NOUSHAD K. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Bail Application filed under Section 438 of Criminal Procedure Code was heard through Video Conference.

(2.) Petitioner is the accused in Crime No.163 of 2020 of Karunagappally Police Station. The above case is registered against the petitioner alleging offences punishable under Sections 3(2)(a) and 7(2)(a) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Section 5(a) of the Rationing Order.

(3.) The prosecution case is that on 27.01.2020, while the 1st respondent and his men were on patrol duty and when they reached Veluthaman Junction, they got reliable information that the petitioner unauthorizedly stocked ration articles that are intended to be distributed through public distribution system. The allegation is that, the ration articles are stored in his residence, namely Vaniyantteyyathu House near Ashan mukku. When the police party searched the premises, they seized 110 sacks of rice weighing 50 Kgs each, 100 empty sacks and sewing machine from the shed situated on the south western side of the house of the petitioner. The 2nd respondent seized these articles in the presence of the Rationing Inspector and the case is registered.