RAJASTHAN PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY, BANGALORE AND TWO OTHERS v. STATE OF KARNATAKA

Citation: [1981] 2 S.C.R. 604

Court: Supreme Court of India

Bench: R.S. SARKARIA, A.C. GUPTA

Case summary

' In the result, while maintaining the conviction of the appellants, we remit the case to the High Court; the High Court will consider again on the findings already recorded the question of sentence--(a) for the offence under section 18(c) punishable under section 27(a) (ii)...

Judgment text

RAJASTHAN PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY, BANGALORE AND TWO OTHERS v. STATE OF KARNATAKA January 14, 1981 [R. S. SARKARIA AND A. C. GUPTA, JJJ Drugs and Cosn1etics Act, 1940-0. ffe;nce. s under sec. 18 (c), (Sale without lice1ice); under sec. 18(a)(i), (Selling sub·standard quality drugs); under sec. 28 (non~di. sclosure of source of purchase of drugs exhibited for sale); and under sec. 18(a)(vi), (disposing of drugs against prohibitory orders) under sec. 22(1)(c) of tile Act and Rule 54A of the rules framed thereunder-Sentences validity of-Vicarious liability of partners under sec. 34 of the Act-Fine ordered in excess of the statutory nzaximum under sec. 1SA is not in order- Whcther the additional sentence of imprisonment on one of the accused for the satne offence lras illegal-Plea of ignorance about the sub-standard quality woilld be a valid defence only as provided by sub-sec. (2) and (3) of sec. 19 p of the Act--Sec.

22(1)(c) of the Act does not provide for a separate punishment ill c1ddition to sec. 27(b) of the Act. M/s. Rajasthan Pharmaceutical Laboratory, first appellant in Criminal Appeal No. 120 of 1975 is a firm of which the second appellant is a. partner and the third appellant is a manager. The first appellant holds a licence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for re-packing of drugs mentioned in the list \V'hich forms part of the licence and, therefore, is a manufa. cturer of the said drugs for the purposes of the Act in vie\V of the definition of the term "manufacture" occurring in sec. 3 (f) of the Act. The second and the third appellant are also a partner and a manager respectively of the first appellant, M/s. Manoi Drug House & others, in Criminal Appeal No. 96 of 1975. A search of the business premises in Criminal Appeal 120 of 1975 resulted in seizure of sub-standard drug, "Sodium Bromide J. P. " Batch No.

1 and in Criminal Appeal 96 of 1975 of a sub-standard drug "Liquid Paraffin I. P. 450 ml. Batch No. 1'. Be&ides the three appellants in these two appeals, another partner of these two firms figured as an accused in the compla-int but as be was absconding the trial could not proceed against him. In Criminal Appeal 120 of 1975 tho appellants were charged under sections 18(c), 18(a)(1) and 28 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and in Criminal Appeal 96 of 1975 they were charged under sections 18(a)(i) a-nd 18(a)(ii). The appellants in both the appeals were acquitted by the trial court. But in appeals preferred by the State, the High Court in Criminal Appeal 120 of 1975, sentenced each of the three appellants to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000 on each of the counts in defa-ult appellants Nos. 2 and 3 were to undergo simple im- . , prisonment for three months "for each non-payment of line". For the sa1ne offences the High Court further sentenced the third appellant "by virtue of sec.

34(2) of the Act to undergo simple imprisonment for three months on each RAJASTHAN PHARMACEUTICAL V. KARNATAKA 605 count and to pay a fine of Rs. 500 on each count and in default of payment to simple imprisonment for one month for "each non~payment of fine". The substantive sentences passed on the third appellant were directed to run con.. currently. In Crimin•! Appeal 96 of 1975 the High Court convicted thel accused under sec. 18(a)(i) and sec. 18(a)(vi) and sentenced each of them to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000 on each count, the second and the third appellants were to undergo simple imprisopment for one month in default of payment. The I-Iigh Court further convicted them "for having committed the offence punishable unde: sec. 22(I)(c)" and sentenced "each one of the accused to pay a fine of Rs. 1000 for the ol! ence under sec. 22(1)(c)".

Allowing both the appeals in part and remanding Criminal Appeal 120 of 1975 to the High Court for proper sentences, the Court HELD: (I) The additional sentence of imprisonment on the third appellant for the same offence is illegal. But in sentencing the second and the third appellants to pay a fine only for the oficnce under sec. 18(c); the provisions of sec. 27 (a) (ii) which make a sentence of imprisonment compulsory has been overlooked. [612B] (2) Sec. 27(a) (ii) of the Act makes a sentence of imprisonment of not less than one year compulsory for an offence under s. lS(c) in addition to fine unless for special reasons a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser period was warranted. Of course, in the nature of things a company or a firm could not be sent to jail but that docs not apply to the other two appellants in the instant case. [611E-F] (3) By virtue of sec.

