ORDER :

J.M. KHAZI, J.

Petitioner who is the sole accused has filed this petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C, challenging the criminal proceeding initiated against him in Cr.No.46/2022 for the offences punishable under Sections 7 and 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013.

2. In support of the petition, petitioner has contended that he is one of the partners of M/s Giddegowda contractors. The Karnataka Urban Water Supplies and Drainage Board Division, Shimoga awarded contract, as per agreement dated 14.12.2018. On 08.04.2022 the Assistant Director (Grade-I), filed a complaint alleging that on 27.02.2022 when he visited a Wet Well Tank near private bus stand, adjacent to Indira canteen, Bhadravati, he found manual scavenging work carried out without any safety gears. Based on the said complaint, the concerned police registered the case in Cr.No.46/2022, and petitioner was issued with notice. He has secured anticipatory bail.

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3. On 26.02.2022, the workers were trying to remove defunct Pump set from the wet well in order to replace it with a new pump set. The workers were provided with safety gears, and other material, including uniform. T