Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 12: A person who was facing the allegation of illegally buying rice meant for distribution through public distribution system and misappropriating it for commercial purpose, secured conditional bail from the single judge bench of the high court.

Under the instructions of deputy commissioner of the district, food inspector, Parvathama, had raided Vijaya Rice Mill at Kota here. The raid was conducted on September 8, 2017, based on information about ration card rice being bought for low rate and diverting it for other purposes. The raiding team had seized 5,144 kg of rice during the operation. Owner of the mill, Umanath Pai, had fled during the raid.

Kota police who registered the case under Essential Commodities Act 1955, had kept the seized rice in the APMC yard under the instructions of food inspector. Udupi district and sessions court had refused bail, treating this as a serious case of misusing government facility. Bail application was then moved in the stat high court. Presiding officer of the single judge bench of the high court, Justice Nigajagannavar, who heard prolonged arguments on behalf of the prosecution and the accused, granted bail to the accused with the condition to furnish bond of one lac rupees and two sureties.. In addition, the accused has to present himself at Kota police station on the last day of every month.

Special public prosecutor, Chandramouli, argued on behalf of the prosecution in the case, while high court advocate, H Pavanchandra Shetty, had appeared on behalf of the accused.