Francis Raja Bernard Anthony Periyakkaraisal v. The Hon. Attorney General – CA 217/10-2017

In the case between Francis Raja Bernard Anthony Periyakkaraisal (Accused – Appellant) and The Hon. Attorney General (Complainant – Respondent), the court addressed whether the conviction for possession and trafficking of 1327 grams of heroin was supported by the evidence and proper procedure. The court held that the conviction and sentence imposed by the High Court were justified, finding no material irregularity in the handling of evidence or significant contradictions in prosecution testimony. The decision reaffirmed the principle that procedural irregularities must be substantial to vitiate a conviction, especially where explanation for deviations is reasonable and credible. Reliance was placed on the fact that appellate authorities must defer to trial findings unless clear error is es