1. The Appellants are accused 1 and 2 in S.T.C.No. 2 of 1986 on the file of the Special Judge (under E.C, Act), Madurai.

2. Accused 1 and 2 were convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three months each and a fine of Rs.100 in default to rigorous imprisonment for one month for the offence under Sec.7 (1)(a)(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (for short ‘the Act’), for refraction or violation of each of the provisions as adumbrated under Clauses 10(a)(b) and 6(1) of the Tamil Nadu Scheduled Commodities (Regulation of Distribution by Card System) Order, 1982 (for short ‘the Order’). The appellants are stated to have remit ted the fine amounts.

3. Accused 1 is a proprietor of a provision store situate at Door No.130, Thathaneri Main Road, Sivakami Nagar, Madurai. Accused 2 is an employee in the said store. On 15.10.1984 at 9.30 A.M.P.W.11, the Inspector of Police, C.S.C.I.D., Madurai South inspected the shop along with other police personnel. At that time, accused 2 was available in the shop transacting the business. During the accurse of inspection, it was found out that 23 ration cards, namely Exs.P-2 to P-24 belonging to P.Ws.2 to 8 and others were av