Sri. Mahammad Iqbal Abdulrehaman Siddiqui & Ors. v. The State of Karnataka

the learned counsel that the prosecution case has not been proved bt the evidence of itnesses and therefore the accused are entitled for an order of acquittal. It is further submitted by him, despite E’cP 33, nov here raiding part3 informed the accused of their right to be searched in the presence of a Gazetted Officet and th reforc protisions of Section aO of the Narcotic Dru ;S and Psi chotropic Substances ct are not cow plied vith 6 The lci ned u s die, n the dir a reported in 2002 SCR (CrIminal) 628, herc r titc I th t ncr if t r rrui ict I c ttc i i i° d titc i rit 1 1 1ftr fT ) :6: orally, the provision of section 50 are not said to have been complied with and the accused are entitled for an order of acquittal.

7. The learned High Court government Pleader on the other hand submits that the evidence of P.W.2. who is a Gazetted Officer, clearly indicates that he was present at the time when search was made and that during the search, heroin (brown sugar) was seized from the possession of the accused. Therefore, he submits that the order of conviction does not suffer form any illegality or infirmity. He submits that the appeal may be dismissed.

8. On a credible information. Inspector of Police Narcotic Drug Unit, Corps of Detectives, Bangalore, proceeded towards Belgaum Bus Stand on 23.06.2007 at about 19:00 hours along with other raiding party. When he reached the platform, in the Bus Stand where buses going towards Bijapur and Bagalkot were parked, it was found that two persons were siting on the chair. _ • _ _ 0 ) C . C ( l “ E . ‘ ? C C C I D i - ) l C 9 C c — i C ) ? C 0 C ( 9 I 3- ? C I ( l E C ( - ) l C C ( i C ( o I * L ‘ — C ( i C ) l C 9 C ( — l C ( E C ( l E i C & 1 * ) l C - C ( - I 9 ’ i I L 9C C ( ) l ) l C C i C 0 - C ( C ( ‘ % i C C ( ) ? C l E C ( ’ i C - 9 . i C j — 9 . — 3 ) l C ? t i ( I D — * l C ( 3 * i C C C ( ( E 9 l E - . C 2 ( — 9 - P i C - 1 3 . 2 ‘ l E C ( m ? C C C ( ) l C l E - ) I ‘ i C l E - C ( ) l C 9 C ( C I ) ? C 9 t r l E 9 — : 9 ) ? C 3 l E * i C C C 3 i - C 0 l E C ( 3 * i C 3 - — 2 l E b - ? C c C C ( ( i C ) l C — C ( 1 C ( - C ( : b ? 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C ) l C — - , 9 l r E C I ? C I ( , ‘ , l E C ( c — - * C ( i C C ( ( i i C 0 ) l ) l C C ) l C i C - l E C ( C ( i C ? C C ( [ ( i C C ( — I D i - C I i C ? C ( ( i D - l E C ( C ( h T ( C C ( ( ? C D ) 9 l i C C ( i , . C C ( I L l E — ) l C — ) l C i C — b • ’ a 0 - C ( 9 — C I ( ’ r i C . * I L • , _ ) l C C ( i C C ( C I 3 ? C I ( C ( o C C ( ( . C ( l E o - C ( o C ( 0 i c - C ( 3( CE l l l E C E ( ) ? C ) / C u c ) ? C I D l E C I 0 - i ) l C D C ) l C ) 3 I i C C ( . i C o i C l r E C ( I C ( - 3( 9 C ( 3 * • . 0 , . ? C C C - ( - i C r ‘ C ( C I i C C I i C i C I - C i C ( ) l C c / C i C jI . : 9 - C I u c / C C ( ? C I ( i C C D u c l E ‘ i C ) l C i C C C ( ( - i C l E 0 . : — 9 ? C I ( C l ) , — N a 0 N H NaC L DC I N ND N 2 9- J C D C I D D C N N D CC I aD D N C . . NC D L C D C C < D C N L C D C I D a N a I D D C N N N - NaC DN . N I D 1o NC )r C C 9C D D C H 2 D C D C a < N . C C • D C DN C N 0 D C j 2 - N N 2 N 2 N N N D C N N 2 — < N N • N • a — 2 2N D C 9 2 9 N — — N N E I D C D 2C D — N C C N 2 D 2 0 N D C N N o — D C N D C D C NN D C 0 N 1 2 2 C . ) C i - N D C I N D D C I a D D C - L C - N 7 I D N . 