Ravi vs State Of Kerala

The appellant was convicted by the court below under Sections 55(a) and 8(2) of the Abkari Act. However, the sentence was awarded only under

Section 8(2) of the Abkari Act and no separate sentence was awarded under Section 55(a) of the Abkari Act.

The prosecution allegation is that on 20.02.2003 about 1.20 p.m., the appellant was found in possession of 5 litres of arrack, in contravention of the

provisions of the Abakari Act.

Heard.

The learned counsel for the appellant has argued that since no forwarding note was marked and proved in this case, the appellant is entitled to

benefit of doubt.

It appears that no forwarding note was marked and proved in this case.

In Sasidharan v. State of Kerala [2007 (1) KLT 720], the Court observed thus:

“Without the link evidence of actual sampling by the concerned clerk of the court by drawing sample from the can and sending the same in a

sealed packet to the Chemical Examiner with a specimen seal sent separately for tamper proof despatch, the Prosecution cannot be held to have

brought home the offence against the appellant.â€​

In Ravi v. State of Kerala [2011 (3) KLT 353], the Division Bench of this Court held that the prosecution in a case under the Abkari Act could

succeed only if it is shown that the contraband liquor which was allegedly seized from the accused ultimately reached the hands of the chemical

examiner by change of hands in a tamper-proof condition.

Since no forwarding note was marked and proved in this case, the prosecution could not establish the tamper-proof despatch of the sample to the

laboratory. In the said circumstances, there is no satisfactory link evidence to show that it was the same sample which was drawn from the

contraband seized from the appellant, which eventually reached the hands of the chemical examiner by change of hands in a tamper-proof condition.

Consequently, there is no link evidence connecting the appellant with the sample analysed in the laboratory. In the said circumstances, the appellant is

entitled to benefit of doubt.

In the result, this criminal appeal stands allowed, setting aside the conviction and sentence passed by the court below and the appellant stands

acquitted. The bail bond of the appellant stands discharged.

Needless to state that if the appellant had already deposited any amount before the court pursuant to the direction of this Court, the appellant is entitled

to reimbursement of the said amount from the court concerned.