MOH ANASH RIZVI Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The applicant has preferred this first bail application for grant of anticipatory bail, as he apprehends his arrest in connection with Crime No.264/2020, registered at Police Station Gobra Nawapara, District Raipur (CG), for offence punishable under Sections 409 & 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 & 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

(2.) The applicant is Salesman of the Fair Price Shop (FPS) of Ward Nos.3, 4, 14 & 15 run by the Navoday Prathmik Sahakari Upbhokta Bhandar, Nawapara, Rajim. In physical verification conducted by the Food Inspector on 17-7-2019 the said shop was found in short of 761.34 quintals of rice; 14.32 quintals of sugar; and 19.52 qunitals of salt total valued at Rs.29,50,280/-. To explain the shortage the applicant was issued show cause notice on 26-7-2019 and thereafter the present FIR was lodged on 11-7-2020.

(3.) It is argued that the applicant is an employee being Salesman of FPS of the concerned Wards run by the Cooperative Society, therefore, even if any short fall is noticed the responsibility is of the society and not of any employee. It is also argued that the FIR is delayed by about one year.