JAIKRISHNA M KELVANI Vs. STATE OF GOA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Upadhyay, learned Counsel for the petitioners in all the petitions and Mr. Ferreira, learned Public Prosecutor for the respondents in all the petitions.

(2.) Rule, returnable forthwith. Heard by consent of the learned Counsel for the parties.

(3.) These petitions have been preferred by the petitioners under Article 227 of the Constitution of India and Section 482 of Cr.P.C. seeking quashing of several criminal complaints filed by the respondents in Criminal case nos.709/OA/PF/10/C, 710/OA/PF/10/C, 711/OA/PF/10/C, 712/OA/PF/10/C, 713/OA/PF/10/C, 714/OA/PF/10/C, 715/OA/PF/10/C, 716/OA/PF/10/C, 717/OA/PF/10/C, 718/OA/PF/10/C, 719/OA/PF/10/C, 720/OA/PF/10/C, 721/OA/PF/10/C, 722/OA/PF/10/C, 723/OA/PF/10/C, 724/OA/ PF/10/C, 725/OA/PF/10/C, 726/OA/PF/10/C, 727/OA/PF/10/C, 728/OA/PF/10/C, 729/OA/PF/10/C, 730/OA/PF/10/C, 731/OA/ PF/10/B, 732/OA/PF/10/C pending before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Ponda. The complaints have been filed by respondent no.2 against the petitioners on the ground that the petitioners being the directors of the Company Motiff Laboratories Private Limited have committed offences punishable under Sections 14, 14(1B), 14(A) and 14(2A) of the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 r/w Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 framed thereunder.