JUDGMENT - KHARCHE S.T., J.:---Heard Shri Chatterjee, Advocate for the applicants and Shri Dhote, A.P.P. for the respondent.

2.This petition is filed under section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure (for short Code) for quashing the criminal prosecution against the applicants inter alia first information report dated 17th January, 1997 in Crime No. 2 of 1997 and for setting aside the order passed by the 9th Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Nagpur, who refused to stop the proceedings under section 258 of Code.

3.Mr. Chatterji, the learned Counsel for the applicants contended that the applicants are well-famed Astrologers and Astro-Palmists and have made a name in the said profession. The applicants No. 1 to 3 are Astrologers and Astropalmist, applicant No. 4 runs a business of Gems under the name and style of Ratnamela. The applicants No. 5 and 6 are the servant of applicant No. 4. The applicants visited Nagpur in between 14-1-1997 and 18-1-1997 and took up residence and office at Sahakar Mandir Hall, Rana Pratap Nagar, Nagpur. The purpose of the visit of the applicants was to practice the profession of Astrology and Astropalmistry and only for helping the citizens and sorting out the

Click Here to Read the rest of this document