Bhavesh Shah v. State of Punjab

INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoAToo o CHANDIGARHo o o o o o CRM-M-28297-2019o DateoofoDecision:-o06.01.2023o o BHAVESHoSHAHo ,,Petitionero Versuso o STATEoOFoPUNJABo ,,Respondento o CRM-M-49293-2019o o M/SoG.S.P.oCROPoSCIENCEoPVT.oLTD.o&oORS.o o ,,Petitionerso Versuso STATEoOFoPUNJABo o ,,Respondento CORAM:o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoJASJIToSINGHoBEDIo o Present:o Mr.oGauravoChopra,oSr.oAdvocateowitho Ms.oSeeratoSaldi,oAdvocateoforotheopetitioner(s).o o Mr.oKiratoSinghoSidhu,oDAG,oPunjab.o o JASJIToSINGHoBEDI,oJ.o o o o ThisoorderoshallodisposeoofotwoopetitionsobearingoNo.CRM-M-28297-2019otitledoasoBhaveshoShahoVersusoStateoofoPunjaboandoCRM-M-49293-2019otitledoasoM/soG.S.P.oCrop.oScienceoPvt.oLtd.o&oothersoVersuso StateoofoPunjabo&oothers.oForotheosakeoofoconvenience,otheofactsoareobeingo takenofromoCRM-M-28297-2019oasobothotheseopetitionsoareoarisingooutoofo theosameocomplaintoandosummoningoorder.o

2.o o TheopresentopetitionsohaveobeenofiledounderoSectiono482oCr.P.C.oo foroquashingoofotheocomplaintoNo.12oofo2018odatedo23.03.2018o(Annexureo P-1)o registeredo undero Sectionso 3(k)(i),o 17,o 18o ando 33o punishableo undero Sectiono 29(2)o ofo Insecticideso Act,o 1968o reado witho Ruleso 27(5)o ofo Insecticideso Rules,o 1971o titledo "Stateo Vs.o M/so Malouto Beejo Bhandaro &o Others",otheosummoningoorderodatedo23.03.2018o(AnnexureoP-2)oandoallo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -2-o

subsequentoproceedingsoarisingotherefrom.o

3.o o Theobriefofactsoofotheocaseoasoemanatingofromotheorespectiveo pleadingsoareothatoono29.12.2012ooneoHassanoSingh,oInsecticideoInspectoro Maloutovisitedotheoshopopremisesoofoaodealeroi.e.oM/soMaloutoBeejoBhandaro ShopoNo.113,oNewoGrainoMarket,oMaloutoandodrewoaosampleoofoinsecticideo namely,o Clodinafop-Propargylo 15%o WP,o Batcho No.GSR-010,o manufacturingodateo09.12.2021,oexpiryodateo08.12.2013ooutoofoao160ogmso packing.oTheoinsecticideowasoallegedlyomanufacturedoandosuppliedobyotheo accused/Companyo i.e.o M/so G.S.P.o Cropo Scienceo Pvt.o Ltd.o 404,o Lalitao Complex,o 325/3,o Rasalo Road,o Navrangpura,o Ahmedabad,o Gujarat.o Theo InsecticideoInspectorocutoopenedotheosealedopackoofo160ogmsoandowithdrewo 60o gmso insecticideo materialo ando furthero dividedo ito intoo threeo partso ofo samplesoweighingo20ogmsoeach.o

4.o o Thereafter,oono02.01.2013oi.e.oafteroabouto03odaysofromotheodateo ofotheosampling,ooutoofothreeopartsoofotheosampleotaken,ooneopartowasosentotoo theo Senioro Analyst,o Stateo Insecticideo Testingo Laboratory,o Bathindao foro analysiso ando theo sameo waso foundo too beo misbrandedo aftero analysiso video analysisoreportodatedo29.01.2013.oTheoreferralopartoofotheosampleowasofoundo too beo misbrandedo aftero analysiso byo theo Centralo Insecticideo Laboratory,o Faridabado aso theo activeo ingrediento contentso wereo foundo too beo 13.79o %o insteadoofo15o%ovideoanalysisoreportodatedo14.03.2013.oTheocopiesoofotheo analysisoreportodatedo29.01.2013oofotheoStateoInsecticideoTestingoLaboratory,o Bathindao ando re-analysiso reporto datedo 14.03.2013o ofo Centralo Insecticideo Laboratory,oFaridabadoareoannexedoasoAnnexuresoP-3oandoP-4otootheopetitiono (CRM-M-28297-2019).o

5.o o Thereafter,ooneoshowocauseonoticeoisopurportedotoohaveobeeno issuedobyotheoofficeoofotheoChiefoAgricultureoOfficer,oSrioMuktsaroSahibo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -3-o

(hereinafteroreferredotooaso"CAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahib")otootheomanufacturingo company.oAoreplyoisostatedotoohaveobeenosubmittedobyotheoCompanyowhicho wasonotoconsideredobyotheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahib.oo

6.o o Beothatoasoitomay,otheoAgriculturaloDevelopmentoOfficero(PP)o Malouto(hereinafteroreferredotooaso"ADO,oMalout")owroteoaoletteroNo.698o datedo08.09.2014otootheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahiboseekingograntoofosanctiono toobeoaccordedobyotheoJointoDirectoroAgricultureo(PP)oPunjabo(hereinaftero referredotooaso"JDAo(PP)oPunjab")otooinitiateoappropriateoproceedings.oTheo copyo ofo theo saido lettero signedo byo Hassano Singh,o ADOo (PP)o Malouto iso annexedoasoAnnexureoR-1otootheoStateoreplyodatedo22.10.2019.o

7.o o Thereafter,ovideoletteroNo.1862odatedo30.11.2015,otheoAssistanto Planto Officero Hassano Singho wroteo yeto anothero lettero too theo CAO,o Srio MuktsaroSahiboseekingograntoofosanctionotoobeoobtainedofromotheoJDAo(PP)o Punjabosoothatotheocaseocouldobeoinstitutedoinotime.oTheocopyoofotheosaido letteroisoannexedoasoAnnexureoR-2otootheoStateoreplyodatedo22.10.2019.o

