BANAMALI MAHAPATRA Vs. LODGING HOUSE FUND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner stands convicted under Section 14 of the Bihar and Orissa Places of Pilgrimage Act, 1920 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) and has been sentenced thereunder to pay a fine of Rs. 30/ - in default to undergo S.I. for five days.

(2.) THE prosecution case, in short is that the petitioner, who admittedly is the owner of Lodging House in Holding No. 286/295 in Basali Sahi in Puri town, had at the relevant time, accommodated in the said lodging house, without the requisite licence under the Act, ten pilgrims (Jatris) for gain.

(3.) THE court below, on an appreciation of the evidence on record, has arrived at the finding that the prosecution has been able to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the petitioner accommodated pilgrims in the said house for gain without having the requisite licence under the Act. On the aforesaid finding he convicted the petitioner as stated above.