SAT PAL GUPTA & ANR. vs STATE OF HARYANA & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that rice bran qualifies as an 'essential commodity' under Section 2(a)(v) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, as it is categorized as a 'foodstuff' used for feeding poultry and cattle. The Court dismissed the appellants' challenge to the Haryana Rice Bran (Distribution and Price) Control Order, 1967, affirming that the regulation of rice bran's sale and supply is valid under Section 3 of the Act. The definition of 'foodstuffs' encompasses all forms of sustenance, including those for animals, thus reinforcing the state's interest in regulating such commodities.