The interpretation of Section 2(k) of the Insecticides Act 1968 was crucial in determining the appropriate legal procedure for initiating criminal proceedings in a case involving the sale of duplicate insecticides.

Sabina, J.

1. This petition has been filed under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (`Cr.P.C. in short) wherein petitioner has challenged order dated 3.12.2005 passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Sirsa whereby the charge against the petitioner has been framed under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (`IPC for short) The contents of the complaint read as under :-

" On the above said matter, you are hereby informed that today i.e. 12.7.2004, Baljinder Singh s/o Bakshish Singh, Caste-Jat Sikh, r/o Dhani Kadan Singh, Village Mangla, Distt. Sirsa, Surjit Singh s/o Mangal Singh, Caste Jat Sikh, r/o Dhani Madan Singh, Village Mangla Jaswant Singh Randhawa s/o Bhajan Singh working as General Manager, Coromandal Agrico (Insecticide Company) informed this office that M/s Sham Shree Seeds, Janta Bhawan Road Sirsa, who is running the business of selling insecticides, is selling misbranded insecticides under name and labels of our company. He sold us 2 quintals 45 kgs Padan 4-G, saying it genuine. He took guarantee for it. When we were applying it on our fields, then one doctor from Coromandal Company visited our fields. We showed him the insecticide, upon which, he told me that it is duplicate. Then all those informed me regarding above said matter. For taking immediate action, I along with Police party from City Police Station raided the shop of M/s Sham Shree Seeds. Proprietor of the shop, Om Parkash was present there. He admitted that Baljinder Singh r/o Dhani Kadan Singh, Village Mangla had brought Padan 4G-insecticide manufactured by Coromandal Company. Upon asking,the following unauthorized insecticides were found from his store, for which he was neither having any bill nor any entry in the stock register. So it is clear that this insecticide is duplicate and it is cheating with the framers and company. The insecticides recovered are as:-

Padan 4 G=2Qtls 40 Kgs, recovered from the shop as was returned by the farmer. Insecticide recovered from unauthroised store are : Phorate 10G-1Qtl, Phorate-do-40 Kgs, Microplere Zinc High=4 Qtls, Zinc Suplhate 2%=3 Qtls 60 Kgs Saamudra Shatijaime Liquid 108 Lt. When Om Parkash was asked for these insecticides, he told that he took these insecticides from One Padam Bansal son of Bansi Dhar r/o Gali-Opp City Police Station, When I along with police party, raided that Gali Thakran Wali, where store of Padam Bansal is situated, the following insecticides were found there. These insecticides were recovered after breaking lock, At the time of recovery, local residents farmers Baljinder Singh and Surjit Singh and Satwant Singh of Coromandale Company were present there. The insecticides are Asatit 75% SO=138 Mg. Confidar 200 SI=10 Lt, Padan 4G=14Qtl. Thereafter all these insecticides were brought to City Police Station, Sirsa, Samples of insecticides and fertilizers were drawn. Action wil lbe taken as per the order of the court. You are requested to register a case against Om Parkash Sharma and Padam Bansal who have cheated the farmers and manufacturing company and committed crime while selling misbranded insecticides."

2 Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the FIR in question was liable to be quashed as only a complaint under the Insecticides Act 1968 could have been filed in this case. Hence, the charge could not have been framed against the petitioner under Section 420 IPC. In support of his arguments learned counsel has placed reliance on Jatinder Kumar Jain v. State of Punjab 2008(2) FAC 437, S.C.Sharma and another v. State of Haryana and others 2003(1)RCR (Criminal) 788, Piyara Singh and others v. State of Haryana 2002(3) R.C.R.(Criminal) 290 : 2002(2)RCC 704 and Padam Bansal v. State of Haryana 2005(4) RCR (Crl) 68. Learned State counsel, on the other hand, has opposed the petition. As per Section 2(k) of the Act, the term misbranded

(i)if its label contains any statement, design or graphic representation relating thereto which is false or misleading in an