A K NATARAJAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a revision preferred by the petitioner against the judgment dated 26-10-1990 in S.T.C. No. 860 of 1990, on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No. 1, Arakonam, convicting the petitioner under section 24 of the Con tract Labour (Regular and Abolished) Act. 1970, for the violations of Rules (12 counts) and sentencing him to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/- for each count totaling to Rs. 12,000/- on his pleading guilt.

(2.) Though the petitioner filed a petition before the lower Court pleading guilty, the conviction and sentence imposed upon the petitioner has been challenged by the petitioner in this revision on the sole ground that a single complaint for 12 different offences is not valid in law under section 218. Cr. P.C.

(3.) Mr. P. Madhavan, learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner contended that section 218. Cr. P.C. for every distinct offence of which any person is accused there shall be a separate charge and every such charge shall be tried separately and that the joinder of charges would be a fatal to the prosecution.