(1.) THE respondent was put on trial before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dehra, District Kangra (HP), under Section 61(1)(a) of the Punjab Excise act, 1914 (as applicable to the State of Himachal Pradesh), for allegedly having in his possession five bottles of XXX Rum.
(2.) AFTER complete trial, the learned lower court acquitted the respondent on the ground of non compliance of Section 100(4) Cr.P.C. and the officials witnesses not relied upon due to material contradictions.
(3.) I have heard Sh. C B Singh, learned Deputy Advocate General and Sh. Raman Sethi, learned counsel for the respondent-accused.