ"�പ;�ള �/ഞ� ക��ട�ത!ര�ന�. അങകന ന!ങള �/ഞ��യ! ന!ങള�കട കമ�ഴ!യ!ല ��ണ�ന!ക=ങ!ല എക?ങ!1�$ �/യ�ന�പണ� (Q) ഞ�ന �/ഞ� ക��ട�ത!ര�ന�. (A) ......

¶131

She further added ,

¶132

“............. എകന ക��! ഏല�!ച" ക��ട�പകണ ആള!ക6 പ�ര� �/ഞ � �ന!ര �ന!=. ആ �യന�രട�ത" ഏല�!കണകമന� മ�ത�പമ �/ഞ�ളള�. ത��! ചത�ന

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ര�പBഷ!കന ഏല�!കണകമന� �/ഞ" ഒര� ക��!യ�$ എക6 �യ!ല �ന!= . Excise ഉപദE�ഗസന�ര എകന പച�ദ9$ കചയ"�പ;�ള സ$ഭവദ!വസ$ ചത�ന എക6 �യ!ല Plastic �വര �ന!ട" ര�പBഷ!ക6 �യ!ല ഏല�!ക�ന �/ഞ� എന� ന!ങള �/ഞ� ക��ട�ത!ട�പണ� Q) അങകന ഞ�ന �/ഞ� ക��ട�ത!ട!=. ര�പBഷ!ക6 പ�കര�ഴ!ക� ��ക! ��ര9$ ഞ�ന �/ഞ � ക��ട�ത!ര�ന�. ര�പBഷ!ക6 പ�ര" അന � വന സ�/�ണ" �/ഞ� �ന�".(A ..........) ”

¶136

During the cross examination of PW5 on behalf of second

¶137

accused, it is brought on record that many of the statement before the court was not seen in the statement given to the excise personnel. She had also stated that

¶138

“........ Excise ഉപദE�ഗസന�ര എകന പച�ദ9$ കചയ"�പ;�ള ത��!ഫ1മ�യ! 1000/ര�� ര�കമന" �/ഞ!ട�ണ". 100/- ര�� മ�ത�പമ �ന!ട�ളള� എന� ഞ�ന �/ഞ� ക��ട�ത!ട!=. .............”

¶139

She had also stated that

¶140

“.......... ഈ ��1ഘടത!ല ഭരത�വ" എക6 ��കട ഉണ�യ!ര�ന!=, �!ണങ! പവക/ ��മസമ�യ!ര�ന�. ................”

¶141

Thus, going by the evidence of PW5, it is crystal clear that she had made substantial improvements, when she was examined in the court, from her earlier statement before the Investigating Officer. She had also admitted that she was offered Rs.1000/- for the work assigned to him, but she was paid only Rs.100/-. If the

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improved version of PW5 in her deposition is excluded, absolutely there is no evidence to connect the second accused with the transaction. On the other hand, based upon the admission made by PW5, if the investigating officer has taken proper care, and an investigation was conducted in that direction, I firmly believe that her position would not have been as a witness. There is no explanation forthcoming from PW11 for such lapse. Going by the evidence of PW6 and the materials like Ext.P4 application, Ext.P6 letter and Ext.P16 seizure mahazar, there is nothing to show that it was the second accused who filed

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the application for the mobile connection in the name of his mother Sarasamma and it was second accused who pasted the photograph of Jayakumari PW5 in those records. So the evidence of PW5 and other materials indicated above are not sufficient to connect second accused with the alleged transaction.

¶146

During the trial as well as in this court, the second accused has taken several contentions against the admissibility of Ext.P20 confession statement of the second accused. According to him, he was constrained to give such statement because of the threat and pressure exerted upon him by the investigating agency. According to the learned counsel for

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second accused, he had no occasion to retract from Ext.P20 confession statement because from the date of arrest itself, he was under custody and he had timely made representation before several authorities when he got such opportunity. During the pendency of the hearing of this appeal, the second accused/appellant in Crl.A.No.1663 of 2008 filed a petition with a prayer to accept Annexures A1 and A2 as evidences and the said petition is supported by an affidavit. Annexure A2 is a copy of the confession statement of A1 which is not produced by the prosecution during the trial. In Annexure A2, first accused has

¶150

stated that

¶151

“......... .........ഈ �ഞ�വ" പ1ഹ9$ തQR��ര9ത" ക��ണ" ഏല�!ച�ല 1000 ര�� എന!ക" നല��കമന" ആ സ"ത�R �/ഞ!ര�ന�. പ��1Rസ" �!ട!ക��യ�കണങ!ല എകന B�മ9ത!ല ഇ/ക�കമന" ആ പചച! �/ഞ!ര�ന�. പചച!യ�കട പ�ര" �9ഷ"ണമ എപന� മപU� ആണ". ..................”

