STATE OF GUJARAT Vs. KAMDHENU SEEDS PRIVATE LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A complaint was lodged by Agricultural Inspector, Himatnagar, against the present respondents alleging breach of provisions of Secs.6 and 7 read with Sec. 19 of the Seeds Act, 1966. It was alleged that respondent No. 1 - Company, headed by respondent No. 2, manufactures hybrid Bajra seeds MH 179 (certified) and respondent Nos. 3 and 4 marketed the same in breach of the above provisions. The complainant-Agricultural Inspector had collected samples in presence of Panch witnesses and had sent the same to the Seed Analyst at Gandhinagar for ascertaining the genetic purity of the said seeds and, as per the report of the said analyst, it was found that only 09.70% of the sample were found to conform to the standard whereas 90.30% of the seeds were not to conform to the standards prescribed for the purpose. As such, the complaint came to be lodged, witnesses examined and after considering the evidence on record, the learned Magistrate came to a conclusion that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge against the accused-respondents. Being aggrieved by the said judgment and order, the State has preferred the present appeal.

(2.) Mr. K. C. Shah, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, has assailed the judgment and order of the learned trial Magistrate on the ground that the learned Magistrate has committed an error in evaluating the evidence. The report of the Seeds Analyst is neglected. He submitted that the learned Magistrate has erred in relying on a copy produced on record by defence showing that the same seeds purchased from Nadiad has been certified to meet the required standards and, therefore, a doubt is created in the prosecution case. Mr. Shah, therefore, submitted that the judgment and order of acquittal may please be set aside by allowing the appeal.

(3.) On the other hand, Mr. K. B. Pujara, learned Advocate appearing for the respondents, submitted that the judgment and order impugned in this appeal is just, legal and proper. The learned Magistrate has considered all aspects relevant for coming to the conclusion. While drawing attention of this Court towards the record and provisions of law, Mr. Pujara submitted that the accused persons are alleged to have committed breach of Secs. 6 and 7 of the Seeds Act and are charged to be punishable under Sec. 19 of the said Act. If the provisions are seen, they only give power to the Government to specify minimum limits of germination and purity, etc. and powers to regulate the sale of seeds of notified kinds or varieties. Mr. Pujara submitted that the prosecution has not brought on record any such rule or notification specifying minimum limits for the hybrid Bajra seed or to show that hybrid Bajra seeds is included in the list that may have been published by the Government under Sec. 7 of the said Act regulating sale and, therefore also, the prosecution cannot be said to have proved the charge against the accused apart from the infirmities that are noticed by the learned Magistrate of not examining the Seeds Analyst and of considering that the same product manufactured by accused Nos. 1 and 2 under same lot number purchased from another dealer is found to conform to the required standards and, therefore, submitted that the judgment and order of acquittal recorded by the learned Magistrate cannot be considered as patently illegal or erroneous or palpably unsustainable. He, therefore, urged that his appeal may be dismissed confirming the impugned judgment and order.