8.o o Thereafter,o Hassano Singh,o Insecticideo Inspectoro (theno InspectionoOfficer,oFazilka)othroughotheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahibowroteotoo theoJDAo(PP)oPunjaboaoletterodatedo07.12.2017oseekingograntoofosanction.oIto wasostatedoinotheoletterothatotheofileopertainingotootheopresentocaseohadobeeno missingoinoofficeobecauseoofowhichosanctionocouldonotobeosoughtoearlier.oTheo copyoofotheosaidoletterodulyodespatchedotootheoJDAo(PP)oPunjabowhooisotheo sanctioningoauthorityoisoannexedoasoAnnexureoR-3otootheoStateoreplyodatedo

22.10.2019.o o o Aoperusaloofothisoletterowouldorevealothatoitocontainedo25opageso whereo allo theo necessaryo documentso wereo enclosedo byo theo concernedo InsecticideoInspector/complainantoHassanoSingh.o

9.o o Basedoonotheoaforementionedocommunicationo(AnnexureoR-3),o

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -4-o

sanction/writteno consento foro prosecutiono waso grantedo video ordero datedo

16.02.2018obyotheoconcernedoauthorityoi.e.oJointoDirectoroAgriculture.o o o Aoperusaloofothisoletterowouldorevealothatotheosanctionohasobeeno grantedo pursuanto too theo lettero datedo 08.12.2017.o Theo copyo ofo theo lettero grantingo sanction/writteno consento iso annexedo aso Annexureo P-5o too theo petition.o

10.o o Thereafter,o ono 23.03.2018,o theo impugnedo complainto waso institutedoinotheoCourtoofoSub-DivisionaloJudicialoMagistrate,oMalout,oSrio MuktsaroSahibowhootookocognizanceouponotheosameovideohisoorderodatedo

23.03.2018oleadingotootheopassingoofotheosummoningoorder.oTheocopiesoofo theocomplaintoNo.12oofo2018odatedo23.03.2018oandosummoningoorderodatedo

23.03.2018opassedobyotheoSub-DivisionaloJudicialoMagistrate,oMalout,oSrio MuktsaroSahiboareoannexedoasoAnnexuresoP-1oandoP-2otootheopetition.o

11.o o Theo aforementionedo complainto No.12o ofo 2018o datedo

23.03.2018o(AnnexureoP-1),osummoningoorderodatedo23.03.2018o(Annexureo P-2)oandofurtheroproceedingsoarisingotherefromoareounderochallengeobeforeo thisoCourt.o

12.oo o Theoprimaryogroundoraisedoinobothotheseopetitionsoforoquashingo ofotheocomplaintoandosummoningoorderowasothatothereowasoaofatalodelayoino filingoofotheocomplaintoofoasomuchoaso05oyears,o01omonthoando23odays.oIno addition,o ito waso contendedo ono behalfo ofo theo Bhavesho Shah,o Directoro (petitionero ino CRM-M-o 28297-2019)o thato onceo thereo waso anoAuthorisedo Officer/responsibleoperson/nominatedopersono(FirozoRafiqoAhmedoDiwan-petitionero No.3o ino CRM-M-49293-2019)o whoo waso Inchargeo ofo Qualityo Control,otheopetitionerocouldonotohaveobeenosummonedotoofaceoTrial.o o

13.o o Wheno thiso petitiono (CRM-M-28297-2019)o foro quashingo hado comeoupoforohearing,oproceedingsowereostayedovideoorderodatedo05.07.2019o

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -5-o

andotheoInsecticideoInspectorowhoohadotakenootheosampleowasoaskedotoobeo personallyopresentoinoCourtoonotheonextodateoofohearing.oOno20.09.2019,o HassanoSinghoInsecticideoInspector,oSrioMuktsaroSahibowasopresentoinoCourto andosoughtotimeotoosubmitohisoexplanationoquaotheofatalodelayoinolodgingotheo complaint.oThereafter,ovideoorderodatedo30.10.2019,otheoChiefoAgriculturalo OfficeroBeantoSingh,oSrioMuktsaroSahibowasoalsoodirectedotoobeopresentoino Courtoasoheowasoalsoostatedotoobeoresponsibleoforotheodelayoinoinitiationoofo proceedings.oThereafter,ovideoorderodatedo28.11.2019,oaocostoofoRs.1olakho wasoimposedoonotheoInsecticideoInspector,oHassanoSinghowhichowasotoobeo depositedo witho theo Districto Legalo ServicesoAuthority,o Srio Muktsaro Sahibo withinoaoperiodoofo15odaysofromohisopersonalopocket.oThisowasoonoaccountoofo theofactothatotheoChiefoAgriculturaloOfficeroBeantoSingh,oSrioMuktsaroSahibo hadoexplainedotootheoCourtothatotheofaultolayowithotheoInsecticideoInspectoro forotheodelayoinoseekingosanction.oThereafter,otheomatterowasoadjournedofromo timeotootime.oo

14.o o Meanwhile,oono22.10.2019,oaoreplyowasosubmittedobyowayoofo anoaffidavitoofoHassanoSingh,oInsecticideoInspectorothenopostedoasoAssistanto Planto Protectiono Officer,o Malout,o Srio Muktsaro Sahibo ono behalfo ofo theo respondent.o Aftero narratingo theo admittedo facts,o theo affidavito soughto too explainotheodelayoinofilingoofotheocomplaintobyostatingothatotheoansweringo respondento hado writteno letterso datedo 08.09.2014o (Annexureo R-1)o ando

30.11.2015o(AnnexureoR-2)otootheoofficeoofotheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahiboforo obtainingosanction.oInofact,otheofileowasomisplacedoinotheoofficeoofotheoChiefo AgriculturaloOfficer,oSrioMuktsaroSahiboandotheosameowasolocatedoinotheo monthoofoDecember,o2017.oThereafter,otheoansweringorespondentohadosento theocaseotootheocompetentoauthorityoi.e.oOfficeoofotheoJDAo(PP)oPunjab,o Agricultureo Bhawan,o S.A.S.o Nagaro too accordo sanctiono video lettero datedo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -6-o

