INDERJEET vs STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 7 read with Section 16 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, affirming that the mandatory minimum sentence of six months' rigorous imprisonment for the sale of adulterated food does not violate Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that while the legislature has the power to standardize sentences for public health protection, judicial discretion remains in place to ensure fairness. The judgment clarified that the imposition of absolute liability does not inherently breach the principle of equal protection under the law, as the judiciary can still exercise discretion in sentencing based on established principles.