Manik Hiru Jhangiani vs State of M.P. 2023 INSC 1078 – Food Safety and Standards Act

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; Section 52,89 – Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 ; Section 16- The punishment under PFA and the penalty under the FSSA cannot be imposed on the violator for the same misbranding because it will amount to double jeopardy, which is prohibited under Article 20(2) of the Constitution of India – In a case where after coming into force of Section 52 of the FSSA, if an act of misbranding is committed by anyone, which is an offence punishable under Section 16 of PFA and which attracts penalty under Section 52 of the FSSA, Section 52 of the FSSA will override the provisions of PFA. Therefore, in such a situation, in view of the overriding effect given to the provisions of the FSSA, the violator who indulges in misbranding cannot be punished under the PFA and he will be liable to pay penalty under the FSSA in accordance with Section 52 thereof. (Para 18)

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