SHARABAYYA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners/accused Nos.1, 2 and 4 are before this Court seeking grant of anticipatory bail in Crime No.286/2020 of Ballari Rural Police Station registered against accused Nos.1 to 4 for the offences punishable under Sections 3, 6(A) and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Sections 3, 4, 12, 18 and 19 of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (Public Distribution System) Public Control Order, 2016 and Sections 4, 5 and 8 of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (Storage Accounts Maintaining Value Notification) Order, 1981 on the basis of the first information lodged by Sri.Ravi Kumar Rathod, the Food Sheristedar, Ballari.

(2.) Brief facts of the case are that, on 09.11.2020, the informant along with his staff was near the school in Halakundi village on Bengaluru road, on duty and he found the lorry bearing Registration No.KA-44/0778 which plying on the road. On verification, it was found that, it was filled with rice bags. Informant found that the said rice bags were meant for public distribution under Annabhagya Scheme , which is the flagship scheme of the State Government. When the driver of the said lorry was questioned, he was not having any document for transporting the rice and he has not given any explanation. The lorry in question was searched and it was found that 237.80 quintals of rice valued at Rs.6,18,280/- was found in it and on enquiry, it is found that accused No.1 with the help of accused Nos.2 and 3 is transporting the rice bags which were meant for public distribution and thereby they have committed the offence as stated above. The informant therefore filed the first information requesting the police to register the case and investigate into the matter. Accordingly, the police registered the case and took up the investigation.

(3.) The petitioners herein are accused Nos.1, 2 and 4 before this Court seeking for grant of anticipatory bail.