IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
RAJEEV MISRA, J.
M/S Unique Medicare Products and another - Applicants
Versus
State of U.P. and another - Opposite Parties
APPLICATION U/S 482 NO. 12000 OF 2022.
Decided On : 03-01-2023
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. challenge to summoning order under cr.p.c. (Para 2) |
| 2. allegations of illegal and arbitrary summoning order. (Para 4) |
| 3. opposition regarding summoning order based on established legal criteria. (Para 5 , 6) |
| 4. chemical analyst's report confirming spurious nature. (Para 7) |
| 5. no question of law warranting interference found. (Para 8 , 9) |
| 6. application dismissed. (Para 10 , 11) |
JUDGMENT
Rajeev Misra, J.
Heard Mr. Gaurav Gupta, the learned counsel for applicants and the learned A.G.A. for State.
2. This application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed challenging the summoning order dated 06.09.2021 passed by Special Judge, Drug and Cosmetic Act/Additional Sessions Judge, Court No.2, District-Jhansi in Special Sessions Trial No. 359 of 2021 (State of U.P. through Drug Inspector v. M/s Unique Medicare and another) under Section 17 -B read with Section 18 (a) (i), 18 (c), 27(b), 27 (c) and 27 (d) of Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940 in front of D-36 Site-C UP SID Industrial Area Road, Sikandra, District-Jhansi as well as the entire proceedings of aforementioned Special Sessions Trial now pending in the Court of Special Judge, Drugs and Cosmetic Act/Additional Sessions Judge, Court No.2, District-Jhansi
3. Perused the record.
4. Learned counsel for applicants in support of present application submits that impugned summoning order passed by court below is manifestly illegal and arbitrary. Elaborating his submission, learned counsel for applicant submits that court below has not recorded any reason in the impugned summoning order. It is then contended by learned counsel for applicant that since no reason has been assigned by court below in the impugned summoning order, therefore, same is illegal, arbitrary and therefore, unsustainable in law and fact. It is next contended that no samples were taken from the Firm of applicant in the presence of applicant, which were sent for chemical examination. As per report of chemical analyst, two test are required to be performed to verify the disputed product taken from the firm of the agent of applicant. However, one of test could not be performed by the chemical analyst on account of lack of facilities in the laboratory. It is then contended that since the Chemical examination of the disputed product is itself incomplete, therefore, no inference can be drawn on the basis of aforesaid report submitted by the chemical analyst nor criminal prosecution can be launched against applicant on the basis of same. On the aforesaid premise, learned counsel for applicant submits that impugned summoning order cannot be sustained and therefore, same is liable to be quahsed by this Court.
5. Per contra, the learned A.G.A. has opposed the present application. He submits that issue with regard to the nature of summoning order to be passed in a complaint case now stands settled by the judgement of Apex Court in Nupur Talwar v. Central Bureau of Investigation and Another , (2012) 11 SCC 465 . He has relied upon paragraph 37 of the report, which is reproduced herein-under:-
The Magistrate must provide a reasoned order reflecting application of mind when summoning accused, ensuring sufficient grounds exist for proceeding with the case.
Summoning of accused in a criminal case is a serious matter – Criminal law cannot be set into motion as a matter of course.
Directors are liable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for the conduct of the company's business, and summoning orders require only a prima facie case without extensive procedural scrutiny.
Point of law: A complaint case under Drugs and Cosmetic Act which is a special act and therefore was filed before the Special Judge. Under Section 244 and 245 of the Cr.P.C. cognizance can be taken a....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the necessity of recording reasons and application of mind by the Magistrate when passing a summoning order, especially when the Magistrate's view ....
Non-compliance with statutory provisions and resignation of the accused from the company absolved him of liability, leading to the quashing of the proceedings.
An order under Section 204 of the Cr.P.C. cannot be valid unless the Magistrate provides clear reasoning to establish a prima facie case, ensuring ample judicial consideration.
The requirement of judicial mind in summoning orders and the need to consider a prima facie case at the stage of summoning.
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