The judge referred to something in his notes which said they did not accept that Ian is deaf

Elspeth Dugdale Ian Stillman's sister

The judges ruled that his case "had no merit whatsoever".

The legal team could seek a pardon, although Mr Stillman's family have already indicated they favour an appeal to the country's supreme court.

They have vowed they will do everything within their power to clear his name.

His sister, Elspeth Dugdale, said she was told one judge had said he believed Mr Stillman was faking his deafness.

Ms Dugdale said: "We don't know all the reasons for the appeal being turned down but I think the judge referred to something in his notes which said they did not accept that Ian is deaf.

Prison visit

"I find that outrageous. He is profoundly deaf, a two-year-old child would know that he can't hear."

Mr Stillman's son Lenny will be visiting his prison to tell him the details of the decision.

Ms Dugdale, 40, of Romsey, Hampshire, said Mr Stillman would have been incapable of carrying 20kg of cannabis as the amputation of his leg had left him with balance difficulties.

It is a slap in the face for the wider deaf community

Stephen Jakobi Fair Trials Abroad

A bag full of the drug was allegedly found in the back of a taxi Mr Stillman was travelling in.

Fair Trials Abroad spokesman Stephen Jakobi said: "We are all flabbergasted - it seems quite clear to me that Ian's deafness as a handicap was ignored from start to finish.

"It is a slap in the face for the wider deaf community and I feel a strong sense of outrage on their behalf."

Mr Stillman's family were "deeply shocked" by the decision, he said.

Innocence protested

His lawyers had argued his trial was unfair as Mr Stillman was only able to lip read the translation of the case conducted in Hindi.

Indian police claimed to have found a green bag containing 20 kilos of cannabis in August 2000.

But the charity worker has always protested his innocence.

Mr Stillman, from Berkshire, who has an artificial leg, set up the Nambikkai Foundation nearly 25 years ago to help educate and train deaf people in India.

He advised the Indian government on deaf issues with his work the subject of a BBC documentary in 1992.