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Delhi District Court

Notices. Decision In Om Prakash vs . State Iii (2014) Ccr on 4 April, 2018

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        IN THE COURT OF SH.NARINDER KUMAR
             SPECIAL JUDGE­2 NDPS ACT
     (CENTRAL DISTRICT), TIS HAZARI COURT, DELHI

Case No. 27625/16
SC No.    80/13
FIR No. 13/13
PS        Special Cell
State v. Mukesh & Ors.
U/s 21, 25 & 29 of NDPS Act

In the matter of:­

State

Versus

1.      Mukesh @ Ajay, 
        S/o Sh. Pappu 
        R/o H.No. C­6/109, Sultanpuri, 
        Delhi.

2.   Validad Khan @ Balidas, 
     S/o Sh.  Sultan Khan, 
     R/o H.No. Bisalpur Road, 
     Mirdhan Mohalla Faridpur, 
     Bareilly, UP 
Also at:
     Village Behra PS Faridpur, Bareilly, UP.
                                    2  


3.    Mohd. Yasin
      S/o Mohd. Safi,
      R/o H. No. 1763, Gali Ghantewali, 
      Pharai Bhojala, Turkman Gate, 
      Bazar Chitlikabar,
      Delhi­ 110006.                  ....Accused Persons


Date of Institution : 12.08.2013
Date of Judgment : 04.04.2018



                             JUDGMENT

Accused   Mukesh   has   been   facing   trial   for offences   under   Section   21   and   25   of   Narcotic   Drugs   and Psychotropic Substances Act (hereinafter referred to as Act) on the accusation that on  17.03.2013,  at about 1.10 pm, when  apprehended by Special Cell  in waiting hall of Old Delhi Railway Station, he was found in possession of 1 kg of heroin and further that on 18.03.2013, at about 5 pm, he led   the   police   party   to   his   tenanted   house   no.   6­C/109, Sultanpuri, Delhi and got recovered from there 500 grams of heroin, from an iron box lying there.

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Second   mentioned   accused­Validad   @   Balidas Khan accused has been facing trial for offence under Section 2125 and 29 of the Act.  Accusation levelled against him, in brief, is that on  19.03.2013, he was apprehended, at the instance of accused Mukesh, and found in possession of 625 grams of heroin at his house situated in village Faridpur, Bareilly, UP; and further that on the said date, he was found in   possession   of   490   grams   of   heroin   which   he   got recovered from scorpio car, bearing registration no. DL 1CJ 3566; and also that he had entered into criminal conspiracy with co­accused Mukesh.

Mohd. Yasin, the third accused, is said to have been apprehended on 20.03.2013, at about 6.45 pm, in the area   of   Jama   Masjid,   Delhi   on   the   basis   of   information provided by co­accused Validad Khan and at that time, he was found in possession of 550 grams of heroin.

2. Case of the prosecution is that in the year 2013, mobile phones of various persons, suspected to be indulging in drug supply, were under lawful interception in case FIR 4   No.26/12   of   Police   Station   Special   Cell.       During interception   of   conversation   of   Mukesh   and   Validad,   on their   respective   mobile   phones   i.e.   no.   7895906081, 8859457790   of   Validad   and   9289586800   of   Mukesh,   it transpired that one Tamur Khan, was in touch with Validad, used to supply heroin to Mukesh.

On   16.03.2013,   on   interception   of   calls   of Mukesh and Validad, it transpired that Mukesh accused was going to meet Validad at Faridpur, UP and then it transpired that   Mukesh   had   reached   Faridpur,   UP   Faridpur   by  an Express train.  

SI   Parveen   recorded   this   information   and communicated it to Inspector Attar Singh, who in turn, is stated to have brought the same to the notice of ACP.  

It   is   also   case   of   the   prosecution   that   on 17.03.2013   on   interception   of   phone   calls   of   Mukesh,   it transpired   that   he   was   returning   to   Delhi   from   Faridpur. Raiding party  comprising of SI Parveen, ASI Bhushan, ASI Prabhodh, HC Rajbir, Ct. Sandeep and Ct. Sumer and HC Harpreet was constituted.   

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HC   Rajbir,   Ct.   Sandeep   and   HC  Harpreet   were sent to Ghaziabad Railway Station.    Ct. Sandeep and  HC Harpreet   were   directed   to   board   the   aforesaid   Train   at Ghaziabad and search Mukesh accused.   

  ASI Bhushan and Ct. Sumer were sent to Sarai Rohilla Railway Station in search of Mukesh accused.  

ASI   Prabodh   was   sent   to   Old   Delhi   Railway Station in search of accused Mukesh.

Arrest of Mukesh and recoveries from him

3. Case of the prosecution is that Mukesh accused alighted from train at Old Delhi Railway Station and started proceeding   towards   waiting   hall   of   Old   Delhi   Railway Station. On signal of Ct. Sandeep, Mukesh was apprehended by   SI   Parveen.     He   is   said   to   have   swallowed   railway travelling ticket.  

Mukesh was served with notice under Section 50 of the Act and after his refusal to avail of the legal rights, explained vide this notice, when his pithu bag was subjected to   search,   it   led   to   recovery   of   1   kg   of   heroin.   The 6   contraband was found to be heroin when tested on field­ testing­ kit.  

Two samples each of 5 grams were drawn from the   lot.     Then,   the   sample   parcels   and   parcel   containing residue were sealed and  seized.   That is how, rukka was despatched and present case was registered.  

Case   property   recovered   from   Mukesh   was produced before Inspector Rajinder Sherawat, who also put his seal to and then deposited the same with MHC(M).  

After registration of case, SI Rakesh was assigned investigation of the case and he reached the spot.

On personal search of Mukesh, some items were recovered. Same  were seized  by SI Rakesh.   Mukesh was then   produced   before   the   SHO   at   PS   Special   Cell,   Lodhi Colony.

ACP was also apprised of the arrest and recovery from   Mukesh.   Report   under   Section   57   of   the   Act   was prepared by SI Parveen.  

Separate report under Section 57 of the Act was prepared   by   SI   Rakesh,   who   happened   to   reach   the   spot 7   after registration of FIR. 

On   interrogation,   Mukesh   accused   disclosed before SI Rakesh that he could get recovered more heroin from   his   tenanted   house   no.   C­6/109,   Sultanpuri,   Delhi. That is how, 500 grams of heroin was recovered from the house of Mukesh accused at his instance.  

Two samples were drawn from this quantity, and turned into parcels. Sample parcels and parcel containing residue   were   sealed   and   then   produced   before   Inspector Rajinder   Sehrawat,   who,   in   turn,   put   his   seal   thereon. Inspector deposited all these items also with the MHC(M).  

SI Rakesh  prepared  report under Section 57  of the Act and communicated the same to the ACP in respect of this recovery as well.

Arrest of Validad @ Balidas and recoveries from him

4. Prosecution   case   is   that   in   pursuance   of disclosure   statement  made   by   Mukesh,   on   18.03.2013,   at about 9.30 pm,   party headed by SI Rakesh departed from the office and reached Faridpur, UP, at about 5.20 pm on 8   19.03.2013.  There, Validad was found present at his house. From his possession, 625 grams of heroin was recovered.  

Two samples each of 5 grams were drawn from the   lot.     Then,   the   sample   parcels   and   parcel   containing residue were sealed and seized.

Validad accused made disclosure statement and in pursuance of there of, he got recovered 500 grams heroin more   from   a   scorpio   car,   which   was  lying   parked   on   the ground   floor   near   his   house.     Two   samples   were   drawn from this lot, sealed and seized vide memo.   Two mobile phones were also recovered from Validad. 

Validad   was  brought  to  Delhi,   produced   before Special Judge and his custody by way of police remand was obtained. 

Case   property   recovered   from   Validad   was produced before Inspector Rajinder Sehrawat, who, in turn, affixed his seal on all the parcels and then deposited the same with MHC(M).

SI Rakesh  prepared  report under Section 57  of the Act in respect of Validad accused. The report was put up 9   before Inspector who communicated the same to ACP.

Case   of   prosecution   is   that   in   furtherance   of disclosure statement made by Validad accused it transpired that   he   used   to   supply   heroin   to   Yasin   and   Chamman through   his   carrier   Radhey   and   that   Mohd.   Yasin   had purchased  700 grams  of heroin  from him, but afterwards complained about poor quality of heroin; and that Validad had told Mohd. Yasin that he would send a person, after festival of Holi, and he could return the remaining quantity of heroin lying with him and exchange it with better quality of heroin.  

In  view   of  this  disclosure   statement,   SI   Rakesh asked   Validad   accused   to   contact  Mohd.   Yasin   on  phone. Accordingly,   Validad   so   contacted   Mohd.   Yasin.   This conversation was recorded.

Arrest of Mohd. Yasin and recoveries

5. Thereafter, Inspector Attar Singh deputed SI Bhushan. The Sub Inspector, constituted a raiding party.   The party reached   gate   no.   1,   Jama   Masjid   at   about   4   pm   and 10   apprehended   Mohd.   Yasin,   after  HC  Dilawar  Singh   posed himself to Mohd. Yasin as the person sent by Validad. 

After  service   of  notice   under  Section  50  of  the Act Mohd. Yasin was subjected to search and he was found in possession of 550 grams of heroin kept in a transprent polythene contained in a yellow colour polythene.   

Two samples each of 5 grams were drawn from the   lot.     Then,   the   sample   parcels   and   parcel   containing residue were sealed and seized.

Mohd. Yasin was then brought to PS Special Cell, Lodhi   Colony,   where   he   was   produced   before   Inspector Rajinder Singh, with the case property, and the Inspector, in turn   sealed   the   same   with   his   seal   and   deposited   it  with MHC(M). 

Report under Section 57 of the Act was prepared by SI Bhushan. It was communicated to the office of ACP through Inspector.

Case of prosecution is that efforts were made to trace suspects Sultan Singh and Sawasra, but they could not be traced out. 

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Electronic and Expert Evidence

6. During   investigation,   electronic   evidence   was also collected. Six sample parcels referred to above were got despatched to FSL for analysis, and on analysis their reports were collected. 

It is also case of prosecution that voice samples of   three   accused   persons   were   also   taken   during investigation   at   FSL   and   then   got   analyzed.     Experts prepared reports in this regard.  

On   completion   of   investigation,   challan   was before the Court. 

Charge

7.  Prima facie case having been made out, charge for the above mentioned offences, was framed against the accused. Since the accused pleaded "not guilty" and claimed trial.

