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1999 DIGILAW 2063 (MAD)

Krishnan v. Municipality of Cannanore

1999-11-30

P.GOVINDA MENON

body1999
Order.- The second accused in C.C. No. 247 of 1959 on the file of the District Magistrate, Tellicherry, who is the salesman of the Co-operative Milk Supply Society, Cannanore, who has been found guilty and convicted under section 16(1) read with section 7 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 has filed this revision petition, challenging the validity of his conviction. On 23rd February, 1959 P.W. 1, the Food Inspector of the Cannanore Municipality went to the sales depot of the Co-operative Milk Supply Society and purchased one bottle of milk from the revision petitioner and paid its price. Exhibit P-1 is the receipt. It was duly sampled and one sample was sent to the Public Analyst. The report of the Public Analyst, Exhibit P-3 showed that the milk was adulterated. The purchase of the milk and that it is adulterated is not disputed. The question that is raised in this petition is that the petitioner is only a servant and as such he cannot be legally convicted for an offence under this section. Reference is made to the Division Bench ruling of this Court in State of Kerala v. Kunchu1, wherein it was held that the servant selling adulterated food on behalf of the master and not for his own profit cannot be found guilty under sections 7 and 16 of the Act. I am bound by this Division Bench ruling of our High Court and following that I hold that the conviction of the revision petitioner cannot be sustained. The revision petition is allowed and the conviction and sentence passed on the revision petitioner is set aside. Fine, if any, paid will be refunded. M.C.M. ----- Petition allowed.