Swarnamali vs Attorney General – sllr 2020 volume 3 page 054

In Swarnamali (Accused-Appellant) v. Attorney General, the court examined issues concerning possession and trafficking of heroin, focusing on whether the evidence was properly evaluated, the admissibility and impact of testimony relating to the accused’s bad character and pending case, and the effect of any alleged delay in delivering the judgment under Section 203 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. It was held that the trial court adopted a correct approach in evaluating all relevant prosecution and defence evidence collectively, that references to bad character and a pending case did not result in prejudice justifying reversal, and that the time taken to deliver the judgment did not occasion a failure of justice. The appeal against conviction and sentence was dismissed, thereby affir