07/08.12.2017o(AnnexureoR-3)opursuantotoowhichosanctionowasograntedovideo lettero datedo 16.02.2018o (Annexureo P-5).o Ifo theo periodo 08.09.2014o too

16.02.2018o waso excluded,o theno thereo waso noo delayo ino filingo ofo theo complaint.o Ito iso alsoo contendedo thato ino termso ofo Sectiono 33o ofo theo InsecticidesoAct,o1968,otheopetitionersocouldonotoescapeoliabilityoandoeveryo personowhoowasoInchargeoofoandoliableoforotheoconductoofotheobusinessoofo theoCompanyowasotoobeoprosecutedoincludingotheoDirector.o

15.o o TheolearnedoSeniorocounseloforotheopetitionersocontendsothato thereohasobeenoaodelayoofo05oyears,o01omonthoando23odaysoinofilingotheo complaint.oTheooffenceounderotheoActoisopunishableobyoaomaximumoofo02o yearsoimprisonmentoandotherefore,otheocomplaintocouldohaveobeenofiledoonlyo withino03oyearsofromotheodateoofoknowledgeoofocommissionoofooffence.oTheo reportoofotheopublicoanalystowasoavailableoono29.01.2013oandotheocomplainto wasoinstitutedoono23.03.2018.oEvenoifotheoperiodobetweeno08.12.2017o(dateo onowhichotheosanctionowasosoughtofromotheoappropriateoauthority)otootheo timeosanctionowasograntedoono16.02.2018o(byosanctioningoauthority)owaso excluded,o eveno then,o theo complainto waso hopelesslyo timeo barred.o Heo contendso thato letterso datedo 08.09.2014o (Annexureo R-1)o ando 30.11.2015o (AnnexureoR-2)owrittenobyotheocomplainant-HassanoSinghotootheoCAOo(whoo wasonototheosanctioningoauthority)owouldonotoinoanyomannerohelpotheocaseoofo theocomplainantobyoextendingotheoperiodoofolimitation.ooItoisohisocontentiono thatosinceotheosaidocommunicationsowereosentotootheoinappropriateoauthorityo theo periodo 08.09.2014o (lettero Annexureo R-1)o too 16.02.2018o (Sanctiono grantedoAnnexureoP-5)ocannotobeoexcludedowhileocalculatingolimitation.oHeo contendsothatoinotermsoofoSectiono470o(3)oCr.P.C.otheoperiodothatowasotoobeo excludedo waso onlyo fromo theo timeo wheno theo applicationo waso madeo foro obtainingosanctionouptilotheotimeotheosanctionowasoobtained.oInotheopresento

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -7-o

case,oaoperusaloofotheoorderograntingosanctiono(AnnexureoP-5)owouldoshowo thatotheoapplicationowasomadeotootheoappropriateoauthorityoi.e.otheoCAO,oSrio Muktsaro Sahibo onlyo ono 08.12.2017o (Annexureo R-3)o ando sanctiono waso accordedoono16.02.2018.o Onlyo thiso periodo couldobeo excluded.o o Heo thus,o contendsothatotheocomplaintoisohopelesslyotimeobarredoandoisoliableotoobeo quashedoinoviewoofotheojudgmentsoinoM/soCheminovaoIndiaoLtd.o&oanothero Vs.oStateoofoPunjabo&oanother,o2021(3)oR.C.R.o(Criminal)o750,M/soDoabao SeedoStoreo&oanotheroVs.oStateoofoPunjab,o2018(4)oLawoHeraldo3396,oM/so Insecticideso Indiao Ltd.o &o anothero Vs.o Stateo ofo Punjab,o CRM-M-4744-2018,odecidedoono16.11.2018oandoZimidaraoKhetio&oanotheroVs.oStateoofo Punjab,o2019(1)oR.C.R.o(Criminal)o288.o

16.o o TheolearnedoStateocounseloonotheootherohandowhileoreferringotoo theoreplyodatedo22.10.2019ocontendsothatotheoperiodotoobeoexcludedowouldo beofromo08.09.2014oi.e.otheodateoonowhichotheoADO,oMaloutofirstowroteotoo theo CAOo seekingo sanctiono fromo theo JDAo (PP)o Punjabo video lettero datedo

08.09.2014o(AnnexureoR-1)otootheoactualograntoofosanctionoono16.02.2018o (AnnexureoP-5).oIfothisoperiodowasoexcluded,otheocomplaintowasofiledowithino limitation.oHeocontendsothatotheodelayohadotakenoplaceoonoaccountoofotheofacto thatotheofileohadobeenomisplaced.oHeohoweveroadmitsothatoAnnexuresoR-1o andoR-2odoonotoreferotooanyolossoofotheorecordsoofotheocase.oHeoalsooadmitso thatotheosaidolettersohaveobeenoaddressedotootheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahibo whooisonototheosanctioningoauthority,otheosanctioningoauthorityobeingotheo JDAo(PP)oPunjab.oHe,ohowever,owhileoreferringotootheolettersosubmitsothato theoADO,oMaloutohadowrittenotootheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahibobutoaskedohimo tooobtainosanctionofromotheoJDAo(PP)oPunjab.oHeothusocontendsothatotheo letterodatedo08.09.2019o(AnnexureoooR-1)oisotheofirstoletterowhichohadobeeno writtenoforotheograntoofosanctionoandotherefore,otheoperiodouptoo16.02.2018o

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -8-o

(AnnexureoP-5)oisotoobeoexcludedowhileocomputingolimitation.oo

17.o o Iohaveoheardotheolearnedocounseloforotheopartiesoatolength.o

18.o o Beforeo proceedingo ino theo matter,o ito wouldo beo appositeo too examineotheorelevantoprovisionsoofolawoinothisoregard:-o o o Sectiono29oofotheoInsecticidesoAct,o1968,oreadsoasounder:-oo o o o 29.oOffencesoandopunishment.-(1)oWhoever,-o

(a)oimports,omanufactures,osells,ostocksooroexhibitsoforosaleo oro distributeso anyo insecticideo deemedo too beo misbrandedo underosub-clauseo(i)oorosub-clauseo(iii)oorosub-clauseo(viii)o ofoclauseo(k)oofosectiono3;ooro

