SC turns down bail plea in PDS food diversion case

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Taking strong exception to the food items meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) for those living below poverty line (BPL) being diverted for profiteering by the unscrupulous elements, the Supreme Court today dismissed the bail application of a person accused of selling 100 bags of rice allotted for PDS in black market.

A bench comprising Justice B P Singh and Justice R V Raveendran dismissed the petition filed by one J Sumitha of Andhra Pradesh challenging the High Court order, dismissing his bail application.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner had pleaded that his client had purchased the rice from his agent and that he was not aware of the fact from where the 100 bags of rice had been procured by his agent.

The court refused to buy the defence taken by the petitioner who was arrested under the Essential Commodities Act for diverting the rice meant for distribution through PDS to those below poverty line for profiteering.

It is a routine practice with Fair Price Shop (FPS) owners to divert the cereals allotted by the government at subsidised rates meant for the poor to the black marketeers to make profits through hoarding and black marketing.

UNI AKS/SC PK RK1918