Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay
Order Date: 22 October 2026
Case Overview
- Applicant: Satyendra Shriram Navre, 70‑year‑old partner of Trupti Gas Agency, an authorised LPG distributor of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited for 45 years.
- Respondents: State of Maharashtra and others; Controller of Rationing (Mr. Dipak Dolas) acted as complainant.
- FIR No.1522 of 2025 was registered on 12 December 2025 at Manpada Police Station, Thane City, alleging contravention of Sections 3, 7 and 8 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 read with Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000.
- Allegations centred solely on the storage of LPG cylinders in the applicant’s distribution vehicles (trucks, luggage cycles, tempos) parked roadside for onward distribution, with no charge of illegal sale, seal removal, smuggling, siphoning, unauthorised transport, concealment or black‑marketing.
- The Controller of Rationing, during a routine visit, observed the cylinders in the vehicles and lodged a report, invoking the Essential Commodities Act and LPG Regulation Order.
- The applicant contended that the cylinders were temporarily stacked in licensed vehicles, that he holds a valid godown licence, and that the storage does not constitute unauthorised storage under the statutes.
- The Court noted a Government Order dated 27‑02‑2008 which permits distribution vehicles to be halted and parked for limited periods and cautioned against strict restriction solely on that ground.
- The Court observed that the FIR was based on broad assumptions without specific allegations, that no mens rea was evident, and that the statutory ingredients of both the Essential Commodities Act and the LPG Regulation Order were not satisfied.
Final Outcome
- The Court allowed the criminal application filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
- Order: "This Hon'ble Court be pleased to pass an order or direction quashing and setting aside FIR No.1522 of 2025 dated 12 December 2025 registered with Manpada Police Station, Thane City, for alleged offences under Sections 3, 7 and 8 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 read with Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, insofar as the same concerns the Applicant."
- The criminal application was allowed and disposed.
Topics: Legal Quashal, LPG Distribution Regulation