(b)oimportso oro manufactureso anyo insecticideo withouto ao certificateooforegistration;ooro

(c)omanufactures,o sells,o stockso oro exhibitso foro saleo oro distributesoanoinsecticideowithoutoaolicence;ooro

(d)osellsoorodistributesoanoinsecticide,oinocontraventionoofo sectiono27;ooro

(e)ocauseso ano insecticide,o theo useo ofo whicho haso beeno prohibitedounderosectiono27,otoobeousedobyoanyoworker;ooro

(f)oobstructsoanoInsecticideoInspectoroinotheoexerciseoofohiso powersoorodischargeoofohisodutiesounderothisoActoorotheo rulesomadeothereunder,o[shallobeopunishable—o

(i)oforotheofirstooffence,owithoimprisonmentoforoaotermo whichomayoextendotootwooyears,oorowithofineowhichoshallo notobeolessothanotenothousandorupeesobutowhichomayo extendotoofiftyothousandorupees,oorowithoboth;o

(ii)oforo theo secondo ando ao subsequento offence,o witho imprisonmento foro ao termo whicho mayo extendo too threeo years,oorowithofineowhichoshallonotobeolessothanofifteeno thousandorupeesobutowhichomayoextendotooseventy-fiveo thousandorupees,oorowithoboth.]o

(2)oWhoevero useso ano insecticideo ino contraventiono ofo anyo provisionoofothisoactooroanyoruleomadeothereunderoshallobeo punishableo witho fineo [whicho shallo noto beo lesso thano fiveo hundredo rupeeso buto whicho mayo extendo too fiveo thousando

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -9-o

rupees,ooroimprisonmentoforoaotermowhichomayoextendotoosixo months,oorowithoboth].o

(3)oWhoeverocontravenesoanyoofotheootheroprovisionsoofothiso Acto oro anyo ruleo madeo thereundero oro anyo conditiono ofo ao certificateo ofo registrationo oro licenceo grantedo thereunder,o shallobeopunishable—o

(i)oforotheofirstooffence,owithoimprisonmentoforoaotermo whichomayoextendotoo[oneoyear,oorowithofineowhicho shallonotobeolessothanofiveothousandorupeesobutowhicho mayoextendotootwenty-fiveothousandorupees,oorowitho both],o

(ii)oforo theo secondo ando ao subsequento offence,o witho imprisonmentoforoaotermowhichomayoextendotoo[twoo years,oorowithofineowhichoshallonotobeolessothanoteno thousando rupeeso buto whicho mayo extendo too fiftyo thousandorupees,oorowithoboth].o

(4)oIfo anyo persono convictedo ofo ano offenceo undero thisoActo commitsoaolikeooffenceoafterwardsoitoshallobeolawfuloforotheo courto beforeo whicho theo secondo oro subsequento convictiono takeso placeo too causeo theo offender'so nameo ando placeo ofo residence,o theo offenceo ando theo penaltyo imposedo too beo publishedoinosuchonewspapersooroinosuchootheromanneroaso theocourtomayodirect.o o Sectiono31oofotheoInsecticidesoAct,o1968,oreadsoasounder:-o

31.oCognizanceoandotrialoofooffences.-(1)oNooprosecutiono foroanooffenceounderothisoActoshallobeoinstitutedoexceptoby,o orowithotheowrittenoconsentoof,otheoStateoGovernmentooroao personoauthorisedoinothisobehalfobyotheoStateoGovernment.o

(2)oNoo courto inferioro too thato ofo ao 1[Metropolitano MagistrateooroaoJudicialoMagistrateoofotheofirstoclass]oshallo tryoanyooffenceounderothisoAct.o o Sectiono33oofotheoInsecticidesoAct,o1968oreadsoasounder:-o

33.o Offenceso byo companies.-(1)o Whenevero ano offenceo underothisoActohasobeenocommittedobyoaocompany,oeveryo personowhooatotheotimeotheooffenceowasocommitted,owasoino chargeo of,o oro waso responsibleo too theo companyo foro theo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -10-o

conductoofotheobusinessoof,otheocompany,oasowelloasotheo company,oshallobeodeemedotoobeoguiltyoofotheooffenceoando shallo beo liableo too beo proceededo againsto ando punishedo accordingly:o Providedothatonothingocontainedoinothisosub-sectionoshallo renderoanyosuchopersonoliableotooanyopunishmentoundero thiso Acto ifo heo proveso thato theo offenceo waso committedo withouto hiso knowledgeo oro thato heo exercisedo allo dueo diligenceotoopreventotheocommissionoofosuchooffence.o

(2)oNotwithstandingoanythingocontainedoinosub-sectiono

(1),o whereo ano offenceo undero thiso Acto haso beeno committedo byo ao companyo ando ito iso provedo thato theo offenceo haso beeno committedo witho theo consento oro connivanceoof,ooroisoattributableotooanyoneglectoonotheo parto of,o anyo Director,o Manager,o Secretaryo oro othero officero ofo theo company,o sucho Director,o Manager,o Secretaryoorootheroofficeroshalloalsoobeodeemedotoobeo guiltyo ofo thato offenceo ando shallo beo liableo too beo proceededoagainstoandopunishedoaccordingly.o oExplanation.—Forotheopurposeoofothisosection,—o

(a)o"company"omeansoanyobodyocorporateoandoincludeso aofirmoorootheroassociationoofoindividuals;oando

(b)o"director",oinorelationotooaofirm,omeansoaopartneroino theofirm.o o o Sectiono468oofotheoCr.P.C.oreadsoasounder:-o

468.oooBarotootakingocognizanceoafterolapseoofotheoperiodoofo limitation.-(1)oExceptoasootherwiseoprovidedoelsewhereoino thisoCode,onooCourtoshallotakeocognizanceoofoanooffenceoofo theocategoryospecifiedoinosub-osectiono(2),oafterotheoexpiryo ofotheoperiodoofolimitation.o

(2)oTheoperiodoofolimitationoshallobe-o

(a)osixo months,o ifo theo offenceo iso punishableo witho fineo only;o

(b)ooneo year,o ifo theo offenceo iso punishableo witho imprisonmentoforoaotermonotoexceedingooneoyear;o

