PANCH RAM BARAT Vs. STATE OF M P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this writ petition filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, prayer made by the petitioner is to quash the order dated June 18, 1997 (Annexure P-l) whereby the petitioner has been asked to pay a sum of Rs. 40,000.00 under the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 as also the consequential order dated September 19, 1997 (Annexure P-8).

(2.) Shorn of unnecessary details, facts giving rise to the present writ petition are that on the allegation that the petitioner has employed two child labourers, namely, Rameshwar Ram and Shashi Bhushan, in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court dated December 10, 1986 passed in Civil Appeal No. 465/1986, he has been asked to pay a sum of Rs. 20,000/- each for the two child labourers by the Inspector under the Act.

(3.) It is the stand of the petitioner that without giving any opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, he has been asked to make payment of the said amount. Mr. Mishra appearing on behalf of the petitioner contends that respondents before demanding the sum of Rs. 40,0007- ought to have given opportunity to the petitioner. He submitted that the matter stands concluded by the judgment of this Court dated March 5, 1998 passed in W.P. No. 480971997.