RAJENDRA PAL Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this revision petition under Section 397 read with Section 401 of the Cr.P.C. petitioner has challenged the concurrent orders of the two Courts below. The petitioner has been convicted by the order of the trial Court dated 26/03/2018 for offence under Section 34(2) of the M.P. Excise Act, 1915 and sentenced to 1 year RI with fine of Rs.30,000/- and further convicted under Section 36 of the Act and sentenced to 6 months RI and fine of Rs.1,000/- and also for offence under Section 36(A) of the Act and sentenced to 1 year RI with fine of Rs.1,000/-. The default sentence of 4-4 months simple imprisonment has been imposed. The learned Additional Sessions Judge by the judgment dated 29/07/2019 by dismissing the appeal has affirmed the judgment of the trial Court.

(2.) The prosecution case is that on 24/11/2008 at 14:15 o'clock, Inspector Gopal Singh of Police Inspector City Kotwali, Mandsaur had received the information from the informant that the petitioner in his Tadka restaurant which is infront of the police line has opened a bar and is managing and controlling the bar through his servants and running the liquor bar. A Panchnama was prepared and information was sent to the CSP and thereafter the team comprising of PSIGeeta, R-Durgashankar, R-Vikrant, R-Vijay Rathore with vediographer had reached the spot. The restaurant was found closed from the front and from the backside it was found that the door was open. The petitioner was sitting in the counter and the liquor was being served through his servants to the customers sitting in the restaurant. It was found that in the guise of the restaurant, the petitioner was running a liquor bar. On asking infront of the witnesses, the petitioner could not produce the liquor license and on searching the counter and store room, the liquor was seized. The sale proceeds bill book etc. were seized and the petitioner along with Dhansingh, Ramesh, Bhupendra Singh, Vinod and other persons were arrested for running the liquor bar and serving the liquor for offence under Section 34(2), 36 and 36(A) of the M.P. Excise Act. Against the persons found to be consuming liquor in the bar, offence under Section 36(B) was registered and after investigation the challan was filed. Petitioner had abjured the guilt, therefore, the trial had taken place and the petitioner has been convicted and sentenced in the manner indicated above. The other co-accused persons have been acquitted.

(3.) Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that all the liquor bottles were not sent to the FSL and only 8 bottles were sent, therefore, there is no proof that the other bottles were containing the liquor. He further submits that there is no evidence that the petitioner is the owner or Manager of the restaurant/bar and that he has already completed more than 6 months in custody.