(c)othreeo years,o ifo theo offenceo iso punishableo witho

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -11-o

imprisonmento foro termo exceedingo oneo yearo buto noto exceedingothreeoyears.o

(3)Forotheopurposesoofothisosection,otheoperiodoofolimitationo inorelationotoooffencesowhichomayobeotriedotogether,oshallo beo determinedo witho referenceo too theo offenceo whicho iso punishableo witho theo moreo severeo punishmento or,o aso theo caseomayobe,otheomostosevereopunishment.]o o o Sectiono469oofotheoCr.P.C.oreadsoasounder:-o

469.oCommencementoofotheoperiodoofolimitation.-o(1)oTheo periodo ofo limitation,o ino relationo too ano offender,o shallo commence,-o

(a)oonotheodateoofotheooffence;ooro

(b)owhereotheocommissionoofotheooffenceowasonotoknowno tootheopersonoaggrievedobyotheooffenceoorotooanyopoliceo officer,otheofirstodayoonowhichosuchooffenceocomesotootheo knowledgeo ofo sucho persono oro too anyo policeo officer,o whicheveroisoearlier;ooro

(c)owhereo ito iso noto knowno byo whomo theo offenceo waso committed,o theo firsto dayo ono whicho theo identityo ofo theo offenderoisoknownotootheopersonoaggrievedobyotheooffenceo oro too theo policeo officero makingo investigationo intoo theo offence,owhicheveroisoearlier.o

(2)oInocomputingotheosaidoperiod,otheodayofromowhichosucho periodoisotoobeocomputedoshallobeoexcluded.o o o Sectiono470oofotheoCr.P.C.oreadsoasounder:-o

470.oExclusionoofotimeoinocertainocases.-(1)oInocomputingo theoperiodoofolimitation,otheotimeoduringowhichoanyopersono haso beeno prosecutingo witho dueo diligenceo anothero prosecution,owhetheroinoaoCourtoofofirstoinstanceooroinoao Courtoofoappealoororevision,oagainstotheooffender,oshallobeo excluded:o Providedothatonoosuchoexclusionoshallobeomadeounlessotheo prosecutionorelatesotootheosameofacts'oandoisoprosecutedoino goodofaithoinoaoCourtowhichofromodefectoofojurisdictionooro otherocauseoofoaolikeonature,oisounableotooentertainoit.o

(2)oWhereotheoinstitutionoofotheoprosecutionoinorespectoofo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -12-o

anooffenceohasobeenostayedobyoanoinjunctionooroorder,othen,o inocomputingotheoperiodoofolimitation,otheoperiodoofotheo continuanceoofotheoinjunctionooroorder,otheodayoonowhichoito waso issuedo oro made,o ando theo dayo ono whicho ito waso withdrawn,oshallobeoexcluded.o

(3)oWhereonoticeoofoprosecutionoforoanooffenceohasobeeno given,oorowhere,ounderoanyolawoforotheotimeobeingoinoforce,o theopreviousoconsentoorosanctionoofotheoGovernmentooroanyo othero authorityo iso requiredo foro theo institutiono ofo anyo prosecutionoforoanooffence,othen,oinocomputingotheoperiodo ofolimitation,otheoperiodoofosuchonoticeoor,oasotheocaseomayo be,o theo timeo requiredo foro obtainingo sucho consento oro sanctionoshallobeoexcluded.o Explanation.-oInocomputingotheotimeorequiredoforoobtainingo theoconsentoorosanctionoofotheoGovernmentooroanyoothero authority,otheodateoonowhichotheoapplicationowasomadeoforo obtainingotheoconsentoorosanctionoandotheodateooforeceipto ofotheoorderoofotheoGovernmentoorootheroauthorityoshallo bothobeoexcluded.o

(4)oInocomputingotheoperiodoofolimitation,otheotimeoduringo whichotheooffender-o

(a)ohaso beeno absento fromo Indiao oro fromo anyo territoryo outsideoIndiaowhichoisounderotheoadministrationoofotheo CentraloGovernment,ooro

(b)o ohaso avoidedo arresto byo abscondingo oro concealingo himself,oshallobeoexcluded.o o o Sectiono473oofotheoCr.P.C.oreadsoasounder:-o

473.oExtensionoofoperiodoofolimitationoinocertainocases.-o Notwithstandingo anythingo containedo ino theo foregoingo provisionsoofothisoChapter,oanyoCourtomayotakeocognizanceo ofoanooffenceoafterotheoexpiryoofotheoperiodoofolimitation,oifo itoisosatisfiedoonotheofactsoandoinotheocircumstancesoofotheo caseothatotheodelayohasobeenoproperlyoexplainedoorothatoito isonecessaryosootoodooinotheointerestsoofojustice.o

19.o o Itowouldoalsoobeorelevantotooexamineotheovariousojudgmentsoono

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -13-o

o o TheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinotheocaseoofoM/soCheminovao IndiaoLtd.o(supra),oheldoasounder:-o "10.o Ino theo presento case,o ito iso noto ino dispute,o theo complainant-2ndo respondento haso receivedo theo reporto ofo analysiso ono 14.03.2011o fromo theo Insecticideo Testingo Laboratory,oLudhianaoandotheocomplaintowasolodgedoono

25.03.2014owhichoisobeyondoaoperiodoofothreeoyearsofromo

14.03.2011.oTheoonlyosubmissionoofotheolearnedocounselo foro theo Stateo iso thato furthero reporto fromo theo Centralo InsecticideoTestingoLaboratoryowasoreceivedoono09.12.2011o whichoisotheoconclusiveoevidenceoofotheofacts,oasosuch,otheo complaintoisowithinotheoperiodoofolimitation.oWeoareonoto convincedowithosuchosubmissionomadeobyolearnedocounselo foro theo State.o Wheno ito iso clearo fromo theo languageo ofo Sectiono469,o Cr.PCo thato theo periodo ofo limitationo shallo commenceoonotheodateoofooffence,othereoisonooreasonotoo seeko computationo ofo limitationo onlyo fromo theo dateo ofo receipto ofo reporto ofo theo Centralo Insecticideo Testingo Laboratory,oFaridabad.oAsoperotheoprocedureoprescribedo underotheoStatute,oi.e.,oInsecticideoAct,o1968oandotheoruleso madeo thereunder,o theo Insecticideo Testingo Laboratory,o Ludhianao waso theo competento authorityo too whicho theo sampleo waso sento ono 17.02.2011,o aftero drawingo ono