¶152

It is relevant to note that no way in Annexure A2, the name of second accused is mentioned. Annexure A2 is not disputed by the Prosecutor. But the same cannot be considered as an evidence, without putting the same to the Investigating Officer. On consideration of the admission made by PW5 and the above

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portion of the confession statement of the first accused, this Court is of opinion that the prosecution has suppressed the true affairs of the case and consequently, the prosecution case is not free from doubt. On a reading of Ext.P20, it can be seen that the same cannot be treated as a voluntary confession statement. According to the above statement, he is not aware as to who entrusted with him the hashish. It is also stated in the said statement that he had sold the mobile telephone to one man and he is not aware of the further details of the said person. There is nothing discernible from the above statement regarding any meeting of mind between himself and the first accused or any other details to show that he had abetted A1 for the commission of the said offence. So, the incriminating statement contained in Ext.P20 regarding the entrustment of hashish with PW5 Jayakumari and the affixing of photograph of Jayakumary in the identity card of his mother etc. has to be treated as only creation of the investigating agency. There is nothing in Ext.P20 to the effect that he had made an application for mobile connection. So Ext.P20 is no way helpful for the prosecution to connect the second accused with the alleged seizure, abetment and preparation for the commission of the offence. Therefore, the

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prosecution evidence is insufficient to connect the second accused with the offence alleged against him and available materials are not sufficient to prove his role in the commission of offence.

¶159

The allegation against the first accused is that 2.5 Kg. of hashish was seized from his possession by PW11 which was entrusted with him by second accused. I have already found that the prosecution has failed to prove the allegation that second accused had hatched conspiracy with first accused or abetted him or prepared for the commission of offence alleged. The only evidence adduced by the prosecution to substantiate the allegation against first accused is that of the evidence of PW1,2 and 11 and also certain documents such as Ext.P1 mahazar, Ext.P7 thondi list, Ext.P10 arrest memo, Ext.P12 search list and Ext.P23 information. In this juncture, it is relevant to note that though the prosecution has recorded the confession statement of first accused which is referred above and not disputed by the prosecution, it was not produced along with the prosecution evidence, documents for the scrutiny of the court. If the seizure is excluded for the time being, absolutely there is no evidence as to how first accused and Prathap happened to be

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reached in the place of occurrence. According to the prosecution, they came there in pursuance of the conspiracy that was hatched between A2 and A1 and the said Prathap. There is no evidence for such conspiracy. The evidence of PW5 is not free from doubt and her evidence cannot be safely relied on in support of the prosecution case, especially to find that she entrusted the contraband drug with first accused. I have already seen that she had made substantial improvement while making depositions before the court. In Ext.P20 confession statement of A2, he had not even mentioned the name of the first accused and PW7. Therefore, the prosecution case regarding the presence of first accused and PW7 at the place of occurrence is doubtful and the same is not proved beyond the shadow of doubt.

¶163

According to PW11, while he was on patrol duty

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on the alleged date along with PW1 and other Excise officials, he received information about the trafficking of hashish. Ext.P23 is the information. As pointed out by the learned counsel for the first accused, PW1 was along with PW11 right from the starting from their office, but when PW1 was examined, he had mentioned nothing about the receipt of information by PW11 and he had also not seen PW1 reduced into writing such information.

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So, the claim and evidence of PW11 that he had received prior information is not corroborated by the version of his own companion who is an official witness. Regarding the seizure, the only independent evidence cited and examined by the prosecution is PW2. The alleged seizure was about 6 O' clock on 20.10.2006. During the cross examination, he had stated that he came to Trivandrum in connection with his work and he was waiting in the bus stop as directed by one of his friends and he was waiting for such friend. He had also stated that there was a bar hotel in the name of Green Park Bar near the Sreekariyam bus stop and he came at the spot connected with his employment in that bar. He had also stated that he had worked in that bar hotel. It is his deposition that he had joined for work in that bar after two weeks from the date of the seizure. On the basis of the above evidence, the learned counsel submits that being a bar employee, the prosecution has hired PW2 who is at the disposal of Excise officials and the prosecution has chosen to cite and examine him only to prove the seizure. It has also come out in evidence that besides PW2, another man was made as a witness for the seizure and the prosecution has not examined that person. Learned counsel submits that the prosecution has given