34(1r of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the appellants 2 and 3 are accused to be guilty of the offences committed by the first appellant, as the explanation appended to sec. 34 makes its provisions apply to firm and its partners. [61 lA-B] (4) The non-obstante clause with which sub-sec. (2) of sec. 34 begins does not permit the court to punish the offender twice for the same offence. It is plain that sec. 34(2) imposes a liability on those directors or officers· of the company 'vho are not directly in charge of the management of the company and as such could not be held guilty with the help of sub-section (I) of sec. 34, if they were responsible for the commission of the offences by consent, connivance or neglect. It would be incongruous if a man found to be directly responsible for the commission of the offence could at the same time be held guilty cf contributing to the commission of the offence. by his consent, connivance or neglect. [611 B-C] There is nothing in the language of sec.

34 to warrant a construction, that tlte words "punished accordingly" in clause (2) of sec. 34 of the Act mean that the persons 1nentioned therein can be punished only in the same way as a company would be punisha-ble, that is, only with a fine and not with a. ii imprisonment. The words "punished accordingly" in the context mean that a person deemed to be guilty of an offence committed by a company shall receive the punishment that is prescribed by the Act for that offence. [6110] The Stall of Maharashtra v. Joseph Anthony Pereira, (1971) 73 B. L. R. 613, overruled. 6-152SCI/81 (6) For lhc contravention of provisions of sec. ! 8,. \, ~cc. 28 prescribed imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or \vith fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both. Clearly therefore no fine· in excess of five hundred rupees ~ould be imposed for an offence under sec. 18A. , The in1position of a fine of Rs. 2,000 for the offence unde1 -;cc. 18A which i"I punishable undeT sec.

28, in the instant case, is not in order. [61 JH] (7} 1·he plea Of ignorance of the nature, substance or quality of the drug in view of the fact that accuscJ got the supplies of these drugs from the firm Rajasthan Pha-ra1naceutical l. aboratory~ who are the packers. is not only not cove. red by sub-sec. (2) and (3) of sec. 19 which enumerate the cases in which the general rule contained in sub-sec. (1) would not app1y, but also factually incorrect because appellants 2 and 3 in Criminal Appeal 96 of 1975, are1 respectively & partner and the manager of both the firm aside. But this does not conclude the matter. The High Court imposed a fine of two thousand rupees on each of the three appellants for the offence under section 18(c). Section 27(a)(ii) makes sentence of imprisonment of not less than one year compulsory for such offence in addition to fine unless for special reasons a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser period was warranted.

Of course in the nature of thing' a company or a firm ,oald not be sent to jail but that does not apply to the other two appellants. Mr. Sen referred to a decision of the Bombay High Court reported in ( 1971) 73 B. L. R. 613(') which holds that the words "punished accordingly" in clause (2) of section 34 of the Act mean that the persons mentioned therein can be punished only in the same way as a company would be punishable, that is, only with a fine and not with irnJ)risonment. We are unable to agree. There is nothing in the language of section 34 to warrant such a construction. It seems clear to us that the words "punished accordingly"' in the context mean that person deemed to be guilty of an offence committed by a company • shall receive the punishment that is prescribed by the Act for that offence. It appears that the High Court was also in error in imposing a fine of two thousand rupees for the offence under section 18A which is punishable under section 28.

For the contravention of provisions of section 18A, section 28 prescribes imprisonment for a term which (1) State ofMal:arashtra v. Joseph Anthony Pereira may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both. Clearly therefore no fine in excess of five hundred rupees could be imposed for an offence under section 18A. ' In the result, while maintaining the conviction of the appellants, we remit the case to the High Court; the High Court will consider again on the findings already recorded the question of sentence--(a) for the offence under section 18(c) punishable under section 27(a) (ii) so far as appellants 2 and 3 are concerned, and (b) for the offence punishable under section 28 of which all the three appellants have been fonnd guilty,-and pass appropriate sentences. The appeal is allowed to the extent and in the manner indicated above. Writ Petition No.

2929 of 1980 The writ petition questions the validity of the order of the High Court punishing the third appellant in the above appeal (Criminal appeal No. 120 of 1975) twice for the same offences with the aid of section 34(2) of the Act. In view of our decision in the appeal no ·u order is necessary on the writ petition. Criminal Appeal No. 96 of 1975 By the judgment impugned in this appeal which is also by special leave, the Kamataka High Court set aside an order of acquittal passed by the Judicial Magistrate, Isl Class (1st Court), Bangalore City and convicted the appellants before us for having committed offences under section 18(a)(i) and 18(a)(vi) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (hereinafter referred to as the Act). Of the three appellants in this appeal the second and the third amiellants are the same persons as in the other appeal. The second appellant is a partner and the third is the manager of the first appellant, a firm called M/s. Manoj Drug House.