10.02.2011,o ando theo reporto ofo analysiso waso receivedo ono

14.03.2011,oasosuchotheosaidodateoisosaidotoobeotheocrucialo dateoforocommencementoofoperiodoofolimitation.oByovirtueo ofotheosaidoreportoreceivedoono14.03.2011owhichostatesothato theoactiveoingredientoofotheosampleowasoonlyotootheoextento

34.70%oasoagainstotheolabelledodeclarationoofo40%,oitoiso clearothatoitoisotheodateoofooffenceoallegedlyocommittedobyo theoaccused.oMerelyobecauseoaofurtherorequestoisomadeoforo sendingo theo sampleo too theo Centralo Insecticideo Testingo Laboratory,o aso contemplatedo undero Sectiono24(4)o ofo theo Act,owhichoreportowasoreceivedoono09.12.2011,oreceiptoofo suchoanalysisoreportoono09.12.2011ocannotobeotheobasisoforo commencemento ofo limitation.o Theo reporto ofo analysiso

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -14-o

receivedo fromo theo Insecticideo Testingo Laboratory,o Ludhianaoono14.03.2011oitselfoindicatesomisbranding,oaso statedo ino theo complaint,o thus,o theo periodo ofo limitationo withinotheomeaningoofoSectiono469,oCr.PCocommencesofromo

14.03.2011oonly.oInothatoviewoofotheomatter,oweoareoclearlyo ofotheoviewothatotheocomplaintofiledoisobarredobyolimitationo andoallowingotheoproceedingsotoogooon,oonosuchocomplaint,o whicho iso exo facieo barredo byo limitationo iso nothingo buto amountsotooabuseoofoprocessoofolaw.oThoughotheolearnedo counselo haso alsoo raisedo othero groundso ino supporto ofo quashing,oasoweoareopersuadedotooacceptohisosubmissiono thato complainto filedo iso barredo byo limitation,o ito iso noto necessaryotoodealowithosuchootherogroundsoraised."o (emphasisosupplied)o o o ThisoCourtoinotheocaseoofoM/soDoabaoSeedoStoreo(supra),oheldo asounder:-o

13.o Ino Sanjayo Kumar'so caseo (supra),o Hon'bleo Supremeo Courtoheldothatotheolimitationotoofileocomplaintostartsofromo theodateooforeceiptooforeportoofoPublicoAnalystoandonotofromo theo dateo ofo collectiono ofo sampleo byo theo Drugo Inspector.o Similarly,o thiso Courto ino Omo Parkasho Aggarwal'so caseo (supra),o heldo thato theo limitationo foro filingo ao complainto underotheoActoisothreeoyearsofromotheodateooforeceiptoofo StateoPublicoAnalystoReportoandotheocomplaintoinstitutedo afteroaoperiodoofothreeoyearsoisobarredounderoSectiono468o Cr.P.C.,o1973.o

14.o Ino theo caseo ino hand,o theo sampleo waso drawno ono

18.07.2012o ando theo analysiso reporto waso receivedo ono

22.08.2012,owhereasotheocomplaintowasofiledoinotheoCourto ono 01.07.2016,o aso iso apparento fromo Annexureo P-1.o Therefore,o thiso Courto findso thato thereo appearso too beo substanceo ino theo argumento ofo learnedo counselo foro theo petitioners.o Merelyo becauseo theo sampleo waso sento foro ao secondolaboratoryotestoonotheorequestoofoaccusedoisoofonoo helpo foro theo complainanto too delayo theo filingo ofo theo complaint.oTheopetitionersocannotobeoheldoresponsibleoforo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -15-o

theodelay,oifoany,oasotheosameoisosolelyoatotheobehestoofotheo complainant.o

15.oItowouldobeopertinentotoomentionohereothatothoughotheo petitionersocouldohaveoavailedotheoremedyooforevision,obuto wheno fromo theo faceo ofo it,o thiso Courto findso thato theo complaintowasofiledobyotheocomplainantobeyondotheoperiodo ofolimitation,oinocaseotheosaidocomplaintoisoallowedotoobeo continued,o ito wouldo beo ao futileo exercise.o Therefore,o thiso CourtowhileoinvokingotheoprovisionsoofoSectiono482oCr.P.C.o 1973ocanoentertainotheopresentopetition.oInothisoregard,othiso CourtofindsosupportofromoPrabhuoChawlaoVersusoStateoofo Rajasthano ando anothero 2016(4)o RCRo (Criminal)o 270,o whereinoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtohasoheldothatoaopetitiono foroquashingotheoorderoofoMagistrateoisomaintainableoando theoavailabilityooforemedyounderoSectiono397oCr.PCowouldo noto makeo ao petitiono undero Sectiono 482o Cr.PCo noto maintainable.ooo

16.oThus,oforotheoreasonsostatedohereinabove,otheopresento petitionsoareoallowedoandothereobeingoaostatutoryobaroofo limitation,o thiso Courto haso noo hesitationo too quasho theo complaintodatedo01.07.2016o(AnnexureoP-1)oasowelloasotheo summoningo ordero datedo 04.08.2016o (Annexureo P-3)o passedobyolearnedoChiefoJudicialoMagistrate,oSBSoNagar."o (emphasisosupplied)o o o Ino theo caseo ofo M/so Insecticideso Indiao Ltd.o (supra),o heldo aso under:-o

6.o Havingo giveno thoughtfulo considerationo too theo rivalo submissionsomadeobyolearnedocounseloforotheoparties,othiso Courtofindsomeritoinotheoinstantopetitionoforotheoreasonsotoo follow:-o

1.oUndisputedly,otheopremisesoofoM/soSitaraoLaloRaghviro Parkasho waso raidedo byo theo complainanto ono 16.07.2011.o Reportoquaomisbrandingoofofirstosampleowasoreceivedoono

