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Judgment
R. Raghunandan Rao, J
The petitioners are accused in Crime No.285 of 2022 on the file of Vinukonda Police Station, Palnadu District for offences under Section 420 r/w. 34 of Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of Essential Commodities Act.
The petitioners have approached this Court by way of the present Criminal Petition for quashing the said complaint.
A perusal of the complaint shows that there are allegations against the petitioners of having diverted public distribution scheme rice for the purposes of selling the same in the black market. The veracity of these allegations have to be tested by way of an appropriate investigation and it would not be appropriate to stop investigation at this stage itself.
Accordingly, this Criminal Petition is dismissed. However, the investigation shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Arnesh Kumar Vs. State of Bihar 2014 (8) SCC 273 and after issuing notices under Section 41-A of Cr.P.C to the petitioners. There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed.