(1.) The present appeals have been preferred by the appellants/accused/convicts (hereinafter referred to as "the accused") laying challenge to judgment, dated 03.10.2016, passed by learned Special Judge, Chamba, H.P., in Sessions Trial No. 46 of 2014, whereby the accused persons were convicted for the offence punishable under Sections 20, 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as "the ND & PS Act") .
(2.) The brief facts of the case can tersely be summarized as under:
(3.) The prosecution, in order to prove its case, examined as many as eleven witnesses. Statements of the accused persons were recorded under Section 313 Cr.P.C., wherein they pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried. The accused persons examined a defence witness.