O R D E R

The petitioners in these cases are accused Nos.3, 4 and 5 in CP No.2 of 2021 on the file of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Kochi.

2. The petitioners are Directors of a company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956 and engaged in the business of Seafood Export. CP No. 2 of 2021 arises from Crime No.1706 of 2016 of Palluruthy Police Station, which was registered on the allegation that 43 women workers from Odissa, Andra Pradesh and Assam had been employed in the company with the intention of exploiting them and without affording necessary facilities to them. It was further alleged that out of the aforesaid 43 persons, 27 persons were not adults, and they were below the age of 18. The offences alleged are those under Section 370 (3) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act . After filing of these Crl.M.Cs, it was reported before this Court that on further investigation, the Station House Officer, Palluruthy Police Station, Kochi City, has filed a report indicating that the offences under 370(3) IPC and Sections 75 and 79 of the will not lie and seeking deletion of the aforesaid provisions