Sealed substandard fertilizer: Karnataka High Court quashes case against dealer for lack of specific allegations

The Karnataka High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a fertilizer dealer accused in a case involving fertilizer samples that failed to meet prescribed quality standards. The case arose after a Fertilizer Inspector collected samples from the dealer’s shop and sent them for laboratory testing. Although the report found the samples to be substandard, the Court noted that the complaint did not explain how the dealer was responsible for their production or quality, particularly since they had been collected from sealed bags. Holding that the dealer could not be held criminally liable merely by virtue of his role, the Court quashed the proceedings against him.