The absconding partner of the other firm is also a iParlner of the first appellant here. The firm possessed valid licence to sell, stock and exhibit for sale drugs. The magistrate before whom the appellants were tried for the aforesaid offences acquitted them; the High Conrt on appeal set aside the order of acquittal as already stated. The facts found by the High Court in this case are as follows. ' On July 17, 1970 the Assistant Drug Controller for the State of Mysore who had been appointed as Inspector under section 21 of the Act took samples of "Liquid Paraffin J. P. " Batch I, and "Formaline ' I. P. " Batch 1 which, as the labels on these drugs showed, had been repacked by M/s. Rajasthan Pharmaceutical Laboratory, the first appellant in the other case. The Inspector sent the samples to the Government Analyst and the report received from him showed that the products were not of standard quality. On September 9, 1970 the Drugs Inspector, Bangalore Division, found that the firm M/s.

• Manoj Drug House was exhibiting for sale stocks of the drugs which the Governm. ent Analyst had declared as not of standard quality. He therefore issued an order under section 22(1) (c) of the Act prohibiting the sale of the said drugs for a certain period which was extended from time to time. On October 28, 1970 the Inspector asked the third appellant who was the Manager of the firm to produce the stock of the prohibited drugs. The Insipector seized the stock produced before him but this was found to be short by 57 bottles of Liquid Paraffin I. P. 450 ml. Batch No. 1. On these facts a complaint was filed in the court of the City Magistrate, Bangalore alleging that the appellants were guilty of an offence under section 18(a) (i) of the Act for having in their stock and exhibiting for sale drugs not of standard quality and further that they were guilty of an offence under section 18 (11) (vi) for dispos;ing of the aforesaid 'Ruantities of Liquid Paraffin I. P. Batch No.

1 in spite of the prohibitory order under section 22(1) (c) thus contravening rule 54A of the Rules framed under the Act. Both these offences are punishable under section 27 (b) of the Act. The trial court acquitted the accused but on appeal preferred by the State of Kamataka the High Court set aside the order of acquittal and convicted the accused under section 18 (a)(i) and section 18 (a)(vi) , and sentenced each of the accused to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/- on each count : the second and the third appellants were to undergo simple imprisonment for one month in default of payment. We see no reason to interfere with the findings of fact recorded by the High Court. The only point argued before us on behalf of the appellants which was also urged in the High Court was that they got the supplies of these drugs from the firm Rajasthan Pharmaceutical Laboratory who were the packers and the appellants did not know that the drugs were sub-standard.

The High Court rightly pointed out that this did not constitute a valid defence in view of section 19(1) of the Act which is as follows. "19. Pleas. -(! ) Save as hereinafter provided in this Section, it shall be no defence in a prosecution under this Chapter to prove merely that the accused was ignorant of the nature, substance or quality of the drug or cosmetic in respect of which the offence has been committed or of the circumstances of its manufacture or import, or that a purchaser, having bought only for the purpose of test or analysis, has not been prejudiced by the sale. " The High Court fouud that the case of the accused was not • covered by su. b-sections (2) and (3) of section 19 which enumerate the cases in which the general rule contained in sub-section (1) would not apply. In this connection it is to be noted that • appellants Nos. 2 and 3 are respectively a partner and the manager of both the firms, Rajasthan Pharmaceutical Lahoratory, and Manoj Drug House.

This appeal therefore must fail. Tt appears however that the High Court having convicted the appellants as aforesaid and sentenced them under section 27 (b) of the Act further convicted them "for having committed the offence punishable under sec. 22 (l) (c)" and sentenced "each one of the accused to pay a fine of . _,/· Rs. 1,000/- (Rupees One thousand) for the offence under Sec. 22(1) (c)". Section 22(1) deals with the powers of Inspectors, clause (c) of which states that an Inspector mcl\ within the local limits of the area for which he is appointed. "enter and search at all reasonable times, with such assistants.

if any, as he considers necessary, any place in which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Chapter has hecn or is being committed and order in writing the person in possession of any drug or cosmetic in respect of which the offence has been or is being committed, not to dispose of any stock of such drug or cosmetic for a specified period not exceeding twenty days, or unless the alleged offence is such that the defect may be removed by the possessor of the drug or cosmetic seize the stock of such drug or cosmetic. " Rule 54A of the Rules framed under the Act pro,ides: "54A. Prohibition of sale. -No person in poscssion of a drug in respect of which an Inspector has made an order under clause (c) of sub-section (I) of Section 22 of the Act shall in contravention of that order sell or otherwise dispose of any stock of such drug. " , -...

(_ · Rule 54A prohibits contravention of a prohibitory order made under section 22(1) (c) and section 27(b) itself makes such contravention punishable with imprisonment or with fine or with both. Section 22 (1) (c) does not provide for a separate punishment. Accordingly; we set aside the conviction of the appellants purported to be under section 22(1) (c) of the Act and the sentences passed in respect of the said 'offence'. Subject to the modification indicated above the appeal is dismissed. S. R. Appeals partly allowed.