THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE RAJA ELANGO CRIMINAL PETITION No.11540 of 2011 ORDER: Petitioners-Accused Nos.1 to 6 approached this Court with a prayer to quash the proceedings initiated against them in PR No.196 of 1996-97 on the file of the Prohibition and Excise Station, Nakrekal, Nalgonda District, whereby they are arrayed as accused for the offence punishable under Section 34(a) of A.P.Excise Act and 8(a) and (e) of A.P. Prohibition Act, 1995. Heard. The main ground raised by the learned counsel for the petitioners is that the offence alleged against the petitioners is punishable with six months imprisonment only. Even though, the case is registered in the month of August 1997, no charge sheet is filed till date. On verification, the learned Public Prosecutor also submitted that no charge sheet is filed. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the period for taking cognizance has already over. Hence, the pendency of the present FIR amounts to abuse of process of law. Hence, the same may be quashed. Even though the prosecution is having liberty to file an application to condone the delay in filing the charge sheet, this Court is of the view nearly for fourteen years no charge sheet is filed. Hence, the proceedings in PR No.196 of 1996-97 on the file of Prohibition and Excise Station, Nakrekal, Nalgonda District, are liable to be quashed. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed and the proceedings against the petitioners in PR No.196 of 1996-97 on the file of Prohibition and Excise Station, Nakrekal, Nalgonda District, are hereby quashed. Miscellaneous petitions filed along with the Criminal Petition, if any, shall stand closed. _____________________ JUSTICE RAJA ELANGO 19th December 2011 Rns