BASUDEV HAZRA vs MATIAR-RAHAMAN MANDAL

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellant under Section 24 of the Bengal Ferries Act, 1886, for illegally demanding tolls from individuals using the riverbed instead of the ferry. The Court clarified that Section 24 prohibits illegal toll collection regardless of whether the person is using the ferry or not, emphasizing that the law aims to prevent unlawful recoveries. The appeal was dismissed, affirming that the appellant's actions constituted a violation of the statute's intent.