MOHANLAL Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) 'White collar' crimes and there again, 'economic crimes', shocking and rocking the entire society, ever increasing either in the form of 'black marketing' or 'Food adulteration' or 'smuggling', have assumed disastrous dimensions, providing manifold litigation. The snail moving, haulting and faultering speed. with which the administration and prosecution both act rather in-act is not only shocking, but is challenging the very utility of the laws which are fast 'break- ing and cracking' on account of this lethargy, indifference and 'red tapism'. Whether, this tantamounts to moral abetment or acquiescence is a question to be answered by law-makers and not law-interpreters, if not. the decision would be of pauserity (posterity ?) alone and not courts of law.

(2.) With the above preface, let me now come to the brass text of the present case and the controversy raised.

(3.) The stock of cement was confiscated after a 'raid' and on inspection on 18-61977, but even after three years, neither petitioner-accused has been convicted, nor acquitted. That apart, even the proceedings of confiscation or cancellation of the licence have not become final. The present writ petition challenging the same, filed in September, 1979, has now come up for consideration for decision as to whether the petition should be admitted. Are we not all abetting these alleged social crimes by such inordinate delays ?