Judgment

Das, J. - At all material times the petnr. who is the applt. before us, was the Secretary of People s Publishing House, Ltd., & company incorporated under the Companies Act with its registered office at 195-B Khetwadi Main Road in Bombay. In sep, 1949 a pamphlet entitled "Railway Mazdooron ke khilaf Nai Zazish" is alleged to have been published in Bombay by the petnr. as the secretary of that Co. Learned counsel for the petnr, states that the pamphlet was published as a "book" within the meaning of S. 1, Press and Registration of Books Act (XXV [25] of 1867) and that the provisions of that Act had been duly complied with. The Bombay Govt. authorities, however, took the view that the pamphlet was a "news sheet" within the meaning of S. 2 (6), Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931, & that as it had been published without the authority required by S.15 (1) of that Act, the petnr. had committed an offence punishable under S.18 (1) of the same Act. A prosecution under that Act was accordingly started against the petnr, in the Ct. of the Chief Presidency Mag. Bombay, & was registered as case No, 1102/P of 1949. During the pendency of the proceedings the Constitution of India came in