GEDELA SANKARAM NAIDU Vs. KADRAKA SURANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS Application under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been made to quash the proceedings in B.L.S.A. Case No. 16 of 1980 against the Petitioner for his prosecution under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (for short, the 'Act'). Mr. Y.S.N. Murty for the Petitioner has submitted that the criminal proceedings against the Petitioner are unfounded and misconceived as no offence punishable under the Act has been made out. The opposite party has not entered appearance in spite of service of notice. I have heard Mr. S.K. Das, the learned Additional Standing Counsel, who has assisted this Court at the hearing.

(2.) ON August 28, 1980, the Sub -divisional Officer and Magistrate, First Class, Rayagada, who is said to have been empowered under the Act as the Judicial Magistrate of the First Class for the trial of the cases under the Act, passed the following order: