(1.) Heard learned counsel for the parties.
(2.) The instant misc. petition has been preferred by the petitioners challenging the order dtd. 16/9/2020 passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Ganganagar and for quashing the proceedings of Criminal Case No. 154/2020 pending in the Court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate Sri Ganganagar for the offences under Sec. 13(1)(c) of the Seeds Control Order, 1983 and Sec. 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
(3.) The principle contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners on the basis whereof the proceedings of the complaint have been assailed is that the mandatory procedure prescribed for sampling of the seeds has not been followed in this case and, therefore, the proceedings of the complaint are liable to be quashed. Learned counsel for the petitioners has placed on record the complaint filed in this case by the Seed Inspector (General), office of Joint Director, Agriculture (Extension) Division, Raisinghnagar and copy of mauka parcha dtd. 8/5/2020. It is submitted that as per the admitted fact mentioned in the complaint, the samples of the seeds were simply packed in the cloth bags and sent to the laboratory for analysis. He, therefore, contends that the mandatory procedure prescribed in the Seeds Act and Rules was not followed. Placing reliance on the decision of this Court in the case of Gauri Shanker and Ors. v. State reported in 2011(2) Cr. L.R.(Raj.) 1685, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the proceedings are liable to be quashed as the mandatory procedure of sampling has not been adhered to.