- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010791092025 NC: 2026:KHC:37250 CRL.P No. 16606 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16606 OF 2025 BETWEEN: ZUARI AGRO CHEMICALS LTD., REPRESENTED BY SHRI MAHESH S. NAIK, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, CHIEF MANAGER, JAIKISAN BHAVAN ZUARI NAGAR, GOA – 403 726. …PETITIONER (BY SRI PEERJADE MOHAMAD YUSUF JANGLISAB, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH AGRICULTURAL OFFICER AND FERTILIZER INSPECTOR KASABA HOBLI, TALUKA GUDIBANDE, REPRESENTED BY S.P.P. HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA PRINCIPAL BENCH BENGALURU – 01. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI B.N.JAGADEESHA, SPP-I A/W SMT.DEEPTHI ALVA, HCGP) Digitally signed by PADMAVATHI B K Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010791092025 NC: 2026:KHC:37250 CRL.P No. 16606 of 2025 THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.PC PRAYING TO THE COMPLAINT AND CHARGE SHEET SUBMITTED IN CC.NO.44/2015 BEFORE THE COURT OF CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC GUDIBANDE AGAINST THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.3 OF THE OFFENCES P/U/S. 7 AND 9 OF THE ESSENSTIAL COMMODITIES ACT 1995 BE KINDLY QUASHED. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioner - accused No.3 is before this Court calling in question the proceedings in C.C. No.44/2015 pending before the concerned Court for the offences punishable under Sections 7 and 9 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 ('the Act' for short) 2. Heard Sri. Peerjade Mohamad Yusuf Janglisab, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri. B.N. Jagadeesha, learned State Public Prosecutor - I appearing for the respondent and have perused the material on record. - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010791092025 NC: 2026:KHC:37250 CRL.P No. 16606 of 2025 3. The petitioner is accused No. 3 - the Chief Manager of Zuari Agro Chemicals Limited. The proceedings emanate in the year 2014, which is now pending in C.C. No. 44/2015 before the concerned Court. Prior to the institution of the proceedings, a notice under the Act is mandatory, which has been issued to accused Nos.1 and 2 but not to accused No.3. The records appended to the petition is vindication that no notice was issued to the petitioner. In the light of the said circumstance, the proceedings against the petitioner cannot be permitted to continue. 4. For the aforesaid reasons, the following: O R D E R i. The petition is allowed. ii. Proceedings in C.C. No.44/2015 pending before the Civil Judge and J.M.F.C, Guidbande stand quashed qua accused No.3 - the present petitioner. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010791092025 NC: 2026:KHC:37250 CRL.P No. 16606 of 2025 I.A.No.1/2025 stands disposed as a consequence. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE VS List No.: 2 Sl No.: 59