1. ' This is a revision petition filed by Muhammad Sharif and another, petitioners, against the judgment of a learned Additional Sessions Judge of Lahore, dated 12-11-1969, maintaining their conviction under section 6 of the Foodstuffs (Control) Act, 1958,, but reducing their sentences to a fine of Rupees One Thousand (Rs,1,000) each or in default thereof to undergo rigorous imprisonment for eight months each.
2. 2 The prosecution case in brief is that on 26-11-.1967 at 4-00 a.m., Muhammad Sharit and Muhammad Asghar, petitioners, were apprehended at Checking Post, Shandara, when they were trying to pass through two hundred maunds of Basmati rice loaded to pass through on a truck, for which they had no transport permit.
3. 3 The name of Mr. M.A. Qayyum, Advocate for the petitioner, appears in the cause list for today's date of hearing, but he has not turned up. Mr. Nasim Iqbal, Advocate, appears for the State. With the assistance of the learned counsel for, the State, I have gone through the record. At the time when the evidence was recorded, the disputed rice, which was the property seized, was not produced in Court nor any explanation offered for its non-production, nor any expert's evidence was led to show that the rice seized was Basmati rice and none else. In these circumstances, the, petitioners are entitled to the benefit of doubt.
4. 4 For the foregoing reasons, this petition is accepted. The conviction and sentences of the petitioners are set aside.
5. Revision accepted