MANSING SHANKARLAL (DAMOR) MINA Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this batch petitions filed under Sec. 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC), the petitioner sought quash of various FIRs registered against him in various police stations for the offences punishable under Ss. 65(a)(e), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(b) of the Prohibition Act. Since all these petitions are filed by the same petitioner, these petitions are heard together and they are being disposed of by this common order.

(2.) Heard, learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondent - State.

(3.) The petitioner is one of the accused in all the FIRs that were registered in this batch of petitions. As per the prosecution version, the other accused were found to be in illegal possession of various types of liquor unauthorizedly and they have been transporting the said liquor illegally, contrary to the provisions of the Prohibition Act. At that time they were apprehended by the police and the contraband was seized from their possession and they were taken into custody and were interrogated by the police and the aforesaid crimes were registered against them. At the time of interrogating the said arrested accused, it is stated that they have disclosed the name of the petitioner herein also as the person who has supplied the said liquor to them. Therefore, on the basis of the said statement of the co-accused, the petitioner is also shown as an accused in all the above crimes. Taking a clue from the said statement of the co- accused, the Investigating Officers have been investigating the said cases regarding the complicity of the petitioner in commission of the said offences and the role played by him the commission of the said offences punishable under the Prohibition Act. The investigation in the said cases is pending.