SHANKAR NARHARI GONGE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard. Admit. Heard finally with the consent of learned Counsel for both the parties.

(2.) This is an application filed under Sec. 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code for quashing the First Information Report dtd. 16/1/2020, in Crime No. 0019/2021, registered with the non- applicant No.1, Police Station Nandura, District Bhandara, for the offence punishable under Sec. 39 of the Maharashtra Money Lending (Regulation) Act, 2014(hereinafter referred to as "the Act of 2014"). The applicants further pray for quashing of the charge- sheet dtd. 2/8/2021, filed by the non-applicant No.1, in the said crime as also Regular Criminal Case No. 361/2021, pending on the file of learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Nandura.

(3.) As per the contents of the First Information Report lodged by the non-applicant No. 2, with the non-applicant No.1, the applicants herein are engaged in the business of money lending without having a valid license therefor. According to him, he therefore made an application as contemplated under Sec. 16 before the District Deputy Registrar, Buldhana. In pursuance to the said application and after hearing the parties, the District Deputy Registrar, submitted a report on 2/1/2020. Pursuant to this report, the First Information Report in question was lodged. It is this First Information Report and the consequent charge-sheet, which is challenged in the present application.