ORAL ORDER

Sri. T.Hanumareddy, learned Additional Government Advocate accepts notice for the respondents.

2. The petitioners/accused Nos. 1 and 2, who have been charge-sheeted for offences punishable under Sections 3, 6A, and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955; Sections 3, 4, 12, and 18 of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (Public Distribution System) Public Control Order, 2016; Sections 3(2)(i), 4, 6, and 8 of the Karnataka Essential Commodities (Storage, Accounts, Maintaining Value Notification) Order, 1981; and Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, are before this Court seeking to quash the proceedings in C.C. No. 2417/2022 pending on the file of the II Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Hosapete.

3. The prosecution alleges that, upon receiving credible information that food grains/rice intended for distribution under the Public Distribution System were being transported without authorization, the complainant and his staff intercepted a vehicle and, upon inspection, found that the petitioners were transporting the food grains/rice without proper authorization.

4. Heard were the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Additional Government Advocate for the re