Arumugam Alias Podithamby v. Range Forest Officer – sllr 1986 volume 2 page 398

In the case between M. Arumugam alias Podithambi (Accused-Appellant) and the Range Forest Officer (representing the State), the court considered whether a prosecution under a statutory rule requires the production of the specific Government Gazette in evidence, and whether reference to the accused’s bad character is fatal in a non-jury trial. It was held that judicial notice of law permits reliance on a reference to the gazette without producing the document if not contested by the defence. The introduction of evidence regarding bad character was found not to vitiate the conviction when independent evidence of guilt is sufficient. Conviction on both counts was affirmed, with the second count’s sentence reduced and suspended. The holding reaffirmed that statutory requirements regarding publ