L. MURUGAPPAN Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners have invoked the jurisdiction of this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short, the Cr.P.C.) for quashing of orders dated 10.2.2003 (Annexue P1) 20.10.2003 (Annexure P2) and 1.8.2005 (Annexure P3).

(2.) THE petitioners, who are employees of the Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), are facing trial under Sections 7 and 12-AA of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) read with Clause 19 of the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 pursuant to F.I.R. No. 152 dated 11.8.2001 having been registered at police Station Mehta, District Amritsar. After due investigation, a challan under section 173 of the Cr. P.C. was presented before the Court of Sub Divisional Magistrate, Baba Bakala, who took cognizance of the offences vide order dated 10.2.2003 (Annexure P1). Charge was framed against the petitioners vide order dated 20.10.2003 (Annexure P2) for having committed the a foresaid offences as detailed in the F.I.R. The revision against the framing of charge ensued which was also dismissed by the Sessions judge, Amritsar vide order Annexure P.3.

(3.) I have thoughtfully considered the submissions of the learned counsel for the parties and have perused the record.