State Of Bihar And Another vs Ramesh Chandra And Another on 20 March, 1997
7. Another observation made by the trial court is that there is no explanation
on record as to why after obtaining the opinion of the Public Analyst in
respect of the sample of Full Cream Milk, a period of almost 13 months
was taken by the department to launch the prosecution against the accused
person despite the fact that complainant is well aware that accused can
exercise his valuable right under Section 13(2) of PFA Act to get analysed
the second counterpart of the sample from the Director, CFL, only after
institution of complaint and, thus, the trial court was of the opinion that
the period of more than 13 months in filing the complaint in case of
sample of Full Cream Milk, adversely affected the right of the accused
persons under Section 13(2) of PFA Act. The trial court has relied upon a
CRL.L.P.No.696/2013 Page 4 of 7
decision rendered in the case of State v. Ramesh Chand, reported at 2010
(2) J.C.C. 1250 (Delhi), wherein the High Court has upheld the order of
acquittal passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, affirming the view
point that the delay in filing the complaint as well as the variation
between the reports of PA and CFL (in respect of fat contents in the
sample of Paneer), could be fatal so as to materially prejudice the defence
of the accused more particularly, when the article in question (even to the
knowledge of PFA Officials) was of perishable nature.