2 C C P 9 N D C - N I D D C I D I D N N a - D C C C C N N D C N . 9 0 2 N i 2 . 2 C L C a 9 0 - N 2 C C D C L C N N a 0 I D D C D C I D D C I D D C i a i C 2 0 - I D N N N N N D C N — L C N N a 0 I D D C D C - a I D D C 2 C < 0 I D D C - N N a N C a 2 I l ; D C D D C C . — N a D - C D C N D C N D C D C Q * N ) C N D C 3 D C ) - C 2 1 1 N < N — N D C o - , , , r I D I D D C _ c D C 0 * j L C a I D D C - N D C N N D C 2 . D I a I D m t N ) C L C D C H I D D C D C L C N j N a a I D a a D C C — 2 L C i C D C r 0 I D D C N D C . 2 C D D C I L C . — N _ I D D C - I D C N D C N D C D C ) C N N D C L C D C 0 3 D C N H I D D C N 3 a I D D C — N 0 N D C L C D ° N D C 0 9 N I I D D . D C ° ) • ‘ — N N N r I D I D N I D 0 r r I D D C 1 . 2 N I D D C — N D C N N 0 N D I , _ I D ) C N D C r l D C C ) - ) C D C 0 D C N D C N 1 - I D D C L C r N L C D C ) C C < ) ; ( C N H I D D C N N L — C 3 — D C i 9 2 D C L C D C N 1 D C D I N I N N D N D C 1 $ N D C N N L C I D 0 - C C D C . D C N — D C — N ) C C N C r N D C N N a I D D C 2 P N D C L C . D C 1 D C N D C 2 0 2 D C D C N i - ) C 2 - 0 I D - ’ D 1 C I D D N o C N N C c E D NN ) C N N D C ) 2 C 2 D C D C C r D C , t r N N D C o - N D C N I D N D C 2 o : 2 I D I D N :9: (11011) as rccoercd from the possc ssion of accused No.1, Apart from the Nokia phone, no other materials were sewed from the possession of accused No. I There as no material seized from the possession of accused No2 Basavaraj. Thereafter, materials found in the possession of both the accused was held by the Police and the bags in which heroin was found re superscribed as Guptas Mehak Tea and the same as brown mix with yello colour powder and the same as weighing 1,016 grams. The value of the said powder in a international market was Rs, 1,00,00,000/ Thereafter, sample as removed from the said bag and seizc d for the purpose of testing and the remaining materials ie, I ,086 grams was separately packed. Thereafter, Black Diamond CTC Tea bag in the possession of the accused No 2 Basavaraj u as searched The same contained 1,018 gi ams of heroin the due of the said material international market ‘has hout Rs 1,0000 000/ Again the sample f 10 orams as tal €n from the oig, 1 i I s i c possis n l C l . L C i S C l C ( l C C C C / ( l C ) r C C l C * — , C l C C - l — C C C C C t ’ l C Q T ( ) C C l C ) 2 0 l C ) C — C T ) 9 ( C : ) C C C - 9 ( l C l l C C l C 2 : 9 ( C . i - C 9 ( . . C l C ) r C C — ) - ) C . l . . . . C i S C ) C ) H C : - ) C C : 9 C 0 l C C C C C ) i C . • 0 ) l C ) C : 9 1 t 2 j 9 ( ) C C - ) r C l C 1 . 