Recovery of contraband was proved through the testimony of three witnesses, being recovery witnesses and the witness who took the complaint to police station for registration of FIR-

 2021 P Cr. L J 1334

(a) Control of Narcotic Substances Act (XXV of 1997)---

----S. 9(c)--- Possession of narcotics---Appreciation of evidence---Scope---Accused was alleged to have been found in possession of 16 kilograms of heroin--- Recovery of contraband was proved through the testimony of three witnesses, being recovery witnesses and the witness who took the complaint to police station for registration of FIR---Later had deposed that after registration of FIR, he had returned back to place of recovery with a copy of FIR along with the Investigating Officer---Presence of Investigating Officer at the place of occurrence was also proved and defence could not challenge his testimony---Prosecution had succeeded in proving the charge beyond shadow of reasonable doubt---Appeal against conviction was dismissed, in circumstances.

(b) Control of Narcotic Substances Act (XXV of 1997)---

----S. 9(c)---Police Rules, 1934, R. 22.70---Qanun-e-Shahadat (10 of 1984), Art. 87---Possession of narcotics---Store-Room Register---Certified copies of public documents---Scope---Accused was alleged to have been found in possession of 16 kilograms of heroin---Examination of entry in Register No. XIX (Store-Room Register as prescribed in R. 22.70 of the Police Rules, 1934) showed that name of police station and district was not mentioned in the page brought on record---Public documents could be proved through production of certified copies yet they should be in the form as required under Art. 87 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat, 1984---Register No. XIX was not duly proved; therefore, any page/part of register brought on record without formal proof amounted to improper admission of evidence---If such practice was allowed to continue then every junior ranked police official while bringing on record any register while claiming it as genuine, real and true without the knowledge of senior officers in the hierarchy of police station or the department could thwart the sanctuary of prosecution case---Entry of Register No. XIX produced in evidence, being not certified through process of law, was rejected.