STATE OF GUJARAT Vs. S RATNAKAR SHETTHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of this appeal, the appellant State has challenged the judgment and order of the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Vadodara(for short, 'the trial Court'), Dated : 31.07.1997, rendered in Sessions Case No. 212 of 1993, whereby, the learned trial Court acquitted the original accused the Respondents Nos. 1 to 4, herein, of the charge under Sections 3 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 ('the Act', for short).

(2.) The brief facts of the case of the prosecution, as set out before the trial Court, are that while the original complainant, who was discharging duties as Sub-Inspector in CISF, was present on his duty at P.T.D. Gate of the IPCL, Ranoli, on 24.01.1995, he found that the accused Nos. 1 to 4-respondents, herein, were taking photographs of the plant. Hence, the accused were arrested and a complaint came to be lodged. On registration of the complaint, police carried out investigation and on finding sufficient evidence, a charge-sheet was filed against all the accused. At the time of trial, since, the accused did not plead guilty, the trial was conducted.

(3.) Before the trial Court, the prosecution, in support of its case, examined about six witnesses.