S.K. Dubey, J. -- 1. This order shall govern the disposal of Misc. Petition No. 2516 of 1984 (Krishna Pal Singh v. State of M.P. and another); Misc. Petition No. 2517 of 1984 (Pannalal v. State of M.P. and another); Misc. Petition No. 2518 of 1984 (YeshwantSingh v. State of M.P. and another); Misc. Petition No. 2519 of 1984 (Ramchandra Singh v. State of M.P. and another); Misc. Petition No. 2520 of 1984 (Mandatar Singh v. State of M.P. and another) and Misc. Petition No. 2521 of 1984 (Surendra Singh v. State of M.P. and another).

2. The petitioners in all the petitions are agriculturists, who for their agricultural operations hired labour, Bhils of Tahsil Petalwad, district Jhabua. On some complaints, after investigation concerning Police filed charge sheets under section 16, 17 and 18 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (for short 'the Act') against the petitioners, in the Court of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Petalwad (for short 'the S.D.M.') in Criminal Case Numbers as mentioned below.

S.No. Writ Petition No. Cr. Case No.

1) M.P. No. 2522/84 Criminal Cases No.s

186/83, 187/83,188/83

189/83,197/83,203/83

204/83 and 232/83.

2) W.P. No. 2516/84 Cr. Cas