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Prosecution Evidence

8. In order to prove its case, prosecution examined following 37 witnesses: ­ PW1 : ASI Pyara Singh PW2 : ACP Satyavir Singh PW3 : HC Sanjeev PW4 : HC Rajbir Singh PW5 : Ct. Sandeep PW6 : SI Dharambir PW7 : SI Bijender Singh PW8 : Sh. Vishal Gaurav PW9: HC Ramesh Kumar PW10 : Sh. Israr Babu PW11 : HC Dilawar Singh PW12 : SI Ranjit Singh PW13 : SI Jitender Tiwari PW14 : Sh. Rajeev Ranjan PW15 : Inspector Rajender Sehrawat PW16 : HC Hawa Singh PW17 : ASI Radha Krishan PW18: Inspector Attar Singh PW19 : Sh. Dinesh kumar PW20 : Sh. Sunil 13   PW21 : Sh. Rajesh PW22 : SI Bhushan Kumar PW23 : Sh. Brij Mohan PW24 : Sh. Deepak Mathur PW25 : SI M. Baxla PW26 : Sh. Mool Chand PW27: Mohammad Zamil PW28 : HC Deepak Kumar PW29 : V. Lakshmi Narsimhan PW30 : Dr. Kanak Lata Verma PW31 : Sh. Sunil Kumar PW32 : Sh. Vinod Kumar  PW33 : Sh. Pawan Singh PW34 : ASI Suresh Kumar  PW35 : Wasim Akhtar @ Shanu  PW36: SI Parveen Kumar PW37: SI Rakesh Kumar Statement under section 313 CrPC

9.  When examined under section 313 Cr. P.C., all the accused have denied all the incriminating circumstances appearing  in evidence  against them,  to have entered into criminal conspiracy, the factum of recovery of heroin, the 14   proceedings   conducted   by   the   police   at   each   spot   and subsequent thereto.

As   regards   taking   of   voice   sample,   Mukesh accused   has   admitted   that   he   and   Validad   were   taken  to FSL, Rohini for this purpose. 

Validad   accused   also   admitted   that  once   police had taken took him to FSL, Rohini for this purpose.  

Mohd.   Yasin   accused   has   displayed   ignorance about this fact. 

Defence Evidence

10.  Only Validad accused  has led defence  evidence by examining DW1 Mohd. Feroz Khan,  DW2 Sameer from his   village   and   DW3   Ms.   Anjum,   his   wife.     Other   two accused have however, opted not to lead any evidence in defence, despite opportunity.

11.  Arguments heard. File perused.

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Discussion Interception of phone calls

12. As noticed about, case of  prosecution is that in the year 2013 mobile phones of various persons, suspected to  be   indulging in  drug  supply  were   being  intercepted  in case   FIR   No.26/12   of   Police   Station   Special   Cell.   In   this regard prosecution has proved on record order Ex PW19/A. As per certificate Ex PW1/A, interception order and   related   documents   for   the   year   2012   and   2013 regarding interception of phones,   pertaining to this case, were destroyed and could not be  produced. 

It is in the statement of PW31 Sh. Sunil Kumar, Principal   Staff   Officer   Ministry   of   Home   Affairs   that interception   orders   and   related   documents   for   the   year 2012   and   2013   were   destroyed   as   per   certificate   Ex PW31/A.   In   the   course   of   arguments,   no   contention   has been raised on behalf of accused that no reliance can safely be placed on Ex.PW19/A. 16   Undisputedly,   mobile   phone   no.   9289586800 finds mention in this order passed to intercept incoming and outgoing   messages,   calls   to   or   from   any   person   on   such phone. 

Conversation between Mukesh and Validad accused

13. According to PW36 SI Praveen during monitoring of the mobile phone numbers, it transpired that a person namely Tamur Khan wanted in case FIR No.26/12 was in touch with co­accused Validad, who used to supply heroin to accused Mukesh.   In this regard, prosecution has relied on interception of conversation between two mobile phone numbers i.e. 7895906081 and 8859457790 of said Validad Khan and mobile phone No. 9289586800 i.e. of Mukesh.

Both these accused have disputed that they were having any such mobile phone connections. Prosecution has led evidence in the form of statements of Nodal Officers of concerned Mobile phone service providers.

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PW14

14. According to PW14,Rajeev Ranjan, Nodal Officer, as per  original CAF in respect of mobile no. 9289586800 in the   name   of   Mukesh   son   of   Pappu   R/o   AB­34,   Amar Puri,Nabi   Karim,   Pahar   Ganj,   Delhi   and   photocopy   of election   I   D   in   the   name   of   Mukesh.   Photocopies   of   the relevant documents are Ex. PW14/C.  CDR of the aforesaid mobile for the period from 15.02.2013 to 21.03.2013 is Ex. PW14/D. Cell ID Chart with location of the aforesaid mobile phones   for   the   aforesaid   period   is   Ex.   PW14/E.     In   this regard, Certificate u/s 65B of Evidence Act is Ex PW14/F. So   prosecution   has   proved   that   mobile   phone number 9289586800 was of Mukesh accused, and that the calls   made   from   it   and   on   it   were   legally   allowed   to   be intercepted.  

In view of the above evidence, court finds from cogent and convincing evidence that Mukesh has come up with a false plea in this regard.

8859457790 and 7895906081 phone which were recovered from Validad accused.

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PW8   Sh.   Vishal   Gaurav,   Nodal   Officer,   Bharti Airtel   Ltd.   proved   customer   application   form   of   mobile numbers 9589516683, 7895906081 and 7895906144 in the name   of Tej Singh,  Ved   Ram  and   Shakuntala.    Customer application   forms,   ID   proof   and   CDR   are   Ex   PW8/B (collectively).  

  PW 10 Sh. Israr Babu, Nodal Officer, Vodafone Mobile Services proved customer application form of mobile no. 8859457790 in the name of Arvind as Ex PW10/A,  CDR of   said   mobile   phone   number   for   the   period   from 15.02.2013   to   21.03.2013   is   Ex   PW10/B   and   certificate under Section 65B of the Act is Ex PW10/C.   According   to   PW­14   Sh.   Rajeev   Ranjan,   Nodal Officer,   Tata   Tele   Services   Ltd.,   as   per   original   CAF   in respect of mobile no. 9213142429, it was in the name of accused Mohd. Yasin,   son of Mohd. Safiq Khan R/o 1762, Ghante Wali Gali,  Chahdi wali Pahari Bhujla Bazaar, Sita Ram, Delhi. Photocopies of the relevant documents are Ex. PW14/A. CDR of the aforesaid mobile for the period from 25.02.2013 to 21.03.2013 is Ex. PW14/B.  19  

15. Ex   PW37/I   is   the   transcription   of   the conversation between two callers i.e. the one from mobile phone   no.   9289586800   and   the   other   mobile   phone 7895906144.     As   per   prosecution   version,   the   second mentioned number was being used by Validad accused. It is true   that   prosecution   has   not   produced   on   record   any evidence to suggest that this second mention mobile phone connection got issued by Validad and as per statement of PW8   Sh.   Vishal   Gaurav,   Nodal   Officer,   Bharti   Airtel,   this mobile   phone   connection   was   in   the   name   of   one Shakuntala, prosecution has placed on record tapes Q1, Q2 and   Q3   to   establish   conversation   between     Validad   and Mukesh   on   comparison   of   their   voice   samples   with   the voices already recorded during interception.

It   is   case   of   prosecution   that   on   20.03.2013, PW37 alongwith HC Suresh, Ct. Vikas took accused Mukesh and Validad to FSL, Rohini for the purpose of taking of their voice   samples.     On   the   way,   two   persons   namely   PW21 Rajesh and PW20 Sunil were joined.

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At FSL Rohini, voice sample of accused Mukesh and   Validad   were   taken   by   the   expert   in   two   separate cassettes.   The   expert   prepared   one   copy   each   of   voice sample   of   accused   Mukesh   and   Validad,   in   two   separate cassettes   and   delivered   to   PW37   all   the   four   cassettes. PW37   prepared   four     parcels   of   these   four   cassettes   and sealed them with seal bearing impression BK.  The cassettes pertaining   to   accused   Mukesh   were   given   Mark   S1   (Ex PW20/P3)   and   S2   (Ex   PW20/P1)   and   the   cassettes pertaining   to   accused   Validad   were   given   Mark   S3   (Ex PW20/P4) and S4 (Ex PW20/P2).   These were seized vide seizure memo Ex PW20/A.   Further, it is case of prosecution on 03.04.2013, voices of  accused Validad and Mukesh, were already lying recorded by way of interception of calls during recording of their   conversation   by   way   of   legalized   interception,   were lying   preserved   in   the   computer   system   at   their   office   in Rohini.   PW37 copied the said recorded conversation in a CD and assigned it Mark Q1 Ex PW37/P1.  

It is case of the prosecution that accused Mohd.

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Yasin was arrested on 20.03.2013 from the area of Jama Masjid. 

Recording of voice sample of Mohd. Yasin

16. According to PW­13 SI Jitender Tiwari of Special Cell, NR Delhi, on 22.03.2013  at about 10AM, he and HC Ramesh   took   accused   Mohd.   Yasin   to   FSL   Rohini   for   his voice   sample,   as   directed   of   Insp.   Attar   Singh.   At   about 10.30AM   when   they   reached   near   Rohini   west   Metro Station.       PW23  Brij  Mohan  joined   the   party.   Thereafter, they   reached   FSL  Rohini   at  about   10.45AM.   There,   voice sample   of   accused   Mohd.   Yasin   was   taken   in   the   physics department   by   the   concerned   FSL   official.   One   T­series cassette   containing   voice   sample   was   prepared   with   one extra copy.  These were given mark S5 and S6. Both these cassettes were kept in two separate envelopes which were then sealed with the seal of US.  After use, seal was given to Brij   Mohan.   PW13   the   seized   both   these   envelopes   vide seizure memo vide Ex. PW13/A.    On   return   to   the   office,   PW13   got     deposited both   the   sealed   envelopes   with   MHC(M),   through   HC 22   Ramesh.

As   noticed   above,   voices   of   all   the   accused, already recorded during recording of their conversation by way of legalized interception, were lying preserved in the computer system at Rohini. PW37 copied the said recorded conversation in a CD and assigned it Mark Q2 Ex PW37/P2. Voices   of   accused   Mohd.   Yasin   and   Validad,   already recorded during recording of their conversation by way of legalized interception, were lying preserved in the computer system   at   Rohini.     PW37   copied   the   said   recorded conversation in a CD and assigned it Mark Q3 Ex PW37/P3.

All these three CDs Q1, Q2 and Q3 were turned by   PW37   into   three   separate   parcels,   sealed   with   seal bearing   impression   RK   and   seized   them   vide   memo   Ex PW37/G.  Case of prosecution is that on 05.04.2013, voice samples   Mark   S1,   S3,   S5   and   Q1,   Q2   and   Q3   were   got deposited   at   FSL,   Rohini   through   PW17   HC   Radha Krishnan, for analysis. After deposit at FSL and on return, he   handed   over   copy   of   Road   Certificate   and 23   acknowledgment of FSL to MHC(M).    

Transcript   Ex   PW37/I   of   the   conversation recorded   in   the   above   mentioned   CDs   running   into   24 sheets   was   prepared   by   PW37   in   the   handwriting   of   Ct. Sandeep on his instruction and dictation in his presence. 

