BHAGWAN DASS JAGDISH CHANDER vs DELHI ADMINISTRATION

The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the joint trial of a vendor and distributor under Sections 7 and 16 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, clarifying that a joint trial is permissible when there are connecting links between their activities constituting the same transaction. The Court emphasized that mens rea is not required to establish such a connection in cases of food adulteration. The High Court's decision to set aside the acquittal of the distributor while maintaining that of the vendor was affirmed, establishing that joint trials are not inherently illegal.