RAMASWAMY S/O VELACHADEVAR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellants are accused 1 to 5, 7 and 8 in S.C. No.258 of 2002 on the file of the Additional Sessions Judge (Adhoc-II), Thodupuzha. They were prosecuted by the Circle Inspector of Police, Adimaly, who was examined as PW7, alleging offence under Sections 55 (a), (h) and (i) of the Abkari Act. After trial, the learned Additional Sessions Judge found them guilty. Consequently, they were convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for one year and a fine of rupees one lakh on each count. Assailing the above conviction and sentence, this appeal is preferred.

(2.) THE prosecution case is that the appellants along with the 6th accused, who was absconding, were possessing 60 litres of spirit in a barrel inside a house bearing Door No.IV/355 of Pallivasal Panchayat, along with empty bottles, sealing machines, alcoholo meters, labels etc. for the preparation of illicit liquor.

(3.) PW6, who detected the case would depose that on