Order: In this petition, the conviction and sentence passed on the petitioners by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bellary in C.C.No. 556 of 1973 for having committed an offence punishable under section 66 read with section 122 of the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1966 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’), sentencing each one of the petitioners to pay a fine of Rs. 100 and in default to suffer simple imprisonment for one month and further confirmed by the Sessions Judge, Bellary, in Criminal Appeal No. 87 of 1974, are challenged.

2. The undisputed facts are that petitioner 1 is a firm and the remaining petitioners are partners of the said firm Respondent 1 the Secretary of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Bellary, found that the petitioners had not paid the market fee etc., and hence called upon them to do so. In the said process he directed the petitioners by writing letter Exhibit P-4 to produce account books etc. He sent Exhibit P-4 in exercise of his powers - as is clear from Exhibit P-4 itself - under section 66 of the Act and read with Government Notification Nos. D.P.C. 468 C.M.D. 68 dated 19th July. 1969. The petitioners failed to compl

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