FOOD INSPECTOR, CALICUT CORPORATION vs CHERUKATTIL GOPALAN AND ANR.

The Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of the respondents under Section 16(1)(a)(i) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, stating that while the sugar sold was found to be adulterated, it was not established that the accused were selling sugar as such in their tea stall. The Court emphasized that the prosecution must prove that the accused were engaged in selling the adulterated item as a standalone product, which was not demonstrated in this case. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, affirming the lower court's decision.