RAMESH GUPTA Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD.

(2.) ACCUSED applicant Dr. Ramesh Gupta who is facing trial on the charge under Sections 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, is aggrieved by the order dated 21-8-2001 passed by the Trial Magistrate directing for implead-ment of one Maheshchandra Gupta as co-accused of the case and for his trial jointly with the present accused applicant.

(3.) THE impugned order is passed by taking recourse to Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It is significant to note that the offence in question was committed way-back on 22-12-79. The charge-sheet in the case was filed on 6-1-1982. The charges were framed on 1-4-82. It was only after the entire prosecution evidence was recorded and the case was closed for judgment that the learned Magistrate on his own passed the impugned order, thus, reopening the entire case after more than 20 years of its institution.