These     were   then   sent   to   FSL,   Delhi   for comparison   with   sample   voice   S1   i.e.   of   Mukesh,   sample voice S3 i.e. of Validad and sample voice S5 of Mohd. Yasin.

17. In   the   course   of   arguments,   no   contention   has been raised on behalf of any of the accused as to why no reliance   should   have   placed   on   the   interception   and recording   of   conversation   and   analysis   of   the   said conversation, on comparison with the sample voice of each of  the   accused.       Therefore,   Court  can  safely  rely  on  the report Ex PW29/A. According   to   PW29   V.   Lakashmi   Narsimahan   - expert   from   FSL   on   comparison   and   examination   of   the contents of parcels 1, 2 and 3, which were found containing CDs,   and   contents   of   parcels   4,   5   and   6,   which   were 24   containing   audio   cassettes   having   voice   samples   of   all accused.  Report Ex PW29/A was prepared. 

Opinion   of   the   expert   in   report   Ex   PW29/A   is   as under:­ "1. The voice exhibits of speaker marked     "Exhibit­   Q1"   and   "Exhibit­ S1"   are   the   voice   of   the   same   person (i.e. Mukesh)

2. The voice exhibits of speaker marked     "Exhibit­   Q2"   and   "Exhibit­ S3"   are   the   voice   of   the   same   person (i.e. Balidad @ Balidas)

3. The   voice   exhibits   of   speaker marked "Exhibit­ Q3" and "Exhibit­S5"

are   the   probable   voice   of   the   same person (i.e. Mohd. Yasin.) The auditory analysis of recorded speech   samples   of   speakers   marked "Exhibit   Q1"   &   "Exhibit   S1"   and subsequent acoustic analysis of speech samples   by   using   CSL   (Computerized Speech   Lab)   revealed   that   the   voice exhibits   of   speaker   marked   "Exhibit Q1" is similar to the voice exhibits of speaker   "Exhibit   -   S1"   in   respect   of their acoustic cues and other linguistic and phonetic features. 
Similarly, the auditory analysis of 25   recorded   speech   samples   of   speakers marked   "Exhibit   Q2"   &   "Exhibit   S3"

and   subsequent   acoustic   analysis   of speech   samples   by   using   CSL (Computerized   Speech   Lab)   revealed that   the   voice   exhibits   of   speaker marked "Exhibit Q2" is similar to the voice exhibits of speaker "Exhibit - S3"

in   respect   of   their   acoustic   cues   and other linguistic and phonetic features. 
Similarly, the auditory analysis of recorded   speech   samples   of   speakers marked   "Exhibit   Q3"   &   "Exhibit   S5"

and   subsequent   acoustic   analysis   of speech   samples   by   using   CSL (Computerized   Speech   Lab)   revealed that   the   voice   exhibits   of   speaker marked "Exhibit Q3" is similar to the voice   exhibits   of   speaker   marked "Exhibit   -   S5"   in   respect   of   their acoustic cues  and other  linguistic and phonetic features." 

This   electronic   evidence   lends   corroboration   to the prosecution version.

18. On 16.3.2013, PW36 SI Parveen informed PW18 Inspector Attar Singh about conversation between the two 26   accused namely Mukesh and Validad. According to PW36, he   also   apprised   the   Inspector   of   a   call,   intercepted     on mobile phone of accused Mukesh,   Mukesh telling his co­ accused Validad that he (Mukesh) would come to Faridpur by Express train. 

From the transcript of the conversation between Mukesh and Validad, on 14.03.2013, it stands proved that Mukesh informed Validad that he shall be leaving for his place on the night of Saturday and reach him by 4.00 am and that too secretively.  

From the transcript of the conversation between the two, recorded on 16.03.2013, it transpires that Mukesh was advised not to bring bag and further about the manner in  which   he  should  bring  cash.    On  the   same   day,  in  30 second   conversation,   Mukesh   inquired   from   Validad   if   he used to possess Ganja. In the subsequent conversation, they talked   about   quantity   and   other   items.     On   17.03.2013, Mukesh   talked   Validad   and   told   him   that   he   was   still   in Bareilly.  On the same day, at about 3.15 asked Validad to open the gate.  This goes to show that Mukesh reached the 27   destination and met Validad, where the latter was. 

Compliance with provisions of Section 42 of the Act

19. PW36 SI Parveen Kumar is said to have recorded information about interception of call on 16.03.2013 from the   mobile   phone   of   Mukesh   in   which   he   expressed   to Validad about his visit to Faridpur by Express train and put up   the   same   before   PW18   Inspector   Attar   Singh,   who   in turn forwarded the same to the office of ACP. 

The original information received in the office of ACP   is   Ex.PW6/A.     Its   receipt   has   been   proved   by   PW6­ Reader   of   the   concerned   ACP   and   PW2   -   ACP   Satyavir Singh himself.  PW2 Satyavir Singh ACP stated to have gone through contents of Ex.PW36/A, vide his endorsement Ex PW6/A and directed for action as per law. 

Movement   of   Mukesh   to   Faridpur(UP),   and   return   to Delhi with heroin

20. It  is in the  statement of PW36 SI Parveen that supervision   /   monitoring   of   phone   also   revealed   that 28   accused   Mukesh   had   reached   Faridpur   (UP)   by   Shaheed Express Train.   He recorded this information by way of Ex PW36/B   and   informed   ACP   Satyavir   Singh   Dagar   and Inspector   Attar   Singh.     Both   these   witnesses   have   also supported the evidence of PW36 in this regard.  Ex PW6/B is the endorsement made by PW2 on 18.03.2013 at 12.30 pm,   regarding   perusal   of   contents   of   Ex   PW36/B,   on   its receipt   from   SI   Parveen   Kumar   through   Inspector   Attar Singh. 

In   the   course   of   arguments,   no   contention   has been raised by learned counsel for the accused persons that this is case of non­compliance with provisions of Section 42 of the Act, so far as Ex PW36/A is concerned. 

Further,   case   of   prosecution   is   that   on 17.03.2013, at 9.17 am, one  phone call was intercepted by PW36,   during   monitoring   and   as   per   the   conversation accused   Mukesh   had   with   his   wife.   During   conversation, Mukesh told his wife that he was returning to Delhi from Faridpur, UP. 

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SI Parveen Kumar inquired from the railways and found that Mukesh was referring to Al­Hazrat Express Train. The   SI   recorded   this   information.   He   then   got   this information   forwarded   to   the   ACP.     In   this   regard   PW36 recorded DD No. 5  Ex PW36/C.   The original information received in the office of ACP is Ex.PW36/C.   Its receipt has been proved by PW6­ Reader   of   the   concerned   ACP   and   PW2   -   ACP   Satyavir Singh himself.   PW2 Satyavir Singh ACP is stated to have gone through contents of Ex.PW36/C, vide his endorsement Ex PW6/C and directed for action as per law.  

PW2   and   PW18   have   also   deposed   about   this fact. 

21.   As   per   directions   of   the   ACP,   Inspector   Attar Singh, PW36 SI Parveen Kumar  constituted a raiding party comprising   of   himself,   ASI   Bhushan,   ASI   Prabhodh,   HC Rajbir, Ct. Sandeep and Ct. Sumer. 

It is in statement of PW36 that he sent HC Rajbir, Ct. Sandeep and HC Harpreet to Ghaziabad Railway Station by a govt. vehicle­ gypsy bearing no. DL1CM 1346. 

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HC   Rajbir   was   directed   to   reach   Old   Delhi Railway station and meet ASI Prabodh  leaving  Ct. Sandeep and HC Harpreet at Ghaziabad Railway Station. 

  Ct. Sandeep and HC Harpreet were directed to board the Train namely Al­Hazrat Express at Ghaziabad and search   for   accused   Mukesh   and   that     in   case   they   found them, they shall  inform him (PW36).  

It is in the statement of PW­4 HC Rajbir Singh that   on   17.03.2013,   at   about   10AM,   he   along   with   HC Harpreet   and   Ct.   Sandip   started   from   their   office   by government   vehicle.       He   dropped   HC   Harpreet   and   Ct. Sandeep   at   Ghaziabad   Railway   Station   at   about   11AM. Then,   he   went   to   ODRS   and   reached   there   at   about 12.30noon and  reported to ASI Parbodh, outside PS ODRS. He parked the vehicle near PS, ODRS. SI Parveen also met ASI Prabodh. 

According   to   PW36   SI   Parveen,   he   obtained information about the arrival of the above train and it was revealed that train was running late by one and a half hour. After  collecting  this information,   PW36  sent  ASI   Bhushan 31   and Ct. Sumer to Sarai Rohilla Railway Station in search of accused Mukesh. 

ASI   Prabodh   was   sent   to   Old   Delhi   Railway Station for the same purpose.

As   regards   his   own   arrival,  PW36   has   deposed that at about 12.15 pm, he proceeded from his office by a govt. vehicle bearing no. DL 1CJ 3566 to Old Delhi Railway Station,   after   collecting   investigating   kit,   field   testing   kit and electronic weighing machine from the office. At about 1 pm,   he   reached   Old   Delhi   Railway   Station.     There,   ASI Prabodh and HC Rajbir met him. 

Further according to PW 36, at about 1.05 pm, Ct. Sandeep informed HC Rajbir from the above train that the said train had reached Old Delhi Railway Station.     At that   time,   he   was   accompanying   HC   Rajbir.     Ct.Sandeep informed that he had seen accused Mukesh in the train.  Ct. Sandeep   also   told   HC   Rajbir   and   the   HC   informed   that accused Mukesh was having a pitthu bag on his shoulders. Ct.   Sandeep   continued   following   Mukesh   and   kept   on informing   HC   Rajbir   after   alighting   from   the   train.   He 32   further informed that after having alighted from the train accused   Mukesh   was   proceeding   towards   Waiting   Hall   of the station.   Thereafter, on seeing SI Parveen, Ct. Sandeep gave a signal pointing out towards accused Mukesh.  That is how,   Mukesh   was   apprehended   by   them   at   the   Railway station. 

PW4   HC   Rajbir   and   PW5   Ct.   Sandeep   have deposed in line with the statement of PW36.

  PW28 HC Deepak Kumar has deposed about the entries recorded in the log book. Copy of relevant page of the log book is Ex PW28/A.  In view of the entries available in the log book, there is no merit in the contention raised by learned counsel for Validad and Mukesh that prosecution has not proved on record log book entries regarding this vehicle. 

The   record   regarding   movement   of   the   said vehicle   lends   corroboration   to   the   case   of   prosecution narrated by the abovesaid PWs. 

It is in  the  statements  of prosecution witnesses that immediately after accused Mukesh was apprehended, 33   he swallowed a railway travelling ticket.  

Mukesh has not brought on record any evidence to the contrary, to suggest that he did not travel from Delhi to Faridpur or on return journey.  Learned Addl. PP submits that   the   CDR  Ex   PW14/D   and   location  chart   Ex   PW14/E establish this fact.   No argument to the contrary has been advanced by learned defence counsel in this regard so as to doubt the testimony of the aforesaid PWs. 

