A.Leo Andrews, Food Safety Officer v. Chandrasekar

Suo Motu TR.No.19662 of 2025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 08.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Suo Motu TR.No.19662 of 2025 (STC.No.673 of 2022 of Judicial Magistrate Court, Dharapuram, Dharapuram Taluk, Tiruppur) For Petitioner : Mrs.G.V.Kasthuri Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

This Suo Motu Case is dealt with in an extraordinary manner by the Dedicated Bench, pursuant to Suo Motu.W.P.(Crl.) No.618 of 2025.

2. This case is registered for alleged offences under Section 58 & 59(i) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The allegation in this case is that in the shop belonging to Accused no.1, the banned tobacco products of Cool Lip Filter Tobacco and Ganesh - tobacco 60 packets were found. Accordingly, the case was filed as against the manufacturers of the said tobacco products being the Accused Nos.2 and 3. Unless specific allegations are made, that they only directly supplied to Accused No.1., case cannot stand against A2 and A3, since the tobacco products is not banned in the respective States in which they are manufacturing.

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Suo Motu TR.No.19662 of 2025 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

3.

In view thereof, the case against Accused No.2 and 3 shall stand quashed. As far as Accused No.1 is concerned, there is one previous case but however at the same time and he is also admitting the crime. Considering the fact that he is facing the case from the year 2020 and showing remarks for his conduct and submitting that he is not selling tobacco products anymore and there is no other previous or subsequent case, a lenient view is taken. Accordingly, this Court imposes a fine of Rs.2,500/- on Accused No.1 and the same shall be paid on the next hearing date before the learned Magistrate.

4. Accordingly, the proceedings in STC.No.673 of 2022 of Judicial Magistrate Court, Dharapuram, Dharapuram Taluk, Tiruppur is disposed of and this Suo Motu Transfer Case is disposed of. 08.10.2025 veda electronically alone. The Trial Court shall take note of the order and accordingly classify the case pending before them as allowed / dismissed / disposed of, etc, and while doing so, consider any applications such as disposal of properties, etc., and pass appropriate orders, as may be necessary. Further, the Court below is directed to dispatch the copy of this order to all concerned.

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