STATE OF UTTARANCHAL Vs. PRADEEP AGARWAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE challenge in this appeal is to the judgment and order of acquittal dated 17.1.2001 rendered by Additional Sessions Judge, Dehradun in Sessions Trial No. 121/2000, State v. Pradeep Agarwal. The learned trial court after the trial of the accused Pradeep Agarwal for the offences under Section 272 and 273 IPC pertaining to PS Dalanwala did not find any guilt on the part of the accused and passed the judgment and order impugned in this appeal. Feeling disgruntled, State has filed this appeal.

(2.) FACTS , in brief, are that on 18.5.1999 at 5 pm, Food Inspector A.K. Sharma took the sample of mixed milk of cow and buffalo from the dairy of the accused Pradeep Agarwal in Dehradun city after adopting the procedure as prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (for short, the Act). He sent the sample on 18.5.1999 itself to the Public Analyst for the analysis of its contents. The Public Analyst vide his report Ex. A-1 dated 2.7.1999 reported that the sample had the presence of urea which was prohibited under Rule 44(L) of the Act. After receiving this report from the laboratory of the Public Analyst, an FIR was lodged at the instance of superior officers by Mr. A.K. Sharma on 9.7.1999 at PS Dalanwala, Dehradun. The investigation culminated into the submission of the chargesheet Ex. A-7 dated 28.10.1999, whereupon the learned Magistrate took cognizance of the matter on 9.3.2000. Charges were levelled for the offences under Section 272/273 IPC, as per the chargesheet submitted against Mr. Pradeep Agarwal and the trial was proceeded. Trial being a session one in nature was proceeded in the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, who has recorded his finding that accused is not guilty and acquitted him.

(3.) THE attention of this Court has been drawn towards another report of the Public Analyst regarding some other sample pertained to another accused of Muzzafarnagar where the Public Analyst has clearly reported the prohibited percentage of the presence of urea in the sample of milk sent for the analysis. Besides while this Public Analyst Dr. S.C. Tiwari, who has given this report Ex. A-1, was examined in the court below, he has accepted this lapse on his part while analyzing the sample taken by the Food Inspector from Mr. Pradeep Agarwal. PW1 Dr. S.C. Tiwari has categorically stated that he did not write the percentage of prohibited urea in the sample of milk, while he himself admits that urea is a necessary ingredient of milk.