Recovery of heroin from Mukesh

22. According to  PW36, he then removed the pitthu bag from shoulder of accused Mukesh, checked its contents and found that it was containing one grey colour polythene which   was   further   found   containing   one   transparent polythene containing matiala colour powdery substance.  

He   then  tested   small   quantity   of   the   said substance on the field testing kit and the same was found to be Heroin.  He then weighed the substance with transparent polythene, and it weighed 1 kg. 

34  

  Then, he (PW36) took out two samples, each of 5gms, from the recovered substance and kept the same in two separate transparent pouches and converted them into two separate cloth parcels which were marked as   A1 and A2. 

The   remaining   heroin   which   was   inside   the transparent polythene was kept in the same polythene and then converted into a cloth parcel given Mark A.   Further   according   to   PW36,   Pithu   bag   was converted into separate cloth parcel and given Mark A­3. 

He   then   sealed   all   four   parcels   with   his   seal bearing impression PK.   He also filled in FSL Form at the spot and affixed impression of said seal on it.  After use, he delivered the seal to HC Rajbir.   Thereafter, he seized the parcels and FSL form  vide seizure memo Ex PW4/C.  PW36 has also deposed to have prepared rukka Ex PW36/D and to have handed over the same along with FSL form with four sealed parcels and the copy of seizure memo, to Ct. Sandeep with the direction that rukka was to be handed over to the duty officer and the remaining items 35   were to be handed over to SHO PS Special Cell.  

Compliance with Section 50 of the Act

23. According   to   PW36,   he   introduced   himself   and other   staff   members   to   Mukesh   .   He   also  told   accused Mukesh   regarding   his   legal   right   to   the   effect   that   some Magistrate or Gazetted Officer  could be called to the spot, if he so desired and his search could be conducted in their presence.   PW36   also   told   accused   Mukesh   that   he   could conduct     search   of   police   officials   before   his   search   was conducted.  

Accused Mukesh expressed that he did not want to   get   himself   subjected   to   search   in   presence   of   any Gazetted Officer or Magistrate and that he also did not want to search persons of the members of the party.

Thereafter, PW36 prepared notice under section 50 NDPS Act Ex PW4/A. Copy of the said notice was served upon accused Mukesh. He gave his reply Ex. PW4/B.  Learned counsel for Mukesh and Validad accused contended   that   reply   of  these   two  accused   to  the   notices 36   under Section 50 of the Act are almost in same words and that it is not believable two persons would use exactly same words replying to any such notices, and that this fact creates doubt   if   any   such   notice   were   served   upon   the   accused persons. 

Another contention raised by learned counsel is that   words   "nearest   Magistrate"   do   not   find   mention   in these notices.  

On the other hand, learned Addl. PP has pointed out that the words used by these two accused in reply to respective notice under Section 50 of the Act are not same and as such there is no merit in the contention raised by learned defence counsel. 

As   regards,   non­mentioning   of   words   'nearest', learned Addl. PP submits that omission of this word does not come to the aid of the accused when both of them were apprised of their legal rights under Section 50 of the Act but they refused to exercise the same.  

As rightly  submitted,  had   the   accused   opted   to exercise this legal right, then the matter would have been 37   otherwise. Since they refused to exercise their legal rights, non­mentioning   of   word   'nearest'   in   this   notice,   does   not adversely affect the case of prosecution particularly when accused persons were duly apprised of the contents of the notices.  Decision in Om Prakash Vs. State III (2014) CCR Del cited by learned counsel for accused persons does not come the aid of the accused persons. 

In  Om   Prakash's  case   (supra),   accused   was taken to nearest police officer which was at a distance of 20 km was away whereas the nearest police station was in Rani Bagh   and   as   such   non­explanation   in   this   regard   was observed   to   be   non­compliance   with   the   mandatory requirement under Section 50 of the Act. 

On perusal of the reply of Mukesh and Validad accused to the notices under Section 50 of the Act, court finds that the words used therein are not same.  Therefore, it cannot be said that these notices were not at all served upon these accused.  

   In Ram Prakash Vs. State 2014 (146) DRJ 629, adverse inference was drawn against the prosecution as no 38   CCTV footage was collected from nearby CCTV cameras.  

Herein, there is nothing on record to suggest that any   CCTV   camera   was   lying   installed   near   the   place   of arrest of Mukesh accused. 

Even   otherwise,   in   the   course   of   arguments, learned defence counsel has not been able to point out any contradiction in the statements of witnesses to the arrest of and recovery from Mukesh accused.  There decision in Ram Prakash's  case   (supra)   does   not   come   to   the   aid   of   the accused.   

Production of case property before PW15

24. It   is   in   the   statement   of   PW­15   Insp.   Rajender Sehrawat     that   on   17.03.2013,   at   about   6.30PM,   Ct. Sandeep handed over to him four pullandas mark A1, A2, A3 and A, bearing seals of PK, FSL form bearing impression of same seal and carbon copy of seizure memo.  He then put his   seal   of   RSS   on   all   the   parcels,   recorded   FIR   number thereon   and   FSL   form.   He   deposited   all   the   parcels   and documents   with     MHC(M)   ASI   M   Baxla   vide   entry   in 39   register no. 19   and also put his signatures in the relevant entry, in addition to recording of DD No. 9A. 

Compliance with provisions under Section 57 of the Act

25. On   18.03.2013   report   u/s   57   NDPS   Act   Ex PW6/D   from   SI   Parveen   Kumar   forwarded   by   Inspector Special Cell (NR) was received at the office of ACP.   The ACP went through their contents.

On   18.03.2013   written   information   dated 17.03.2013, copy of DD no 5 dated 17.03.2013 Ex.PW6/C, report   u/s   57   NDPS   Act   regarding   recovery   of   narcotic drugs, another report u/s 57 NDPS Act regarding  arrest of accused,   photocopy   of   disclosure   statement   of   accused Mukesh were also put up before the ACP.

PW37 has proved DD No.16 Ex.PW37/B. He has also proved  report  u/s 57 NDPS  Act  Ex.PW6/E  regarding arrest of accused Mukesh and to have sent the same to ACP through Inspector in charge.  This report was received at the office of ACP on 18.03.2013. It stands proved on record that the ACP   had gone   through their contents.   According to 40   PW2   ASI   Satyavir   Singh,   he   was   apprised   of   arrest   of accused Mukesh, vide Ex.PW6/A.   Thereupon, he assigned investigation of the case to SI Rakesh­PW37.  

It stands proved on record that after registration of the FIR, at about 4.45 pm PW37 SI Rakesh came to the spot   for   investigation.   While   leaving   the   Special   Cell,   he recorded   DD   NO.11   Ex.PW37/A.   At   the   spot,   he   found accused Mukesh present there with SI Parveen Kumar and his staff. PW36 handed over all the documents to the SI, prepared   by   him   at   the   spot.   Accused   Mukesh   was   also produced before PW37. 

According to PW 37, SI Rakesh­IO he prepared site   plan   Ex.PW36/E   at   instance   of   PW36.   He   also interrogated   accused   Mukesh,   arrested   him   and   subjected him   to   personal   search   vide   memos   Ex.   PW4/E   and   Ex. PW4/F.  Case is registered

26. On   the   basis   of   rukka,   PW1   ASI   Pyara   Singh recorded FIR Ex.PW1/A appended endorsement Ex.PW1/B 41   thereto and then handed over copy of the FIR with original rukka to Ct.Sandeep.   In this regard, he also recorded DD No.7­A Ex.PW1/C.   Case of prosecution is that Mukesh accused was apprehended at about 1.10 pm, rukka was complete by 4.30 pm and FIR came to be registered at about 5 pm.   Soon thereafter, SI Rakesh - PW37 reached the spot.   According to PW36, SI Rakesh interrogated the accused and arrested him at about 5.30 pm.   This goes to show that there was no delay in getting the case registered and as such non­joining of   witness   from   public   does   not   come   to   the   aid   of   the accused. 

On his personal search, a carbon copy of notice under section 50 NDPS Act Ex PW36/I, carbon copy of body inspection memo Ex.PW36/H, one key, amount of Rs. 400/­ and one mobile phone make Karbon Ex P4 containing Sim bearing connection number 9289586800 were recovered. In this regard seizure memo Ex.PW36/G was prepared.  

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Disclosure   statement   by   Mukesh   accused   before   SI Parveen Kumar

27. It   is   case   of   the   prosecution   that   PW37 interrogated accused Mukesh once again and he disclosed vide Ex.PW36/F in  presence of PW36 that he had collected the   recovered   heroin   from   his   co­accused   Validad   R/o Faridpur, Bareilley.

It is in the statement of PW37 that he and other members of the  party,  in  company  of accused  Mukesh  at about 6.30PM and reached PS Special Cell, Lodhi Colony at about   7PM.   There,   accused   Mukesh   was   produced   before the SHO. He deposited personal search articles of accused Mukesh   with   MHC(M)   except   the   mobile   phone   which, according   to   him   was   required   for   the   purpose   of investigation to trace source of contraband. Thereafter, they reached office of Special Cell, Sector­6, Rohini.

Disclosure statement made by accused Mukesh

28. Case of prosecution is that on the same night i.e. in   the   intervening   night   of   17­18.3.2013,   PW37   further 43   interrogated   accused   Mukesh   and   thereupon   he   disclosed that   previously  he   had   brought  two  types  of  heroin  from said   Validad   Khan   and   some   part   of   the   said   heroin   had been sold, while remaining heroin, of both types, was still lying in the box at his house no.C­6/109, Sultanpuri, Delhi. 

Accused Mukesh further disclosed that the key Ex PW16/P6   which   was   recovered   from   his   personal   search was   the   key   of   the   lock   of   the   box   containing   the contraband. 

PW37 recorded disclosure statement of accused Mukesh Ex.PW34/A. He apprised Inspector Attar Singh of the said disclosure and also got forwarded its copy to PW2 ACP.

PW2  ACP   Satya  Vir  Singh  and   PW18  Inspector Attar Singh have supported the case of prosecution in this regard. 

It is case of the prosecution that in pursuance of directions   of   Inspector   Attar   Singh,   PW37   constituted   a raiding party consisting of himself, ASI Prabodh Kumar, ASI Bhushan, HC Hawa Singh, HC Suresh and Ct.Sumer. PW37 44   in company of accused Mukesh and in the company of staff proceeded  from  the   office   to  the  disclosed   place  vide  DD Ex.PW37/C.  According   to   PW37,   initially,   they   reached   at police   station   Lodhi   Colony   and   collected   the   key Ex.PW16/P6  from the malkhana. Thereafter, at about 4:45 p.m they reached at C­6/109, Sultanpuri, New Delhi.

