Delhi High Court
State vs Mahinder Prakash on 10 March, 2014
Author: Indermeet Kaur
Bench: Indermeet Kaur
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
% Date of Judgment: 10.03.2014.
+ CRL.A. 199/2006
STATE
..... Appellant
Through Mr. Varun Goswami, APP
versus
MAHINDER PRAKASH
..... Respondent
Through None.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE INDERMEET KAUR
INDERMEET KAUR, J. (Oral)
1 This appeal has been filed by the State impugning the judgment of the Sessions Judge which had ordered the acquittal of the respondent. 2 The facts noted are herein as under:-
(i) A sample of 375 grams of mustard oil had been purchased on 06.08.1998 from the shop of the respondent at Karol Bagh. The oil was taken from an open tin. The sample was taken after proper homogenization by mixing the oil; the Food Inspector divided the sample in three equal parts and put them in three separate clean and dry bottles; they were thereafter sealed. The panchnama was prepared at the spot.Crl. Appeal No.199/2006 Page 1 of 6
(ii) One counterpart of the sample was sent to the Public Analyst on 07.08.1998 and the report of the Public Analyst is dated 13.08.1998. It reads herein as under:-
"I further certify that I have/have caused to be analysed the aforementioned sample, and declare the result of the analysis to be as follows:-
ANALYTICAL DATA:
The sample is clear, free from rancidity and suspended matter.
1. B.R. at 40 oC : 60.2
2. Iodine value : 109.89
3. Sapnification value : 171.45
4. Acid value : 1.75
5. Baudouin‟s test : Neg.
6. Test for cotton seed oil: Neg.
7. Test for argemone oil: Positive
8. Polybromide test : Neg.
9. Test for castor oil : Neg.
10. Test for mineral oil : Neg.
11. Test for HCN : Neg.
12. Test for synthetic colouring matter : Neg.
13. Test for TOCP/TCP : Neg.
14. B.T.T. (Acetic acid method): 25.6 oC and am of the opinion that the sample does not conform to the standards laid down under item No. A.17.06 of Appendix „B‟ of PFA Rules, 1985 because sample shows presence of Argemone oil."
(iii) The accused in the course of trial has exercised his right under Crl. Appeal No.199/2006 Page 2 of 6 Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) and a second sample was accordingly sent to the Director, CFL who has submitted his report dated 25.09.1998 duly signed by him on 05.11.1998. This report reads herein as under:-
"Certified that the sample (s), bearing number KGR/LHA/2703,S/07/98 purporting to be the sample/samples of Mustard Oil received on 09.08.1998 with Memorandum No.80-S/MJ/MM/PHC dated 25.09.1998 from Sh. Manoj Jain, Metropolitan Magistrate, Room No. 14, Patiala House, New Delhi was in a condition fit for analysis and has/have tested/analysed and that the result/results of such test (s) analysis is/are stated below:-
Physical Examination :
Moisture :
Butyrorefractometer reading at 40 oC : 59.6
Saponification value : 178.7
Lodine value : 105.7
Acid value : 3.01
Bellier test
(Turbidity temperature acetic acid method) : 29.2 oC
Baudouin test (for sesame oil) : Negative
Polybromide test : Negative
Test for mineral oil : Negative
Test for Cottonseed oil : Negative
Test for Argemone oil by TLC : Negative
Test for Hydrocyanic acid : Negative
Test for Castor oil by TLC : Negative
Phosphorus :
Test for Tri-Ortho-Cresyl Phosphate :
Crl. Appeal No.199/2006 Page 3 of 6
Cloud Point :
Flash Point (Pensky-Marten closed method) :
Added colouring matter : Absent
Opinion: The sample of Mustard oil is adulterated.".
(iv) The Trial Court had noted the correct legal position; position being that once an accused has exercised his right under Section 13 (2) of the PFA Act that report would be binding. The Court nevertheless can look back to the report of the Public Analyst to find out the variations in the two reports; the quality of the analysis and the variations contained therein can be looked in. The Court had noted that there were marginal variations in the two reports; while the saponification value as was prescribed is 168 to 177 but it was found to be 178.7; the Bieller test had recorded 29.2 oC while the range was between 23.0 to 27.5 oC. The Court had in fact gone on to conclude that the errors in the saponifacation and Bieller test were marginal; however on the facts of the case even while noting the variations to be marginal had ordered the acquittal of the respondent.
(v) The judgment appears to be contradictory in itself. The trial Judge has committed an illegality; while noting the limits in the saponifacation Crl. Appeal No.199/2006 Page 4 of 6 and in the Bieller test to be marginal has yet gone on to acquit the accused. However this Court is of the view that the acquittal of the respondent should not be disturbed; however the reasons are different as those recorded by the trial Judge.
(vi) A Bench of this Court in 2005(3) JCC 1637 Kanshi Nath Vs. State as also another judgment of this Court reported as 2008 (1) JCC 582 State Vs. Mahender Kumar & Ors. had noted that where the margin between two reports i.e. the report of the Public Analyst and the Director, CFL is more than 0.3%, such a margin is not insufficient and where there is no justifiable explanation for the difference in the two reports, the respondent would be entitled to a benefit of doubt and a consequent acquittal.
(vii) In the instant case, it has been noted that Public Analyst has recorded a saponification value of 177.45 as against 178.7 recorded by the Director, CFL. The range is between 168-177. The Bieller test (Acetic acid method) has been recorded by the Public Analyst to be 25.6 o C wherein the Director CFL has recorded it to be 29.2 oC; the standard is between 23 oC to 27.5 oC. The Public Analyst on the basis of the said report had reported that the sample was adulterated because of the Crl. Appeal No.199/2006 Page 5 of 6 presence of argemone oil; in the report of the Director, CFL, the test for argemone oil had recorded negative.
(viii) In this background, noting the huge difference in the two reports, it is clear that the sample was not a representative sample. (see. Kanshi Nath (supra) and State Vs. Mahender Kumar (supra) 3 There is also no gain saying to the fact that an appeal against the acquittal calls for an interference only where there is a patent illegality or a perversity noted in the impugned judgment. None of this has been brought to the notice of the Court.
4 In this background, the acquittal of the respondent calls for no interference. Appeal is without any merit. Dismissed.
INDERMEET KAUR, J MARCH 10, 2014 A Crl. Appeal No.199/2006 Page 6 of 6