2 C l C C r t ) C C C < o t r . C — C ’ T C ) r C r l l C C C C > : 9 * 2 l C t r . i C C ) r C — 0 C C l - C . — 2 : 9 C l C 2 , l a C l C , a C 9 ( 2 > C ) p _ C ) l C — C ) C l C 2 1 C C l - C C C C C ) r * C C l C C r C • l C ) C — l C + r C l C C — l . C l C ) C 0 Q . C - - C - C 0 l C C l C 2 i C 0 t r C a l C • l C ) C C C C l C C C ) ) * l C H r l C - r C C 0 ) C ) l C ) C l C ) l C ) C — l l C C 4 C C l C g l ) C C C ) C C Z 0 ) r C ) C - — C o l C ) C l C — - C - l C 9 ( ) C ) C 0 ) r C t r C 0 l — C C C ( - r C ) r C D C l C 9 ( 0 l C • ) C 4 l C l C ) / C ) - C l C l C ) 2 C - ) C l C l C ) r C C ) / C - C : - 2 . . C _ • ) C C - l C ) r C C C Ct t C C C ) l C l C 9 ( - C i C - l C H 0 C i C l C C - - 0 • , c — ) l C 5 ( C — l C ) ) C C • l C C ) C : r C C - 0 — 9 9 ( C l C — 2 C : 9 ) C C : 9 ) C C l C ) r C ) ’ C ( ) l C C l C r x c i C ) C C ) r C l l C C i - C 2 ) C ) l C 0 l C l : L C l l C C ) C ) l C 2 ) l l C C C l C l C ) C * - c C C j - 9 ( 2 — + - 9 ( i l C C l C i - l C l C 2 • . ) C C 1 C • • • 9 ( ( C C — 5 ( , . - L 9 ( ; ; • ) - l C C ) C C . 2 C C C t \\ \ “ 3 3 D C - — D C D C D C D C D C * C i D — D C t — — ) - t D C D C 3 3 C e C D C D C — e C — ) C ( l D D C ) D C 3 3 D C 0 ) K 0 r D C D C D C D C ) C D C • 3 ( ) - D C D C D C D C D C ) K - _ ( - 1 i e C D ( ) K I D C I D C - 2 e C e C . D C — — D C — D C ) l C D C D C ) C ( e C 0 3 : - — D C D C D C D C t - H 3 3 r D C -0 3 - 3 2 ) l C D C 3 3 - 2 D C a I * D C D C r . — l D D C 0 - 2 D C D C D C - D C D C D C e C D C 3 : D C D C . ( D C t - D C 0 — ) l D D C ) C ( — 3 : ) l C r D C D C D C . ÷ - 2 - - 2 D C D C H 3 3 : D C D C D C l c — D C D C D C D C D C ) 3 ( $ o D C 3 : ) l C D C D C D C I 3 3 ) l C e C D C ) C ( D C D C D C 0 ; i D D C D C 0 3 3 D C - 2 D C ; i D D C — l - H 0 5 5 — 0 l D — — 3 : r D C D C D C e C ) l C — 0 3 : 0 ) C ( D C D C C ) l C D C D C 9 i • - — D C D C • D C ) 3 ( e C D C “ - 3 3 e C ) 3 ( D I ( ) 3 D C D C 0 D C r — D C D C H D C D C D C D C ) 3 ( D C D C ( - ) 3 ( D C D C ) l C D C - - 0 D C ) 3 ( ) l C ) l C D C D C D C D C D C - , 0 c - 3 : D C D C C D e - C ( : • e C - q 3 : 3 : D C D C - D C . 1 0 O e C D C ) l C J - 0 — D C D C e C D C D C D C 9 ) C ( 3 3 - D C D C ) 3 ( - 2 ) 3 ( e C — 0 ) 3 ( D C D C — e C D C D C — 9 — ) 3 ( 0 D C 3 : - ) 3 ( D C 3 : D C D C e C ) 3 ( D C D C ) 3 ( 0 3 : e r c a D C D C a - e C ( ) - ) l C D C 0 c - 0 D C D - C D C 3 3 3 3 — e C 3 : e ( ) 1 ( - — e C ) K D C r D C D C 3 ( 2 3 : e C D C D C D C o L ) 3 ( e C e C D C D C — - 2 - 2 ( ) 3 ( e C - 2 3 : a D 0 D C D C - 2 H D C D C D C D C — ‘ D C D C 3 3 5 3 ( e C - — 2 D C D C 3 : ) i D K - D C D C D C 3 3 D C D C - D C • • ( e C 0 e C l D • 3 3 ( D C - 2 e C ( e i c - - e C i - ( l D e C ) l C — ) 3 ( ) K o - ‘ D C D C D C D C D C e C e C ( D C - 2 a i D e C ( - 2 e o D C D C r 0 _ l C 3 - “ D C - — ( a : e C D C - 2 D C — l D D C D C D- C D C 1 > l D - 3 ( D C D C 3 : e C D C K ) D C . D C 3 3 . ) D C . 3 3 D C D C D C - l D ) K l D r 3 3 1 D C • 3 3 ) 3 ( - 2 - 2 i D e C - - - 2 ( — e C ) D C K ) C “ - * r D C D C E 3 : i D D C c ) l C D C 3 : - D C D C D — C ) - e C ( ) 3 ( D C 3 : e C D C D C D C D C - 2 - ) 3 ( D C ) 3 ( ) ) e C ) 3 3 C - 2 D C - 2 ; j : 3 3 D C D C o a o ) 3 ( D C ) 1 ( D D C - 2 ) 3 ( D C 12: informed them that accused Nos. I and 2 were found possessing heroin. He has further stated that no incriminating materials were, seized from the person of accused Nos. I and 2 in his presence.

