M/s Satyug Pesticides vs State of Punjab

Satish Kumar Mittal, J.—The petitioner has filed the instant petition u/s 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for quashing the complaint (Annexure P-1) filed against it under Sections 3k(1), 17, 18, 29 and 33 of the Insecticides Act, 1968 (hereinafter referred to as ''the Act'') read with Rule 27 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 by the Insecticide Inspector and further for quashing the summoning order (Annexure P-2) and all the consequent proceedings arising out of the said complaint.

Petitioner is a licensed dealer and who deals in selling the insecticides in packed condition as packed by the manufacturers. A sample of Isoproturon 75% WP was taken from it on 19.12.2000 which was found to be misbranded by the Public Analyst. Thereupon, the aforesaid complaint was filed.

In the instant petition, the primary contention of the petitioner is that it is not the manufacturer or distributor. It sells the insecticides in sealed packed container as packed and stored by the manufacturer. The sample was taken from its shop in original packed container which was stored in proper condition. Thus, it is entitled for protection u/s 30(3) of the Act and the complaint filed against it under the Act is liable to be quashed.

Counsel for the petitioner further submitted that on the basis of the report of Public Analyst, in which sample of insecticide taken from the petitioners was found to be misbranded, its license was revoked u/s 14 of the Act by the licensing Authority vide order dated 16.3.2001. Against that order, the petitioner filed an appeal u/s 15 of the Act before the Appellate Authority. In the said appeal, the petitioner took the aforesaid plea and claimed the protection u/s 30(3) of the Act. The Appellate Authority vide order dated 13.8.2001 (Annexure P-3) allowed the said appeal while holding that the petitioner is entitled for protection u/s 30(3) of the Act being dealer. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in view of this fact also, the complaint filed by the Insecticide Inspector again the petitioner firm is liable to be quashed.

The controversy involved in this petition is squarely covered by a decision of this Court rendered in Rajinder Kumar v. State of Punjab, 2003 (2) RCR (Cri) 244, wherein it has been held as under:-

.....it is, therefore, held that if the defences available to the dealer have been accepted in the proceedings pertaining to the cancellation of license by the Appellate Authority u/s 15 of the Act by recording a finding in his favour, then the criminal prosecution for the contravention of the same provisions of the Act cannot be allowed to continue and can be quashed by the High Court, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it u/s 482 of the Code.

In view of the aforesaid discussion, we hold that the situation enumerated in Section 30(3) of the Act is the defence available to the accused dealer and he can avail this defence only after the prosecution leads its evidence to prove its case. Before that stage of prosecution, the criminal complaint or the criminal proceedings initiated against the accused dealer for contravention of the provisions of the Act cannot be quashed in exercise of the powers coffered u/s 482 of the Code on the basis of the averments made in the petition and admitted position in the complaint pertaining to the three situations mentioned in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of sub-section (3) of Section 30 of the Act. The only exception in which the criminal complaint and the prosecution can be quashed, is there where the defence available to the dealer u/s 30(3) of the Act has been accepted by the Appellate Authority u/s 15 of the Act while setting aside the order of suspension or revocation of his license. Thus, the question of law referred to this Bench is answered accordingly.

The instant case of the petitioner squarely falls under the aforesaid exception as its defence was accepted by the Appellate Authority and a finding was recorded that it was entitled to protection available u/s 30(3) of the Act.

In view of the aforesaid discussion, the instant petition is allowed. The complaint (Annexure P-1), the summoning order (Annexure P-2) and the subsequent proceedings thereto are hereby quashed.