Summary: Judge Tirumala Devi Eada dismissed the case against two rice traders in Wanaparthy because there wasn't enough evidence and the charges were not appropriate.
The case involved two people, Ramesh Gupta and Suresh Menon, who were said to have 48 bags of PDS rice, totaling 24 quintals. They were accused under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The authorities claimed they bought rice from beneficiaries at a lower price to sell it for profit.
The defense, led by Sri G. Madhusudan, argued that no one complained about being tricked. They said the charges were without basis, as similar cases had been dismissed before. The defense referred to past decisions where such charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.
"The claims, even if taken at face value, cannot be upheld against the defendants."
The prosecution, represented by Sri Jitender Rao Veeramalla, insisted that Ramesh Gupta and Suresh Menon broke Sections 7 and 8 of the Essential Commodities Act. They argued the case should continue since the formal charge sheet had already been submitted.
Judge Tirumala Devi Eada looked at the case and found it similar to other cases where the charges were dismissed. The court noted there was no evidence showing the traders tricked beneficiaries into giving up their rice.
"Without important factors, based on what the prosecution presented, this Court finds it appropriate to use the power under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023."
The court decided to dismiss the proceedings against Ramesh Gupta and Suresh Menon, citing misuse of the legal process. This decision highlights the need for strong evidence in such cases.
So, Ramesh Gupta and Suresh Menon were free to go, and the case was closed. This ruling serves as a reminder of how important clear evidence is in legal cases.
"Disclaimer: The names used in this report are made up and have been included for privacy reasons."