10. P.W.3 — Chandrayya Puranikmath, P.W.4 - Hanumant M. Kalligud and P.W.5 - Anand Annappa Shetty are the witnesses for the seizure. But all the witnesses have turned hostile to the case of prosecution. P.W.6 - Qopalkrishna R. Naik has also turned hostile to the case of the prosecution. So also P.W.7 — Ravi Somangouda Patil and P.W.8 — Harsha Mohan Oberoi. P.W.9 - Veeresh Ashok Pote has also turned hostile to the case of the prosecution.

11. P.W. 11 is the Public Relation Officer in New Panvel, New Mumbai. His evidence is in respect of accused Nos.3 and 4. P.W. 12 - Mazarhussain Mujawar is the holder of SIM No.9986803529 of Hutch Company and has stated that the said mobile was in the hand of accused No.!. P.W. 13 — S.K.Madiwalar is the Constabic 13 who was present at the time of the raid along with P.Ws.2 and 18. His evidence is similar to P.W.18. P.W. 14 - C.Mohan is the Head Constable of Corps of Detectives who has carried the materials to the Forensic Science Laboratory. Bangalore for examination. P.W. 15 is the Constable who has carried the First Information Report to the Court. P.W. 16 is the Constable, who has the materials from the Forensic Science Laboratory and handed over to the Investigating Officer. P.W. 17 has assisted in the investigation of the case and also was present at the time of raid and arresting the accused, registration of First Information Report and further investigation in the matter. P.W. 19 is the Police Sub-Inspector, who has registered the First Information Report on 25.06.2007 midnight.

12. It is from the evidence of the above witnesses that the learned Special Judge has found the accused guilty and has convicted them. a N N D C N N D C - — N Q ) * N D C D C . N D C ) C ) N t ‘ , a ) N ) i C N ) ) C C ) N N N 2 N N D C — N ) N ) N ) C o 0 N ) r N N 2 ) N D C — D C ) N D C I . a N C R C ) N r . N Q N 0 ) ) — C D 1 0 N D C ) D C N ) N ) N . ) — C N D C N 2 N N D C N ) • < ) * r N D C i ‘ ) N - O C N D C N ) N D C ) N , a N 1 ‘ ) - N D C 1 - D C . - D C ) N N ) N D C N D C N N - N ) N D C N D C ) N ) N ) N ) 0 . N D C D C g N r 0 N D C ) N N D C 0 : $ ) N N 9 C D D C N ) N D C ) C ) N N 0 a - ) N ) C ) N D C r ) N C < — N ) N D C . ) N D C N — - N C N N D C j - : “ — o * : - ) N , . ) . — N C R C ) N ) C N ) C N ) C N N • D C 1 D C — N N ) C 0 ) C ) D C N — ) C ) N . D C ) N N t ’ r ) N C C D C < ( N D C D C N ) ‘ D C . . r N - r . . ) D C N ) ) N N N ” r ) C N , . a ) N . _ : N : — ‘ - 2 ’ r ) D C N N D C * N ) C N 0 D C i - h T N ) N D C ) N . D C 0 l N D C N - N ) C N m ) N N ) N o D C ) N N . C N D C . . D C 0 D C N i . a N D C ) N ) C D C ) N , : . ‘ r ) N ) C - ) C D C , ) N ) D C N - D C N ) N N NN D1 N C D C ) ) )N C 0N 0NC D ) 0N ) N N )N 0NC D NNN ) N 0N N D C N L N N ) N ) ) C C a p * N 0 C D N 0 ) C 0 N ) . 3 D N N N ) N ) 0 N N : i ) C D C - 0 • D C 0 N N D C N . N a ) N c a N D C . r * ) N D C 1 N ) C 0 N N N D C • • • 0 : r ) N D C ) N 1 D C N D a C 0 — 2 - ) N E : ) N < D C N N D C N 2 — Q - — ) N 2 ? N N . h T ( ) N . N D C ) N ) N D C : ) C - ) 15: that he had informed the accused of their right to be searched in the presence of a Gazetted Officer.

14. Under the circumstances, the very raid conducted and seizure effected in respect of the crime is vitiated as observed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the decision reported in State of Delhi Vs. Ram Avtar @ Rana (2011 SAR (Criminal) 628), where it observed as follows: - “Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 — Sec. 50 — (Prior to amending Act, 9 of 2001) — Personal search - Petitioner has a right to be informed of the choice - This duty cast upon the officer is imperative — Failure of — Render the recovery of illicit substance illegal — Notice in writing u/sec. 50 - Appellant was informed that Gazetted officer or a Magistrate could be arranged for taking his search if he so required — This intimation can not treated as S :lb: communicating to the appellant that he had a right wider law, to be searched before the said authorities - Secret information - That accused was carrying samack — Police party had gone to conduct the raid — Accused who was coming on a scooter, had been stopped — Notice in writing was served — Conviction — Reversed by High Court - This appeal by State — Notice was not in confirmity with the provision of Sec. 50 - of the Act - Order of acquittal - Proper and upheld, appeal dismissed.

15. On a careful consideration of the above materials on record, I am of the opinion that accused are entitled for an order of acquittal and accordingly, this appeal is allowed.

16. The accused — appellants are acquitted of the offences punishable under Section 22(b) read with Section 8(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic S :17: Substances Act. 1985 and they are directed to be set at liberty forthwith, if they are not required in any other case.

17. Office is directed to transmit the operative portion of the judgment to the Central Jail, Belgaum and also to the learned Sessions Judge forthwith. Sdfr JUDGE Rsh/ Gab