RAJU Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 4 have filed this petition under Sec. 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 praying to quash the complaint and First Information Report in Crime No.67 of 2020 dtd. 28/6/2020 registered by Hadagali Police Station, for the offences punishable under Ss. 3 , 4 , 12 , 18 and 19 of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (PDS) Public Control Order, 2016, under Ss. , 4 , 8 and 3(2)(i) of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (Storage Account Maintaining Value Notification) Order, 1981, under Ss. 3 , 6(A) and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and under Sec. 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, pending on the file of the learned Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Hadagali, Bellary District (now Vijayanagar District).

(2.) The brief facts of the prosecution case are that, the de facto complainant received credible information on 28/6/2020 at about 3.00 p.m., about the petitioners illegally transporting 14,660 kgs. plastic bags of food grains containing rice item totally valued at Rs.4,19,569.00 belonging to the Government Public Distribution System (for short, 'PDS'). Hence, he conducted raid, seized the same and arrested the accused persons, and lodged complaint, which led to registration of First Information Report and investigation.

(3.) Taking exception to the same, the petitioners have filed this petition.