THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY CRIMINAL PETITION No.12238 OF 2010 DATED: 08-12-2010 ORDER: This petition is filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., for quashing the investigation in F.I.R.No.362 of 2010 of Jagtial Town police station, Karimnagar District. 2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner; learned Additional Public Prosecutor representing the 1st respondent-State. Perused the record. 3. On a complaint given by the 2nd respondent- Assistant Supply Officer, Jagtial, Karimnagar District, police registered a case in Cr.No.362 of 2010 against the petitioner for the offences under Sections 403, 406, 457 IPC and Section 7 (1) of the Essential Commodities Act on 03-12-2010. In the said complaint, it is stated that coming to know that the rice meant for Public Distribution System was stored illegally in Jagtial town, 2nd respondent proceeded to Jagtial from State Warehouse Corporation, Metpally and found the premises closed and through the windows he noticed that rice bags were stored in the said building and he appraised the situation to the Tahsildar, Jagtial through telephone and the presence of the Mandal Revenue Inspector was secured and in his presence the premises was locked and sealed with two new locks and no panchanama could be conducted at that time as it was late in the night. It is further alleged that on 02-12-2010 when the 2nd respondent again reached the premises at 4.50 p.m. along with the Mandal Revenue Inspector-II and the locks and seals were opened in their presence, to their surprise, it was found that the stocks were missing from the premises and only empty plastic bags were available. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the 2nd respondent and the Revenue authorities have locked and sealed the premises without issuing any notice to the petitioner and that the petitioner in the usual course of his business has removed the stocks from another door, which was locked and sealed. Thus, admittedly, petitioner has removed the stocks from inside the premises on 02-12-2010. Even if the petitioner was not served with any notice before the premises was inspected, having noticed that the doors were sealed and locked, petitioner ought to have approached the authorities so as to question their action without resorting to removal of the stocks from inside the premises through another door, which was apparently locked and sealed. The very conduct of the petitioner disentitles him from seeking the relief under the inherent powers of the Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. That apart, having regard to the serious nature of the allegations made in the complaint and the offences alleged against the petitioner, including the offence under Section 380 IPC r/w 7(1) of the Essential Commodities Act, it is considered not a fit case to quash the investigation at the threshold stage. 5. It is well established that the inherent powers of the Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. cannot be invoked to scuttle the further investigation, especially when specific allegations are made against the accused, prima facie, attracting the ingredients of the offence alleged. There are no valid or justifiable grounds to quash further proceedings in F.I.R.No.362 of 2010 of Jagtial police station, Karimnagar District. 6. In the result, Criminal Petition is dismissed. _______________________ G.V.SEETHAPATHY, J 08th December, 2010 Tsy