STATE (DELHI ADMINISTRATION) vs PURAN MAL

The Supreme Court held that under Section 2(1)(f) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, an article of food is deemed adulterated if it is filthy, putrid, or insect-infested. The Court found that the prosecution failed to prove that the lal mirchi powder was adulterated, as the Public Analyst's report did not classify the worms found as insects or state that the powder was unfit for human consumption. Consequently, the acquittal of the respondent by the Magistrate was upheld, and the appeal by the State was dismissed.