THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE P.SWAROOP REDDY CRIMINAL PETITION No.2178 of 2008 ORDER: This criminal petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. is filed by the petitioners/A.1 and A.2 seeking to quash the proceedings against them in S.C.No.594 of 2006 on the file of I-Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Hyderabad. Heard. This is a case where more than dozen people died in an incident that has taken place in M/s.Shanti Fire Works, which is located in premises bearing No.15-2-724 situated at Osman Gunj, Hyderabad. Admittedly, petitioners are the licensees for carrying on the business in fire works. The main contention of the petitioners is that they are not responsible for the incident and that some frustrated thieves, who entered the premises, for not finding anything to steal, have set fire to the premises causing the incident, in which, several people died. At this stage, it may not be desirable to discuss in detail about the merits of the case, as it is likely to cause prejudice to the defence of the accused in the trial. Considering the magnitude of the offence and the manner in which it has taken place, it is not at all desirable to quash the proceedings in S.C.No.594 of 2006 against the petitioners. The Criminal Petition is accordingly, dismissed. However, the petitioners/A.1 and A.2 are at liberty to take all the pleas that they have taken before this Court, before the Court below. ______________________ P.SWAROOP REDDY, J 13th NOVEMBER, 2009. kvni