JUDGMENT :

(Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C., to call for the records in C.C.No.1940 of 2015 on the file of the II Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, and quash the same.)

1. This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to quash the complaint in C.C.No.1940 of 2015 pending on the file of the II Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, filed for violating certain procedures in maintaining Form-10 under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

2. The complaint has been filed before the learned Magistrate on 25.05.2015. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the complaint is expressly barred by limitation, since, as per Section 22B of the Minimum Wages Act, unless, the complaint is made within six months from the date of commission of alleged offence, the Court cannot take cognizance of the complaint.

3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

4. The complaint has been filed under Section 22A of the Minimum Wages Act, which states that, contravening to the provisions of the Act would attract a fine which may extend to Rs.500/-.

5. Section 22B of the Act reads as follows :

“22B: Cognizance of offences. (1) N