It is in the statements of the witnesses that on reaching  the   said   house,  accused  Mukesh  pointed  out  his residence   on   the   first   floor   of   the   said   rented   house.   On reaching   the   first  floor  of  his  house,   accused   Mukesh   got opened   the   door   of   his   house,   which   was   opened   by   his wife. After entering the house, accused Mukesh pointed out one locked box lying in the room. PW37 opened lock of the box with the aforesaid key recovered on his personal search. It led to recovery of one light green colour cloth bag (theli) and   same   was   the   said   cloth   was   found   containing   two transparent polythenes. One polythene was containing light brown colour powdery substance and the other polythene was containing off­white colour powdery substance. 

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  PW37   weighed   the   transparent   polythene containing light brown colour powdery substance and it was found to be 500 gms. He drew two samples, each of 5 gms from   the   recovered   substance.   Both   the   samples   were turned   in   two   parcels   and   given   Mark   B1   &   B2.   The remaining substance in the transparent polythene was also converted into a cloth parcel and marked as Mark B. According to PW37, then he weighed the other polythene which was containing off­white colour powdery substance and it was found to be 500 gms. 

He drew two samples, each of 5 gms from the said   substance.   Both   the   samples   were   turned     in   two separate parcels and given Mark C1 & C2. The remaining substance in the transparent polythene was also converted into a cloth parcel and marked as Mark C.  He filled in FSL form and then affixed his seal bearing impression RK on all the six parcels and the FSL form. 

According to PW37, he seized all the aforesaid 6 parcels   and   FSL  form  through   seizure   memo  Ex.PW16/A. 46   He also seized the lock, after turning the same into a sealed parcel,   photocopy   of   voter   I   Card   of   accused   Mukesh Ex.PW37/D and one Rent Agreement Ex.PW26/A in original recovered from the box, vide memo  Ex.PW16/B.  According to PW37, after use he handed over the seal to HC Suresh Kumar. 

It is in the statement of PW26 Mool Chand that he had let out first floor of house no. C­6/109, Sultanpuri Delhi to Mukesh on the basis of rent agreement Ex PW26/A. It is significant to note that the Mukesh accused has   admitted   that   the   said   house   was   on   rent   with   him during the relevant period.

Ex PW16/A i.e. the memo bears attestation of HC Hawa Singh and HC Suresh Kumar.   Both these witnesses while appearing in Court as PW16 & PW34 have deposed in line with the statement of PW37.

29. Learned defence counsel contended that this is a case where there is no corroboration to the version of the police official regarding arrest of and recovery from Mukesh 47   accused and that non­joining of independent witness creates doubt if any such recovery was made from accused Mukesh.

On   the   point   of   evidentiary   value   of   police officials, Hon'ble Apex Court observed in decision in Ajmer Singh vs. State of Haryana (2010) 3 SCC 746, as under:­ "The submission that the evidence of the official witnesses cannot be relied upon  as their  testimony has  not been corroborated   by   any   independent witness cannot be accepted.   It is true that a charge under the Act is serious and carries onerous consequences.  The minimum   sentence   prescribed   under the   Act   is   imprisonment   of   10   years and   a   fine.     In   this   situation,   it   is normally expected that there should be independent   evidence   to   support   the case of the prosecution.  However, it is not an inviolable rule.   It may not be possible to find independent witness at all places, at all times.  The obligation to take public witnesses is not absolute. If after making efforts which the court considered in the circumstances of the case reasonable, the police officer is not able to get public witnesses to associate with  the raid or arrest of the culprit, 48   the arrest and the recovery made would not be necessarily vitiated.   The court will   have   to   appreciate   the   relevant evidence   and   will   have   to   determine whether   the   evidence   of   the   police officer was believable after taking due care   and   caution   in   evaluating   their evidence."   

In   the   course   of   arguments,   learned   defence counsel   has   not   pointed   out   any   contradiction   or discrepancy in the statements of the witnesses on the point of recovery from Mukesh and Validad accused.   

30. Learned defence counsel for Mukesh accused has pointed out that prosecution failed to bring on record any entry   in   the   log   book   of   vehicle   no.  DL   1CJ   3566  which creates   doubt   if   any   such   party   was   led   to   the   house   of Mukesh or if any such recovery was made from there.   

It   is   true   that   prosecution   has   not   proved   on record   any   log   book   of   vehicle   no.    DL   1CJ   3566.     But prosecution has fully proved about departing of the party headed  by  SI  Rakesh  Kumar  for the  house  of  Mukesh  by 49   govt.   vehicle   no.   DL   1CJ   3566   by   way   of   DD   No.   19   Ex PW37/C,   recorded   by   SI   Rakesh   Kumar   on   17.03.2013. Had   this   entry   not   been   containing   the   number   of   the vehicle, then the things would have been otherwise.  But in view of this documentary evidence, court does not find any ground   to   disbelieve   the   testimony   PWs   regarding   use   of this vehicle in reaching the house of Mukesh accused.  

Further   according   to  PW37,   he   informed Inspector Attar Singh and ACP of Special Cell, NR at about 5.40 am regarding the recovery of above substance from the house of accused Mukesh. 

PW18   Inspector   Attar   Singh   has   also   deposed about this fact. 

It is in the statement of PW37 that after having left the spot with accused Mukesh, they reached to police station Special Cell  Lodhi  Colony.  There,  he  produced  all the six parcels, FSL form and one copy of seizure memo of substance before PW15 Inspector Rajinder Sehrawat, SHO, PS Special Cell. The SHO, in turn affixed his seal bearing impression RSS on all the six parcels and FSL form. He also 50   put his signatures on these items, got recorded DD No.2­A and   then   he   deposited   the   parcels   with   FSL   form,   in   the malkhana. 

According   to   PW37,   he   himself   deposited   the parcel   containing   lock,   in   the   malkhana   and   then   left  PS Special Cell, reached office at Rohini. On reaching there, he recorded DD no.5 Ex.PW37/E.  PW37   has   proved   reports   u/s   57   NDPS   Act Ex.PW6/G and Ex PW6/F regarding recovery of contraband substance at instance of accused Mukesh. 

PW37   has   also   proved   report   Ex.PW6/H regarding house search i.e. at the house of Mukesh between sunset and sunrise. Report Ex PW6/F is the report prepared by PW37 and   sent to office ACP through Inspector Attar Singh. 

PW2 and PW18 have supported the statement of PW37 in this regard. 

It   is   in   the   statement   of   PW15   Insp.   Rajender Sehrawat     that   on   18.03.2013,   at   about   7am,   SI   Rakesh produced before him, at his office three parcels Mark C1, C2 51   and   C3   all   bearing   seals   of   R.K.,   FSL   form   and   copy   of seizure   memo.     He   then   put   his   seal   of   RSS   on   all   the parcels,   recorded   FIR   number   thereon   and   FSL   form.   He deposited all the parcels and documents with  MHC(M) ASI M Baxla  vide  entries in register no.  19   and also put his signatures in the relevant entry, in addition to recording of DD No. 2A.

Case   of   prosecution   is   that   PW37   produced accused Mukesh before the concerned court and obtained his custody by way of police remand for four days.

According to PW37, on 18.3.2013 at about 9:30 pm,   he,   ASI   Bijender   Singh,   HC   Ramesh,   HC   Rajbir,   HC Suresh   Kumar,   HC   Harpreet,   Ct.Sumer,   Ct.   Vikas   in company of accused Mukesh departed from their office vide DD   No.36   Ex.PW37/F.     Contents   of   this   DD   entry   lend corroboration   to   the   version   of   prosecution   regarding departure of this party for Faridpur, District Bareilly, UP.

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Arrival of the police party at Faridpur, District Bareilly, UP

31. According to PW37 SI Rakesh, at about 5:20 a.m on 19.3.13 they reached Faridpur, District Bareilly, UP by government   vehicle   no.DL  1CJ   7367   driven  by  HC  Rajbir Singh. 

It is in the statement of PW28 HC Deepak Kumar that on night intervening 18­19­03.2013 Govt. vehicle no. DL   1CJ   7367   Tavera   was   used   for   investigation   so   as   to reach   Bareilly,   UP,   and   on   return   journey   by   SI   Rakesh Kumar   and   in   this   regard   entry   was   recorded   in   the   log book.   Copy   of   the   relevant   page   of   the   log   book   is   Ex PW28/B.   PW28 HC Deepak Kumar has deposed about the entries recorded in the log book. Copy of relevant page of the log book is Ex PW28/A.  In view of the entries available in the log book, there is no merit in the contention raised by learned counsel for Validad and Mukesh that prosecution has not proved on record log book entries regarding this vehicle. 

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The record regarding movement of the said vehicle lends corroboration to the case of prosecution narrated by the abovesaid PWs. 

Arrest of Validad accused and recovery from him

32. According   to   PW37,   when   he   and   other   staff accompanied by Mukesh accused reached Vishalpur Road at Faridpur, accused Mukesh pointed out the house of accused Validad Khan.  PW37 then knocked the door of said house of Validad Khan. Wife of accused Validad opened the door. On seeing them, wife of Validad raised alarm. 

According   to   PW37,   he   and   his   staff   entered   the said house and reached the first floor. On reaching upstairs, PW37 noticed accused Validad coming out of the room and entering   the   toilet.   Mukesh   identified   his   co­accused   as Validad Khan.  At that time, accused Validad was holding a white colour polythene in his hand. After entering the toilet said Validad Khan tried to bolt the door but PW37 along with staff forcibly opened the door and then apprehended him.   During   this   process,   Validad   Khan   sustained   some 54   minor abrasions on his forehead.

It is in the statement of PW37 that he introduced himself and staff members to accused Validad Khan. He also apprised   Validad   Khan   about   the   information   given   by Mukesh in respect of providing the contraband substance by accused Validad Khan to Mukesh. 

  PW37 told accused Validad Khan that there was possibility of apprehension of recovery of some contraband substance from his person. He also apprised Validad Khan of   his   legal   right   that   if   he   wanted   to   get   his   search conducted   in   presence   of   any   Magistrate   or   Gazetted Officer,   then   he   could   be   taken   to   them.   He   also   told Validad Khan that before his search he could conduct search of   police   party.     He   also   served   notice   u/s   50   NDPS   Act Ex.PW7/A upon said Validad Khan in respect of his above legal   rights   by   delivering   him   carbon   copy   of   notice.   But Validad Khan refused to exercise his legal rights. Accused Validad Khan gave his reply in writing on the above notice. Since Validad Khan was unable to write down his reply, at his instance, he (PW37) wrote down the reply Ex.PW7/B as 55   per instructions of Validad.

It is in the statement of PW37 SI Rakesh Kumar that he took over white colour polythene from the hands of accused Validad and checked it.   The said polythene was further found containing one transparent   polythene and it was containing light brown colour powdery substance.   He tested the substance on field testing kit and found that it was heroin.  