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up the other witness as he is not willing to give false evidence as the prosecution has done through PW2 and therefore, the prosecution has chosen to examine PW2. Going by the evidence of PW2, who is a chance witness who failed to give proper account for his presence at the relevant time, it is not safe to act upon such a witness when it was established that the Excise officials have access to such witnesses. Even if investigation was conducted in the proper and effective manner and if first accused is subjected to proper interrogation, the court would have got best evidence and materials regarding his involvement in the alleged offence. It is not a case where the first accused was not questioned under Section 67 of the N.D.P.S.Act. But, he was questioned and his statement was recorded under Section 67. However, such statement was not produced before the court by the prosecution. No explanation is forthcoming in not marking the said statement. On behalf of the second accused, the statement of first accused was produced before this Court which I have already indicated above. But, in that statement, there is nothing incriminatory in nature against the first accused. But the statement contained therein implicated a lady who is alleged to have entrusted with him the contraband article. The investigating

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officer has not conducted any investigation in that direction. Thus, on an overall assessment of the entire prosecution case based upon the available materials, it can be seen that the prosecution has miserably failed to find out the source of hashish, a contraband article and as to how it was resulted in the seizure. The prosecution case, because of the defects noted earlier, is not free of doubt and hence the first accused is entitled to the benefit of doubt.

¶174

In this juncture, it is apposite to recollect the charge framed by the court below against the accused which I have already referred. As per the charge, the first accused was found in the alleged possession of the contraband article as entrusted by second accused in pursuance of a conspiracy among them. But there is no such finding of conspiracy by the court below as the prosecution failed to substantiate such allegation. If that be so, it is crystal clear that the main plank of the prosecution has broken and therefore, the trial court cannot reconstruct the case in favour of the prosecution so as to convict the first accused with the aid of Sections 28 and 29, on the allegation of abetment, at the instance of second accused. It is also seen that there is no evidence or material to show that the

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second accused had abetted the first accused. Therefore, this Court cannot approve the finding of the guilt arrived at by the court below against first and second accused with the aid of Section 29 abetment.

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Under the circumstances mentioned above and in view of the materials and evidence discussed and referred above, I am of the view that the prosecution has miserably failed to establish the allegation against the accused and to prove the offences charged against them beyond reasonable doubt and consequently, the appellants/accused are entitled to get benefit of doubt and therefore, the finding arrived on by the court below regarding the guilty of the accused is not sustainable. Accordingly, the order of conviction passed by the court below is set aside.

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In the result, these appeals are allowed. The judgment dated 3.7.2008 in S.C.No.1147 of 2007 on the court of Special Judge for trial of cases under N.D.P.S.Act, Thiruvananthapuram is set aside and the appellants/accused are acquitted from all the charges levelled against them. As the conviction and sentence passed by the court below against the first accused is set aside, he is entitled to get release from the

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jail. Therefore, there will be a direction to release the appellant in Crl.A.No.2269 of 2008/the first accused forthwith if he is not required in any other case. As the second accused is also acquitted, the bail bond, if any, executed by him will stand cancelled and he is set at liberty.

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2^nd April, 2009.

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V.K.Mohanan, Judge

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MBS/

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V.K.MOHANAN, JJ.

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Crl.A.Nos.2269 & 1663 OF 2008

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J U D G M E N T

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DATED: 2-4-2009

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In this juncture, it is apposite to recollect the charge framed by the court below against the accused which I have already referred. As per the charge, the first accused came in the alleged possession of the contraband articles as understood by second accused in pursuance of a conspiracy. But the court itself came to a conclusion that there is no such conspiracy as the prosecution failed to establish the same. If that be so, it is crystal clear that the main plank of the prosecution has been broken and therefore, the trial court cannot reconstruct the case in favour of the prosecution so as to convict the first accused with the aid of Sections 28 and 29 generally means, the abetment. at the instance of second accused. It is also seen that there is no evidence or material to show that the second accused had abetted the first accused. Therefore, I cannot approve the finding of the guilt arrived at by the court below against first and second accused with the aid of Section 29 abetment.

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V.K.MOHANAN, J.

Crl.A.No. of 200

Dated this the day of February, 2009

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J U D G M E N T