25.07.2011oandosecondoreportofromoFaridabadoauthorityo wasoreceivedoono01.02.2012.oTheoimpugnedocomplaintowaso filedoono22.07.2015oi.e.oafteroaoperiodoofo3oyears,o5omonthso

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -16-o

ando 10o days.o Theo periodo ofo limitationo foro filingo theo complainto undero subo clauseo 2(c)o ofo Sectiono468oCr.P.C,o 1973oisothreeoyears.oTherefore,oafteroexpiryoofothreeoyears,o theo impugnedo complainto couldo noto haveo beeno filed.o Sanctionolettero(P-3)oshowsothatotheocomplainantoappliedo forosanctionoono19.08.2014oandotheosameowasograntedoono

10.11.2014oi.e.owithinothreeomonths.oInocase,otheoperiodoofo threeomonthsoisoexcluded,otheoimpugnedocomplaintofiledoono

22.07.2015ocanostilloeasilyobeodeclaredobeingohopelesslyo timeobarred.o

7.oInotheorulingsoreferredoabove,oitoisoheldothatolimitationotoo prosecuteounderotheoActostartsofromotheodateooforeceiptooforeporto ofopublicoanalystsoandonotofromotheodateoofocollectionoofosampleo andoif,otheocomplaintoisofiledobeyondotheoperiodoofolimitationoofo threeoyears,otheosameoisonotomaintainable."o (emphasisosupplied)o o o InotheocaseoofoM/soZimidaraoKhetio(supra),oheldoasounder:-o

10.oHavingoheardotheolearnedocounseloforotheoparties,othiso Courtofindsoadequateosubstanceoinotheoargumentoraisedobyo learnedocounseloforotheopetitioners.oAobareoperusaloofotheo factsoofotheocaseoonorecordoshowsothatotheoreportoofotheo GovernmentoAnalystohadobeenoreceivedobyotheocomplainanto ono26.06.2007.oEvenotheosanctionoforoprosecution,othougho appliedo tooo belatedlyo ono 12.01.2010,o waso receivedo ono

17.09.2010o itself.o Henceo aso pero theo mandateo ofo Sectiono 468(3)oofoCr.P.C;oandojudgmentoofoSupremeoCourtoinotheo caseoofoStateoofoRajasthan(Supra)ocomplaintoinotheopresento caseocouldohaveobeenofiled,oatotheobest,owithinoaoperiodoofo 03o yearso fromo theo dateo ofo receipto ofo reporto ofo theo Governmento Analyst.o However,o theo complainto haso beeno filedo aftero 08o yearso fromo theo saido date.o Hence,o theo complaintoinotheopresentocaseoisohopelesslyotimeobarred.o o *****oo ****o o ****o

13.Sinceo takingo ofo cognizanceo byo theo Courto itselfo iso prohibited;o ino caseo theo complainto noto filedo withino theo prescribedoperiod,otherefore,otheosubsequentoproceedingoino

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -17-o

theoformoofosummoning,oorderoalsoostandsovitiated.oThiso Courtohasoalreadyoconsideredothisoaspectoinotheocaseoofo SohanoSinghoandoothers(supra).oTheocaseoofotheopresento petitioneroisofurtherofortifiedobyotheofactothatoinotheosameo complaint,otheomanufacturer,owhooisoprimarilyoresponsibleo foromanufacturingoofospuriousoinsecticide,oalreadyostandso dischargedoonotheobasisoofocomplaintobeingotimeobarredo only.o Learnedo Stateo counselo haso noto broughto ono recordo anythingotooshowothatotheoStateohasoevenochallengedothato orderoinofavouroofotheomanufacturer.oInoviewoofothis,othereo iso noo legalo justification,o whatsoever,o foro continuingo theo proceedingso againsto theo petitioners;o whoo happenso too beo onlyoaoretaileroofotheoproduct;ofoundotoobeospurious."o (emphasisosupplied)o

20.o o Aocombinedoreadingoofotheoaforementionedoprovisionsoofolawo ando theo judgmentsowouldo makeo itoapparento thatotheo periodoofolimitationo beginsofromotheoreceiptoofotheoreportoofotheoAnalyst.oTheoperiodoofolimitationo iso 03o yearso fromo theo saido date.o However,o theo timeo spento ino obtainingo sanctionoisotoobeoexcluded.o

21.o o Comingo backo too theo factso ofo theo presento case,o ito wouldo beo relevanto too noteo certaino dateso ando eventso whicho haveo beeno enumeratedo belowoinoaotabulatedoform:-o Raid/shopovisit/sampleocollectedo 29.12.2012o --o Sentoforosamplingoo 02.01.2013o --o st1 o sampleo ofo Insecticideo Qualityo Controlo 29.01.2013o AnnexureoP-3o Laboratory,oBathinda.oo nd2 o Sampleo ofo Centralo Insecticideso 14.03.2013o AnnexureoP-4o Laboratory,oNH-IV,oFaridabad.o LetteroNo.698osentobyoHassanoSingh,oADOo 08.09.2014o AnnexureoR-1o

(PP),o Malouto too CAO,o Srio Muktsaro Sahibo seekingosanctionotoobeoaccordedofromoJDAo

(PP)oPunjab.oo LetteroNo.1862osentobyoHassanoSingh,oAsst.o 30.11.2015o AnnexureoR-2o Planto Protectiono Officer,o Malout,o Distt.o

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -18-o

MuktsaroSahibotooCAO,oSrioMuktsaroSahibo seekingosanctionotoobeoaccordedofromoJDA,o

(PP)oPunjab.oo Lettero fromo Hassano Singh,o Insecticideo 07/08.12.2017o AnnexureoR-3o Inspectoro(thenoInspectionoOfficer,oFazilka)o througho theo CAO,o Srio Muktsaro Sahibo too JDAo (PP)o Punjabo seekingo granto ofo sanction.o Sanctiono foro prosecutiono grantedo byo JDAo 16.02.2018o AnnexureoP-5o

(PP)oPunjab.o

23.03.2018o AnnexureoP-1oComplainto No.12o ofo 2018o datedo

23.03.2018o registeredo undero Sectionso 3(k)(i),o17,o18oando33opunishableoundero Sectiono 29(2)o ofo Insecticideso Act,o 1968o reado witho Ruleso 27(5)o ofo Insecticideso Rules,o1971.o Summoningoorderoo 23.03.2018o AnnexureoP-2o o