According   to   PW37,   he   weighed   the   said substance with the transparent polythene and it was found to   be   625   grams.     Two   samples,   each   of   5   grams   were drawn from the said substance and turned into cloth parcels and   given   Mark   E1   and   E2.     The   remaining   substance alongwith the transparent polythene and the polythene bag recovered   from   accused   Validad,   were   converted   into   a cloth parcel and given Mark E.    PW37 deposed that he filled in FSL form, affixed seal having impression JT, on all the three parcels, FSL form and then seized the parcels and the FSL form vide seizure memo Ex PW7/C.   After use, seal was handed over to ASI 56   Bijender.  

PW37 interrogated accused Validad and recorded his   disclosure   statement   Ex   PW9/A   wherein   he   disclosed that a Scorpio car was lying parked on the ground floor and he   could   get   recovered   500   grams   more   heroin   from   the said car.  

In   pursuance   of   the   said   disclosure   statement accused Validad led the police  party to ground floor of his house   at   Bisalpur   Road,   Faridpur.   PW37   took   key   Ex PW7/P10 of the garage from accused Validad and opened the same.  One Scorpio car bearing registration no. DL 1CJ 5361 was found lying parked in the garage.  On opening the door   of   the   car,   towards   driver   seat,   PW37   found   one polythene of light blue colour lying under the seat of the driver.   On opening the polythene, matiala colour powder was found in it. 

According   to   PW37,   small   quantity   of   the powder, when tested on field testing kit was found to be heroin. He weighed the substance with polythene and it was found to be 490 grams.  

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He took out two samples each of 5 grams, turned the   same   samples   into   two   separate   cloth   parcels   and assigned them Mark F1 and F2.   Remaining substance was also   turned   into   a   cloth   parcel   alongwith   recovered polythene, and was given Mark F.    According to PW37, he filled in FSL form, sealed the three parcels with seal bearing impression JT and also affixed impression of the seal on FSL form. After use, seal was handed over to ASI Bijender Singh.  All these were then seized   alongwith     Scorpio   Car   vide   seizure   memo   Ex PW7/D1.   Key   of   the   garage   was   also   seized   vide   seizure memo Ex PW7/F.  One registration certificate Ex PW7/13 of motorcycle   bearing   no.   UP   25AL   7750   in   the   name   of accused Validad was recovered from the dashboard of the Scorpio   car   and   the   same   was   also   seized   vide   seizure memo Ex PW7/E.   Accused   Validad   was   arrested   arrest   memo   Ex PW7/H, his personal search was conducted vide memo Ex PW7/I and from his possession a sum of Rs.250/­ in cash, one carbon copy of notice under Section 50 of the Act Ex 58   PW7/P14 and  one carbon copy  of body  inspection memo were recovered.   Two mobile phones­ one make Nokia Ex P7/P11 and the other make Le­phone Ex PW7/P12, were also recovered from the possession of accused Validad and seized   vide   memo   Ex   PW7/G.   PW37   interrogated     and recorded disclosure statement Ex PW7/J of accused Validad.

It is in the statement of PW35 Wasim Akhtar that in   the   year   2011,   he   took   a   shop   on   rent   from   accused Validad.   Said   shop   was   on   the   ground   floor   on   Bisalpur road, Bareilly.   He used to park aforesaid Scorpio car either at his house or at the rented shop.  On 19.03.2013 while the said   car   was   parked   at   the   said   rented   shop,   police   took away the car.  House of accused Validad was situated above the said shop.

It is case of prosecution that at about 8.15 am police party headed by SI Rakesh left the house of accused Validad and took him and the case property to police station Faridpur, Bareily. Thereafter police party left for Delhi.   At about  4  pm on  19.03.2013,   the   party  reached   Tis  Hazari Court and produced accused Validad before Special Judge, 59   Delhi   and   his   custody   by   way   of   police   remand   was obtained.  

  PW37 alongwith staff and accused Mukesh and Validad  reached PS special Cell, Lodhi Colony.   There he produced   aforesaid   parcels   alongwith   the   FSL   form   and carbon   copy   of   seizure   memos   before   the   SHO   Inspector Rajinder   Singh   Sehrawat,   who   affixed   his   seal   bearing impression RSS on all the sealed parcels and also on the FSL form.   

It   is   in   statement   of   PW­15   Insp.   Rajender Sehrawat   that   on   19.03.2013,   at   about   5PM,   SI   Rakesh produced before him six parcels mark E1,E2, E and F1,F2 and   F,   lying   sealed   with   the   seal   of   JT,   two   FSL   forms having impression of same seal and two carbon copies of seizure memo. He then affixed his seal on all the parcels and also put its impression on the FSL forms. 

According   to   the   inspector   PW15,   he   also deposited all the parcels with MHC(M) ASI M Baxla, put his signatures in register no. 19 and also recorded DD number 8A  at about 5.05PM in this regard. 

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33. Case   of   prosecution   is   that   from   Police   Station Special Cell Lodhi Colony, PW37 alongwith HC Rajbir, HC Suresh,   Ct.   Sumer,   Ct.   Vikas,   while   accused   Mukesh   and Validad  were in custody, left for Special Cell, NR Office at Rohini. 

According to PW37, he prepared a report under Section 57 of the Act regarding arrest of accused Validad and recovery of heroin from him. He also prepared report regarding search of the house of accused Validad during the concerned period i.e. after sunset and before sunrise, and sent   both   the   reports   Ex   PW6/I   and   Ex   PW6/J   to   ACP through Inspector Attar Singh. 

It is case of prosecution that on 19.03.2013, ACP was   informed   on   telephone   by   SI   Rakesh   Kumar   from Faridpur   Bareilly   that   he   had   apprehended   Validad   and conducted search of his house and recovered 625 grams of heroin from his possession and further that 490 grams of heroin had been recovered from the Scorpio car.  

It   is   in   prosecution   evidence   that   in   the   same evening SI Rakesh produced before the ACP, report u/s 57 61   NDPS Act regarding seizure and arrest of accused Validad. 

34. Learned   counsel   appearing   for   Mukesh   and Validad   accused   argued   that   this   is   a   case   of   non­ compliance mandatory provision of Section 42 of the Act as SI   Rakesh   was   neither   authorized   nor   he   obtained   any permission from senior police officers, under Section 41 (1) of the Act to conduct search between sunset and sunrise, and   further   that   if   the   concerned   officer   had   reasons   to believe that a search warrant or authorization could  not be obtained   without   affording   opportunity   for   escape   of offender, such officer was required to record grounds of his belief,   but   herein   PW37   neither   obtained   any   search warrants nor recorded  any ground of belief and as such no reliance   can   be   placed   on   the   evidence   led   by   the prosecution to the recovery of contraband said to have been got recovered by Mukesh and Validad from their respective house.  

In support of this contention, learned counsel for has referred to decision in State of Rajasthan V/s. Jag Raj 62   Singh @ Hansa IV (2016) SLT 557. 

In    Jag   Raj   Singh   @Hansa's   case   (supra), Hon'ble Supreme Court observed that sec 42 (1) indicates that   any   authorized   officer   can   carry   out   search   between sun rise and sun set without warrant or authorisation.  The scheme indicates that in event the search has to be made between   sun   set   and   sun   rise,   the   warrant   would   be necessary unless officer has reasons to believe that a search warrant   or   authorisation   cannot   be   obtained   without affording   the   opportunity   for   escape   of   offender   which grounds of his belief has to be recorded.   That was a case where no ground for belief as contemplated by proviso to Sub­section (1) of Section 42 or Sub­section (2) of Section 42   was   ever   recorded   by   Station   House   Officer   who proceeded to carry on search." 

On the same point, learned defence counsel has also   referred   to   decisions   in  State   of   Rajasthan   V/s. Chhagan Lal 2014 (4) JCC (Narcotics) 213; Karnail Singh Vs.   State   of   Haryana,  2009   (4)   JCC   Narcotics   170   and Chunna @ Mehtab Vs. State of M.P., 2009  Supreme 63   Court cases 363.  

As regards recovery from the tenanted house of Mukesh, PW37 alongwith other staff and Mukesh accused reached   C­6/109,   Sultanpuri,   at   about   4.45   pm.     Before departing for the said house, PW37 apprised Insepctor Attar Singh of the disclosure statement made by Mukesh accused and submitted to him copy of said disclosure statement for being   communicated   to   the   office   of   ACP.     According   to PW37, as per directions of Inspector Attar Singh his party left by recording DD no. 19 Ex PW37/C in the company of Mukesh accused.

In his cross­examination PW37 admitted to have not   obtained   any   written   permission   from   any   Gazetted officer to search house of Mukesh.  He volunteered to have apprised the Inspector of the disclosure statement and that the   Inspector   informed   the   ACP   and   then   he   was   orally directed to take necessary action. 

As   noticed   above   PW2   ACP   Satyavir   Singh   has supported the case of prosecution.   PW18 Inspector Attar Singh have also supported PW37 on this case.  PW18 stated 64   that   copy   of   disclosure   statement   of   Mukesh   was   placed before   ACP   Satya   Vir  Singh.       PW2  ACP   Satya   Vir  Singh stated   in   his   chief   examination   that   on   18.03.2013, photocopy of disclosure statement of Mukesh was also put up   before   him.     He   was   not   cross­examined   by   learned defence counsel, as to by whom the said copy   was put up before   him.     Had   he   been   cross­examined   in   this   regard, PW2 might have explained in this regard. 

The fact remains that oral instructions regarding search at house of Mukesh after sunset and before sunrise were given by the ACP to Inspector Attar Singh for further necessary action and the Inspector communicated the same to PW37.  

Ex PW6/H is the report under Section 57 of the Act submitted by SI Rakesh Kumar to Inspector Attar Singh on 18.03.2013.   The Inspector forwarded the same to the office of ACP and the ACP went through its contents on the same day at about 1 pm.   In   this   report,   Ex   PW6/H,   SI   Rakesh   Kumar clearly recorded the ground of belief to leave for the house 65   of Mukesh accused, without search warrant or permission in writing.       PW37   recorded   that   as   per   verbal   approval   of senior   officers   to   take   immediate   search   of   the   house   to recover contraband, he reached the said house.     He also specifically   mentioned   therein   to   have   apprised   the   two senior police officers about the disclosure and the urgency to take house search between sunset and sunrise, as there was strong apprehension of removal of contraband from the said   house,   if   delay   was   caused   in   taking   permission   for house search. 

Even   while   appearing   in   Court   as   PW37 explained in this regard in cross­examination by stating in the manner as:

"On having reached the house of Mukesh accused, I did not prepare any document   stipulating   therein   the grounds   of   my   belief   that   permission could not be obtained from the ACP or Magistrate for house search.  However, I   subsequently,   on   having   reached Special   Cell,   NR,     prepared   report under   Section   57   of  the   Act   and   also another report Ex PW6/H mentioning therein   the   grounds   as   to   why 66   permission could not be obtained from the ACP for house search after  sunset and before sunrise."  

