Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Narinder Kumar let off Central Delhi resident Rajesh on probation, setting aside his conviction by the trial court on charges of dealing in the banned wildlife product.
The sessions court, however, upheld his conviction for possessing them, but released him on probation on the ground that he had been facing trial since 1999.
"The appellant is a tailor by occupation and he has faced protracted trial since 1999. This court deems it a fit to extend to the appellant the benefit of probation under Probation of Offenders Act," the ASJ said.
The sessions court judgement came on Rajesh's appeal challenging the magisterial court's ruling, which had sentenced him for possessing and dealing in shawls made up of Tibetan antelope hair.
"It cannot be said that accused was dealing in these 6 shawls made of shahtoosh or hairs of Tibetan antelopes," the sessions court said setting aside his conviction on one count.
According to the prosecution, the police had arrested Rajesh on November 25, 1999 from Dakshin Puri in South Delhi after finding him in possession of 6 banned shawls.
The accused, on the other hand, had pleaded innocence saying no banned shawls were recovered from him and that he had been falsely implicated.