IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
CRL.A.No. 365 of 2003()
1. CHALIL PARAMBATH BHASKARAN,
... Petitioner
Vs
1. STATE OF KERALA - EXCISE INSPECTOR,
... Respondent
For Petitioner :SRI.GRASHIOUS KURIAKOSE
For Respondent : No Appearance
The Hon'ble MR. Justice M.N.KRISHNAN
Dated :03/08/2009
O R D E R
M.N. KRISHNAN, J.
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CRL.A.NO.365 OF 2003
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Dated this the 3rd day of August, 2009
JUDGMENT
This is an appeal preferred against the conviction and
sentence passed by the Additional Sessions Judge (Adhoc-I),
Thalassery in S.C.No.199/1999. The accused was charge
sheeted for the offence under Section 55 (a) of the Abkari Act
read with Rule 9 of the Foreign Liquor Rules and he was
convicted and sentenced to undergo S.I for six months and
also to pay a fine of Rs. One lakh and in default to undergo S.I
for a further period of six months.
2. It is the case of the prosecution that on 5.2.1998 at
about 5 p.m the Excise party saw the accused carrying a
plastic bag containing two bottles of 375 ml each, three
bottles of 375 ml each, and six bottles of 180 ml each
containing Whisky and Brandy respectively at Moolakkadavu –
Ponniyam road and therefore has committed the offence under
Section 55(a) of the Abkari Act.
3. The learned counsel for the accused contends before
me that when there is only violation of the foreign liquor
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rules, at the most, the offence that can be attracted will be
Section 63 of the Abkari Act. On the other hand, the learned
Public Prosecutor would contend that a reading of the court
charge would reveal that it is Section 55(i) of the Abkari Act
that will be attracted.
4. I had gone through the seizure mahazer also which
would indicate that the liquor was only permitted to be sold in
the State of Pondicherri. If it is a case, necessarily a proper
charge has to be framed and the accused has to be given
an opportunity to meet the charge. Similarly, the evidence
that has to be tendered should be in the light of the charge
which is properly framed. Now, it is argued that in order to
attract Section 55(a) of the Abkari Act, there must be export,
import, transport or possession and further that possession
must be while illegally transporting. So, it has become
necessary to direct the court below to frame proper charge on
the materials available as contemplated under Section 227 of
the Cr.P.C and then proceed. So, I feel, without framing a
proper charge in the case it may not be possible for the court
or for the accused or even the prosecution to meet it properly.
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Therefore, I set aside the conviction and the sentence
passed and remit the case back to the trial court and start
from the position of framing charge under Section 227 of the
Code of Criminal Procedure and the Sessions Judge is directed
to frame the charge as contemplated under Section 227 of the
Cr.P.C after hearing the accused and the prosecution and then
permit the parties to adduce evidence and dispose of the
matter in accordance with law. For the said purpose, the
conviction and sentence is set aside and the accused and State
are directed to appear before the court below on 18.9.2009.
In case the accused does not appear before the court on
18.9.2009, steps may be taken to summon the accused to
procure his presence for further proceedings.
M.N. KRISHNAN, JUDGE
cl
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M.N. KRISHNAN, J.
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CRL.A.NO.365 OF 2003
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3rd day of August, 2009
JUDGMENT