In  Jag     Raj's  case   (supra)   SHO   had   never recorded ground of belief.  But here is a case where PW37 recorded grounds of belief at a later stage and submitted the same to senior police officer.

As regards Validad accused, according to PW37, he prepared report under Section 57 of the Act Ex PW6/I and also house search report  Ex PW6/J. In Ex PW6/J, which he prepared on 19.03.2013, after the recovery from Validad accused, PW37 specifically mentioned that recovery justified immediate search of the house conducted at about 5.30 am.  This sentence used by PW37   in   this   report   may   appear   to   have   been   not   been happily worded, but it appears that by writing this sentence in   this   report   Ex   PW6/J   submitted   to   the   senior   police officers,   he   intended   to   express   grounds   of   belief   which made him to leave the office for the house of Validad and that too after due information to them. 

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35. In view of all this, Court does not find any merit in the contention raised by learned defence counsel that this is a case of non­compliance of provisions of Section 41 (1) or 42 of the Act either in respect of house search of Mukesh or in respect of the recovery from the possession of Validad and from the scorpio car.  

Non­joining of independent witness Efforts to join witness from public

36. Learned defence counsel contended that this is a case where there is no corroboration to the version of the police official regarding arrest of and recovery from Mukesh and Validad accused  and that non­joining of  independent witness creates doubt if any such recovery was made from accused Mukesh.   

In support of his contention learned counsel has referred to decisions in  Inder Dev Yadav Vs. The state of NCT   of   Delhi   Ors.  2014   (3)   JCC   Narotics     129;  Rajesh Kumar @ Sanjay Vs. State NCT of  Delhi  2014   (3)   JCC Narcotics 156; Ritesh Chakavarti Vs. State of M.P (2006) 68   12 Supreme Court cases 321; Gurjant Singh  @ Janta Vs. State of Punjab 2013 (13) Scale 295; and Tamaso   Bruno & Another V/s. State of Uttar Pradesh, (2015) SCC 198.

It  has  come   in   evidence   that  immediately   after Mukesh   accused   was   apprehended   and   he   swallowed travelling   ticked,  5­6   persons   from   the   public   gathered there.  PW36 requested them to join the party but none of them came forward to join the party.  

It is true that PW36 SI Parveen admitted in cross­ examination   that   at   the   time   search   of   Mukesh   was conducted,   persons   from   the   public   were   passing   by   that side and that he did not call any railway official, but non­ joining of the witness from the public does not affect the case of prosecution, particularly when no contradiction has been pointed by learned defence counsel in the statements of   prosecution   witnesses   to   disbelieve   their   testimony regarding the manner in which Mukesh was apprehended and   recovery   of   contraband   was   made   from   him,   in   the Waiting Hall.

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PW37   stated   in   his   chief   examination   that   on reaching C­6/109, Sultanpuri, accused Mukesh pointed out his residence at the first floor.  Further, according to PW37, he   requested   2­3   neighbours   to   join   the   proceeding,   but none agreed.   In his cross­examination also PW37 deposed that there were houses adjoining the house of Mukesh and that before entering the house of Mukesh, 2­3 persons from the   neighbourhood   were   requested   to   join   the   party,   but none   agreed,   and   further   that     he   did   not   record   their names and addresses.

It is true that even in case of recovery from the house   of   Mukesh   accused,   the   testimony   of   the   police official   does   not   find   any   corroboration   from   any independent source, but it is significant to note that learned defence counsel has not been able to point out even a signal contradiction   and   discrepancy   in   the   statements   of   the police officials so as to doubt the version narrated by them regarding the recovery of contraband got made by Mukesh accused from his house. 

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As regards, Validad accused, PW37 stated in his chief examination that on 18.03.2013 at about 9.30 pm, he alongwith ASI Bijender Singh, HC Ramesh, HC Rajbir, HC Suresh Kumar, HC Harpreet, Ct. Sumer, Ct. Vikas alongwith accused Mukesh departed from their office vide DD No. 36 Ex PW37/F.  As per PW37, at about 5.20 am on 19.03.2013 they reached Faridpur, District Bareilly, UP by government vehicle   no.   DL   1CJ   7367.     When   they   reached   Vishalpur Road at Faridpur, there accused Mukesh pointed out house of Validad Khan.   PW37 asked 2­3 neighbours to join the proceedings but none agreed. 

In cross­examination PW37 also deposed that he asked 2­3 persons from the neighbourhood of Validad, but none agreed.  He did not record their names and addresses.

On   the   point   of   evidentiary   value   of   police officials, Hon'ble Apex Court observed in  Ajmer Singh vs. State of Haryana (2010) 3 SCC 746, as under:­ "The submission that the evidence of the official witnesses cannot be relied upon as their testimony   has   not   been   corroborated   by   any independent witness cannot be accepted.   It is true that a charge under the Act is serious and 71   carries   onerous   consequences.     The   minimum sentence   prescribed   under   the   Act   is imprisonment of 10 years and a fine.   In this situation,   it   is   normally   expected   that   there should be independent evidence to support the case of the prosecution.   However, it is not an inviolable rule.   It may not be possible to find independent witness at all places, at all times. The   obligation   to   take   public   witnesses   is   not absolute.     If   after   making   efforts   which   the court   considered   in   the   circumstances   of   the case reasonable, the police officer is not able to get public witnesses to associate with the raid or arrest of the culprit,  the arrest and the recovery made   would   not   be   necessarily   vitiated.     The court   will   have   to   appreciate   the   relevant evidence and will have to determine whether the evidence of the police officer was believable after taking due care and caution in evaluating their evidence."   

In   the   course   of   arguments,   learned   defence counsel   has   not   pointed   out   any   contradiction   or discrepancy in the statements of the witnesses on the point of recovery from Validad accused as well. 

Therefore,   non­joining   of   witnesses   from   the public at the time of recoveries from Mukesh and Validad 72   does not adversely affect the case of prosecution or come to the aid of the accused persons. 

Defence evidence on behalf of Validad accused

37. According   to   DW1,   he   makes  prayer   in congregation   as   Imman   in   Masjid   Gulsha­e­Raza   at Faridpur, Bareilly, UP for the last 12 years.  

On   the   intervening   night   of   18­19.03.2013,   in between 4 am to 5 am, he came out of Majsid after Namaaz of Fajr and was going to have stroll on the road.   At that time he saw 5­6 persons at the gate of house of Validad , which falls on the said road.  They were pulling Validad out of his house.  He asked these persons as to why they were pulling   him   out   forcibly.       But   they   did   not   tell   him anything.  

When he asked again as to where they wanted to take Validad, those persons told him that they were taking him to local police station for some inquiry and they would send him back after making inquiries.  

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Many   other   persons     who   were   coming   out   of Masjid   after   prayer­namaaz   gathered   there.     Further according to DW1, nothing was recovered from the house of Validad.         Police     also  did   not  check   the   said   car   while taking away Validad.

38. As stated by DW2 on the intervening night of 18­ 19.03.2013,   in   between   4   am   to   5   am,   he   was   going   to reach my tea stall in front of house of Validad.  He  saw 5­6 police officials forcibly pulling Validad out of his house.  He also noticed those police officials, having brought one car out   of   the   shop,   forming   part   of   the   building   of   Validad accused,   which   was   on   rent   with   one   Shanu.     Nothing incriminating was recovered by those police officials from the said car or from the house of Validad.

When he inquired from those police officials as to where they were taking away Validad, they told him that they were taking him to local police station.

On the same day, he and many others including wife of Validad reached police station Faridpur to inquire about   Vaildad.     There   police   officials   asked   them   to   go 74   away.

As  further   stated,   Wife   of   accused   Validad   had sent some complaint to the Senior Police officers, against the police officials, who took the accused Validad without any cause.

39. According to DW3 Ms. Anjum on the intervening night   18­19.03.2013   in   between   3   am   to   4   am,   she   was present with my family at her house on the first floor.

At about 4 - 4.15 am, two persons reached the first floor of their house by climbing  papad  tree and then they knocked the door of their house on the first floor.  She asked as to who were they.   They asked her to open the door.  When she opened the door, both of them entered the house and inquired about her husband.   In the meantime, her husband Validad reached the house after offering Fazr­ Namaaz.     Immediately,   on   his   arrival,   said   two   persons started pulling him out of the house.   She raised hue and cry for help.  Number of persons gathered there.  

Said   persons   represented   themselves   as   police officials   and   told   that   they   were   taking   her   husband   to 75   police station for some inquiry.   At that time, Feroz Khan, Tea Seller and Immam of masjid had also searched there.

Nothing   incriminating   or   any   sort   of   substance was recovered from the possession of her husband or from her house or from the scorpio car of their tenant. 

Thereafter, she went to local police station to see her husband.  She was told that her husband had not been brought   there.     On   the   same   day,   she   sent   complaints regarding   picking   up   of   her   husband   from   her   house   to various   authorities   including   Human   Rights   Commission, Prime   Minister,   Delhi   Women   Commission,   New   Delhi, Chief   Secretary,   New   Delhi,   District   Officer,   Bareilly, Governor, Delhi and Police Commissioner of Delhi.  

There is nothing in the statements of DW1 and DW2 or wife of Validad that at any point of time, they ever appeared before any police officer in support of Validad or to apprise them that Validad was picked up by the police from   his   house   in   their   presence   or   that   nothing incriminating was recovered from his possession. 

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According   to   DW3   Ms.   Anjum,   wife   of   Validad accused, she had sent complaints to competent authorities that   her   husband   had   been   picked   up   from   his   house. Undisputedly,   no   copy   of   any   such   complaint   has   been proved on record.  In absence thereof, it cannot be said that wife   of     Validad   accused   sent   any   complaint   to   any competent   authority   alleging   that   her   husband   had   been picked up from his house and was falsely implicated in this case. 

Arrest of Mohd. Yasin and recovery of contraband from him

40. It  is  case   of  prosecution  that  on 20.03.2013  at about   2   pm,   after   coming   from   FSL,   PW37   further interrogated   accused   Validad   and   he   disclosed   that   apart from   accused   Mukesh,   he   also   used   to   supply   heroin   to Yasin and Chaman through his carriers Radhey.  He further disclosed   that   some   days   before   his   arrest,   Yasin   had purchased 700 grams of heroin from him, but afterwards he had complained him about the quality of heroin, whereupon 77   he (accused Validad) is said to have told Mohd. Yasin that his person would visit him after the festival of Holi and that at that time he could return the remaining quantity of the said heroin, so that he could improve the quality and return the same him. 

According   to   PW37,   he   recorded   disclosure statement   Ex   PW11/H   of  accused   Validad.     On   the   same day, he asked accused Validad to contact Mohd.Yasin from his phone so that their conversation could be recorded. 

Case   of   prosecution   is   that   accused   Validad contacted Mohd. Yasin from his cell phone 7895906081 and talked to him on his cell phone number '9213142429'. Their conversation   was   recorded,   their   phones   having   already been kept under interception.   Regarding this conversation PW37 has proved DD No. 25 dated 20.03.2013 Ex PW37/H recorded at about 03.05 pm. According to PW37, he also apprised   Inspector   Attar   Singh   and   ACP   Sh.   Satbir   Singh about these facts.  