22.o o AsoperotheolearnedoSeniorocounseloforotheopetitioner(s),oinotermso ofo Sectiono 470o Cr.P.C.,o onlyo theo periodo betweeno 07/08.12.2017o ando

16.02.2018o couldo beo excludedo sinceo thato timeo waso utilizedo too obtaino sanction.oOnotheootherohand,oasoperotheorespondent/complainant,otheoperiodo betweeno08.09.2014otoo16.02.2018owasotoobeoexcludedowhichowouldomakeo theofilingoofotheocomplaintowithinotheoperiodoofolimitation.o o o AoperusaloofoAnnexuresoR-1oandoR-2owouldoshowothatotheosaido communicationsohaveobeenodespatchedobyotheoADO,oMaloutotootheoCAO,o Srio Muktsaro Sahib.oTheo CAO,o Srio Muktsaro Sahiboiso noto theo sanctioningo authorityo aso iso apparento fromo theo letterso themselves.o Theo sanctioningo authorityowasotheoJDAo(PP)oPunjab.oNothingopreventedotheoADO,oMaloutoino writingotootheoJDAo(PP)oPunjaboseekingograntoofosanction.oInofact,otheolasto applicationo datedo 07.12.2017o waso addressedo byo theo complainant/Hassano SinghotootheoJDAo(PP)oPunjabothoughoroutedothroughotheoCAO,oSrioMuktsaro

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -19-o

Sahib.oItowasoonothisoapplicationoonlyothatotheosanctionowasoactuallyogranted.o AoperusaloofotheoexplanationotooSectiono470(3)oCr.P.C.oexplanationowouldo revealothatotheotimeowhichowasotoobeoexcludedowasofromotheodateoonowhicho theoapplicationowasomadeoforoobtainingotheoconsentoorosanctionoandotheodateo oforeceiptoofotheoorderograntingoconsent/sanctionobyotheoGovernment.oInotheo presentocase,oaoperusaloofoAnnexureoP-5oi.e.otheosanctioningoorderowouldo showothatoitoisobasedoonoaocommunicationodatedo07/08.12.2017o(Annexureo R-3)oandonotoonotheoearlierocommunicationsodatedo08.09.2014o(Annexureoo R-1)ooro30.11.2015o(AnnexureoR-2).oInofact,oifotheoargumentsoofotheoStateo waso acceptedo thato Annexureso R-1o ando Annexureo R-2o wereo parto ofo theo processoofoobtainingosanction,othenotheoprocessoofoobtainingosanctionowouldo beoaoneveroendingoprocess.oTheocomplainantowouldorepeatedlyowriteotooano authorityo whicho iso admittedlyo noto theo appropriateo sanctioningo authority,o therebyocausingosignificantodelayoinoprosecutionoandounendingomiseryoforoao prospectiveoaccusedoasowell.o o o Though,o thereo haso beeno ao referenceo ino theo lettero datedo 07/08.12.2017o(AnnexureoR-3)oofotheorecordobeingomissingofromotheoofficeo leadingotootheodelay,othisofactoofotheorecordobeingomissingodoesonotofindo mentionoinoeitherolettersoAnnexuresoR-1ooroR-2.oFurther,oifotheocomplainanto hadotriedotooexplainotheodelayoinofilingoofotheocomplaintoonoaccountoofotheo recordobeingomisplaced,onothingopreventedohimofromomovingoanoappropriateo applicationo undero Sectiono 473o Cr.P.C.o seekingo extensiono ofo periodo ofo limitation.o Ino thato eventuality,o theo summoningo Courto couldo haveo beeno consideredotheoprayeroonotheobasisoofotheofactsoofotheocase.oHowever,otheo sameoforoinexplicableoreasonsohasonotobeenodone.oTherefore,oitoisoapparento thatotheoperiodotoobeoexcludedoinocalculatingolimitationoofothreeoyearsowaso onlyo betweeno 07/08.12.2017o (Annexureo R-3)o ando 16.02.2018o (Annexureooo

CRM-M-28297-2019o o o o o o o o -20-o

P-5)oandonoto08.09.2019o(AnnexureoR-1)otoo16.02.2018o(AnnexureoP-5)oaso isobeingocanvassedobyotheoState.o o o Goingo byo theo aforementionedo discussion,o theo periodo ofo limitationowouldobeginofromo29.01.2013owhenotheoreportoofotheosampleowaso firstoobtainedofromotheoInsecticideoQualityoControloLaboratory,oBathinda,o DepartmentoofoAgriculture,oPunjab.oHowever,otheocomplaintohasobeenofiledo ono23.03.2018.oExcludingotheoperiodo07/08.12.2017otoo16.02.2018,oitocanobeo seenothatotheocomplaintohasobeenofiledoafteroapproximatelyofiveoyearsothougho itoshouldohaveobeenofiledowithinothreeoyearsofromo29.01.2013oexcludingotheo timeospentoinoobtainingosanction.oTherefore,otheocomplaintoNo.12oofo2018o datedo23.03.2018o(AnnexureoP-1)oisohopelesslyobarredobyotime.o

23.o o Inoviewoofotheoaforementionedodiscussion,otheopresentopetitionso areoallowedoandotheocomplaintoNo.12oofo2018odatedo23.03.2018o(Annexureo P-1)o registeredo undero Sectionso 3(k)(i),o 17,o 18o ando 33o punishableo undero Sectiono 29(2)o ofo Insecticideso Act,o 1968o reado witho Ruleso 27(5)o ofo Insecticideso Rules,o 1971,o theo summoningo ordero datedo 23.03.2018o (AnnexureoP-2)oalongowithoallosubsequentoproceedingsoarisingotherefromoareo herebyoquashed.o o o o06.01.2023oo o o o o (JASJIToSINGHoBEDI)o Jitesho o o o o o o o JUDGEo o Whetherospeaking/reasoned:-o o o o o o Yes/Noo WhetheroReportable:-o o o o o o o Yes/Noo