- (1.) By way of this petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the petitioner has sought quashing of FIR No. 249 dated 20.8.2002 (Annexure P-7), under Sections 406/ 420/ 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short), registered at Police Station Dhuri and subsequent proceedings arising therefrom.
(2.) Prosecution story, in brief, is that at the time of physical verification on 10.7.2002, shortage of bags of paddy had been detected .
(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that so far as the petitioner is concerned, he was innocent and had been falsely involved in this case. Petitioner was a partner of the partnership firm carrying business of rice sheller under the name and style of M/s Ravi Rice Mills, Bhalwan Road, Dhuri District Sangrur (for short 'the mill). Initially the firm consisted of three partners i.e. Petitioner Narinder Kumar, Rajinder Kumar and Darshan Singh. On 8.10.2001, agreement (Annexure P-1) for milling paddy was executed between the mill and Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (for short 'the corporation'). The said agreement had been signed by the petitioner on behalf of the mill. In May 2002, petitioner moved an application (Annexure P-2) seeking his retirement from the partnership firm. The stock was duly physically verified and no shortage was found as per report dated 17.5.2002 (Annexure P-3). Petitioner retired from the partnership firm on 18.5.2002 (Annexure P-4). Thereafter, the petitioner could not be held liable for any shortage.;