Prosecution   has   proved   on   record   transcript   of the   conversation   between     Validad   and   Yasin   accused 78   recorded   on   20.03.2013.     This   conversation   lends corroboration to the aforesaid version of the prosecution.  

According   to   PW­   Inspector   Attar   Singh,  on 20.03.2013 he deputed PW22 SI Bhushan Kumar to arrest Mohd. Yasin. 

PW22   deposed   that   he   constituted   a   raiding party consisting of himself, HC Dilawar Singh, Ct. Vikas, Ct. Sandip   and ASI Parbodh Kumar. He collected IO kit bag, field testing kit etc. and the party started from the  office of Special Cell, NR at about 3PM vide DD no.27 which is Ex. PW22/A, by government vehicle no. DL­1CJ­7367 driven by Ct. Sandip. They reached gate no.1, Jama Masjid at about 4PM. 

On reaching there PW22 directed Ct. Sandip to park the vehicle on the side of the road and to come to him on signal.  He briefed the members of the party that suspect namely   Mohd.   Yasin   was   expected   to   come   to   gate   no.1 between 5­5.15PM to supply heroin to a person of Validad. He   also   deputed   HC   Dilawar   Singh   at   gate   no.1,   with direction   that   he   was   to   pose   as   man   of   Validad.   Other 79   members of raiding party were also made to stand at some distance.  

  According   to   PW22,   at   about   5.30PM,   accused Mohd. Yasin came from Jama Masjid side and reached near HC Dilawar Singh and asked if he had been sent by Validad. PW11 HC Dilawar Singh replied in affirmative. PW11 then apprehended   accused   Mohd.Yasin     and   called   other members of the raiding party.

PW22 deposed that he apprised accused Mohd. Yasin regarding his apprehension on the basis of disclosure statement   made   by   accused   Validad,   and   that   there   was possibility   of   recovery   of   heroin   from   him   and   for   said purpose he was to be subjected to search. He also explained him about his legal rights under Section 50 of the Act and also   served   with   notice   Ex   PW11/A   i.e.   under  section   50 NDPS Act Further according to PW22, accused Mohd.Yasin stated that he being illiterate could not read contents of the notice.     Thereupon,   its   contents   were   read   over   and explained to him. He opted not to exercise his legal rights 80   under   Section   50   of   the   Act.   At   his   instance,   reply   Ex PW11/B was recorded. 

  According to PW22, he collected from accused Mohd.   Yasin   yellow   colour   polythene   from   his   hand, checked   its   contents   and   found   that   it   was   containing another   transparent   polythene   which   was   in   turn   found containing camel colour powder. He checked the substance on field testing kit and it came to be heroin.  Thereafter, he weighed   the   transparent   polythene   containing   heroin   and its total weight was found to be 550 gms.

 According to PW22, he took out two samples of 5gms each, from the heroin recovered from accused Mohd. Yasin, turned them into two separate parcels and assigned these parcels Mark G1 and G2. Remaining heroin was kept in the recovered transparent polythene and then polythene was kept in yellow colour polythene, which was  also turned into a cloth parcel and assigned mark G.  According to PW22, he prepared FSL Form and thereafter   affixed   his   seal   bearing   impression   ASY   on   all these three   parcels and also on FSL Form. After use, seal 81   was given to HC Dilawar Singh.  

It is case of prosecution that case property was taken   into   possession   vide   seizure   memo   Ex.   PW11/C. Mohd.   Yasin  was  arrested   vide   arrest  memo   Ex.   PW11/D and his personal search was conducted.  From his personal search,   carbon copy of notice under section 50 NDPS Act, an   amount   of   Rs.   300/­   were   seized   vide   memo   Ex. PW11/E.   One   mobile   make   MTS,   having   SIM     of 9213142429   was   recovered   from   him.   Same   were   seized vide   memo   Ex.   PW11/F.     All   this   supported   case   of prosecution.

  Case of prosecution is that all the police officials along   with   accused   Mohd.   Yasin   left   the   spot   at   about 7.45PM and reached PS Special cell , Lodhi Colony at about 8.10PM.  PW22 produced all sealed parcels, FSL Form and carbon   copy   of   seizure   memo   before   PW15   SHO   Insp. Rajender   Sehrawat   SHO,   who   in   turn     affixed   his   seal bearing impression RSS on all the sealed parcels and on FSL form. 

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It   is   in   the   statement   of   PW15   that   on 20.03.2013,   at   about   8PM,   ASI   Bhushan   Cell   produced before him three   parcels mark G1 ,G2 and G lying sealed with the seal of ASY,  FSL form having impression of same seal  and  one  carbon copy of seizure   memo.  According to PW15,   he   put   his   signatures   and   seal   bearing   impression RSS on all the parcels and on the FSL form. According to PW15, he also deposited all the parcels with MHC(M) ASI M Baxla, who recorded entries in register no. 19.  PW15 has proved his  signatures in register no. 19 and further stated to have called MHC(M) to his office and produced the case property before him.  MHC(M)­PW25   has   proved   entry   in register no.19. DD No. 9A has also been proved. 

According to PW22, he produced personal search articles   and   mobile   phone   recovered   from   accused Mohd.Yasin before MHC(M). He also produced Mohd. Yasin before the SHO and the ACP.  

PW22   has   proved   report   u/s   57   NDPS   Act   Ex. PW22/B, which was produced before Insp. Attar Singh and then came to be forwarded to the office ACP.   

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41. Learned   Amicus   Curiae   for   Mohd.   Yasin contended that Mohd. Yasin was  actually picked  up  from behind   Jama   Masjid   on   20.03.2018   and   then   falsely implicated.

Accused Mohd. Yasin has not led any defence to prove that he was picked up by the police from any place behind   Jama   Masjid   on     20.03.2013   or   that   nothing incriminating   was   recovered   from   him   and   that   he   was falsely implicated in this case. 

PW22 SI Bhushan Kumar and PW11 HC Dilawar Singh have deposed in unison about the manner in which Mohd.   Yasin   was   apprehended,   about   recovery   of contraband from him, about proceedings conducted at the spot including preparing of parcel.

According to PW11 HC Dilawar Singh after use seal was delivered by SI Bhushan Kumar to him and that on 28.03.2013, he the seal to him.

In his cross­examination, PW22 explained that on that date, he was having his seal bearing impression BK at his   residence   and   as   such   he   used   the   seal   bearing 84   impression ASY belonging to Inspector Attar Singh.

As regards non­joining of public witnesses, PW22 stated that he had asked 4­5 persons to join the party but none   of  them   case   forward   to  join  the   investigation.     He clearly  stated   in  his  cross­examination,   not  to have  made any efforts to join any person from the public before leaving the office or before reaching the spot.

They reached the spot at about 4 pm.  Across the Road, there was market but he did not ask any shopkeeper from the said market to be a witness. He volunteered that he   had   asked   persons   from   the   public   to   join   the proceedings only before the proceedings were started.

Learned   Amicus   Curiae   has   not   been   able   to point out any contradiction or discrepancy in the statements of witnesses to the recovery from Mohd. Yasin.

In   view   of   decision   in  Ajmer   Singh's   case (supra), when there is no contradiction or discrepancy in the statements of the police officials, non­joining of witness from   public   does   not   adversely   affect   the   case   of prosecution. 

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FSL Report Ex.PW30/A

42.   It is in the statement of PW30 Dr. Kanak Lata Verma   that   on   11.05.2013,   she   analyzed   contents   of   six parcels   and   prepared   report   Ex   PW30/A   which   was   then forwarded to the police vide letter Ex PW30/B.  It is in the statement of PW­3 HC Sanjiv that on 22.03.2013 he got sent six sealed parcels along with 5 FSL Form etc. sealed with the seal of PK , RK , JT , ASY and RSS to   FSL   Rohini   through   ASI   Ranjit   Singh   vide   RC   no. 45/21/13   Ex.   PW3/A.     ASI   Ranjit   Singh   handed   over acknowledgment   Ex   PW3/B   regarding   deposition   of   case property issued by FSL office. 

It   has   been  argued   by  learned   defence   counsel that   sample   parcels   reached   FSL   on   22.03.2013   and   that from the delay in despatch of sample parcels possibility of tampering with the case property cannot be ruled out.

As per report Ex PW30/A all the six parcels were sent to FSL on   22.03.2013.   Recovery from Mohd. Yasin was made on 20.03.2018.   In the given situation when all the six sample parcels pertains to the recoveries in the same 86   transaction, were sent to FSL on 22.03.2013, it cannot be said   that   there   was   delay   on   the   part   of   the   IO. Furthermore when expert tallied the seals available on the parcels,   the   same   were   found   to   be   intact   and   their impressions   tallied   as   per   forwarding   authority   specimen seals.  

  Court finds that prosecution has led cogent and convincing evidence that all steps were taken to rule out the possibility with tampering with the case property during the period same remained in the malkhana and till the sample parcels reached the FSL. 

From the report of FSL Ex PW30/A, it transpires that   contents   of   sample   parcel   C1   were   not   containing Diacetylmorphine.   The   same   were   found   to   be Phenobarbital.  Therefore, it cannot be said that one of the two   polythenes   recovered   from   the   house   of   Mukesh contained heroin.

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Conclusion

43. In view of the above discussion, Court finds that prosecution has proved on record that Mukesh accused kept in his possession 1 kilogram 250 grams of heroin i.e. one kilogram at Waiting Hall of Old Delhi Railway Station, Delhi and   250   grams   of   heroin   was  recovered   from   one   of   the polythenes   got   recovered   by   him   from   his   house. Accordingly, Mukesh accused is held guilty of the offence under Section 21 (c) of the Act.

Court finds that prosecution has also proved on record that Mohd. Yasin accused was found in possession of 550 grams of heroin. Accordingly, Mohd. Yasin accused is held guilty of the offence under Section 21 (c) of the Act.

Court also finds that prosecution has proved on record that Validad accused kept in his possession of 1115 grams ( 1 kilograms 115 grams) of heroin i.e. 625 grams of heroin recovered from him and 490 grams of heroin was got recovered by him from the scropio car. Accordingly, Validad accused is also held guilty of the offence under Section 21

(c) of the Act.

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All   the   three   accused   are   convicted   for   the offence under Section 21 (c) of the Act only.

Be put up on 05.04.2018 to hear the convicts on the point of sentence.



                                                Digitally
Announced in the open Court                     signed by
                                                NARINDER
on this 4th day of April, 2018       NARINDER
                                     KUMAR
                                                KUMAR
                                                Date:
                                                2018.04.05
                                                16:37:05
                                                +0530

                                  (NARINDER KUMAR)
                      SPECIAL JUDGE, NDPS - 02 (CENTRAL)
                              TIS HAZARI COURTS, DELHI