( 1 ) ALLEGING evasion of payment of duty under the Central Excise and salt Act, 1944 ('act' for short) punishable under Sections 9 (1} and 9-AA of the Act, respondent-Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise filed a complaint under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the special Court for Economic Offences, Bangalore on 27-7-1995 against m/s. India Tobacco Company Limited ('itc' for short) as the first accused and Ashok Bhatia, Director of ITC as the second accused. On the same day, the learned Magistrate took cognizance of the offences punishable under Sections 9 (1) and 9-AA of the Act and directed issuing of summons to the said two accused. A case was registered at CC No. 1227 of 1995.

( 2 ) IN the very case CC No. 1227 of 1995 on 31-10-1995, respondent- complainant filed before the said learned Magistrate, what he termed 'supplementary complaint' under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure code alleging commission of the very offences punishable under Sections 9 (1) and 9-AA of the Act, but this time, apart from the above said two accused as A-1 and A-2, respondent arrayed A-3 to A-24 and several 01 hers connected with ITC in various cap