Tanazanian acquitted

According to the prosecution, 15 packets of smack stored in a poly bag were recovered from Khaliffa8217;s trouser pocket after he was apprehended while coming on a moped from Modern Housing Board complex on August 11, 1997. The police had set up a barrier after receiving information, the prosecution had added.

Arguing before the court, the public prosecutor had added that the accused was frisked in Deputy Superintendent of Police S C Sagar8217;s presence after he opted to be searched by a gazetted police officer.

The accused, however, had denied the allegations and claimed a trial. Pleading innocence, he had stated that the police were implicating him.

Alleging that he had been beaten up by the police, Khaliffa said that he was taken to the police station after he failed to produce his passport and the residential permit.

Claiming to have been forced into signing blank papers, Khaliffa had also alleged that the police had demanded valuables and money from him.

The defence counsel had further stated that the police had cooked up the story for involving an innocent tourist not carrying travel documents.

The judge, while acquitting the accused, observed that the DSP8217;s presence at the time of the recovery was 8220;quite doubtful8221;.