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Issues Involved:
1. Applicability of the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952 to the applicant company. 2. Validity of the sanction for prosecution. 3. Whether the trial Magistrate could take cognizance of the offences. 4. Whether the cold storage activity falls under the "Fruit and Vegetable Preservation Industry". 5. Whether the company is covered under Section 1(3)(b) of the Act through the notification dated 7-3-1962. Detailed Analysis: 1. Applicability of the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952 to the Applicant Company The primary issue was whether the applicant company, engaged in cold storage and ice manufacturing, was covered by the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952. The company argued that the Act did not apply to it, as it was not engaged in any industry specified in Schedule I of the Act. However, the court found that the company was engaged in activities that fell under the scope of the Act due to its involvement in the storage of goods, as specified in the notification dated 7-3-1962. 2. Validity of the Sanction for Prosecution The applicant company contended that the sanction for prosecution was invalid as it did not specifically name the company, only the directors. The court held that the sanction mentioned the offences and the directors in their capacity as representatives of the company, which was sufficient. The court also noted that the sanction was based on the satisfaction of the appropriate authority and was not subject to challenge unless proven to be given mala fide, which was not the case here. 3. Whether the Trial Magistrate Could Take Cognizance of the Offences The court examined whether the trial Magistrate could take cognizance of the offences without a valid sanction. It was held that the sanction provided was valid and that the Magistrate could take cognizance of the offences based on the report made by the Provident Fund Inspector. The court also clarified that it was not necessary for the sanction to name all offenders explicitly, as long as the offences were specified. 4. Whether the Cold Storage Activity Falls Under the "Fruit and Vegetable Preservation Industry" The court analyzed whether the cold storage activity of the company fell under the "Fruit and Vegetable Preservation Industry" as specified in Schedule I of the Act. It was concluded that the cold storage activity did not amount to the preparation or production of frozen vegetables, as the potatoes stored were merely cooled and not frozen. Therefore, the company's cold storage activity did not fall under this category. 5. Whether the Company is Covered Under Section 1(3)(b) of the Act Through the Notification Dated 7-3-1962 The court examined whether the company was covered under Section 1(3)(b) of the Act, which applies to establishments specified by the Central Government through a notification. The notification dated 7-3-1962 included establishments engaged in the storage of goods. The court held that the applicant company's cold storage activity fell within the scope of this notification, making the Act applicable to the company. Additionally, the court noted that the company also engaged in the purchase and sale of potatoes, further bringing it under the purview of the Act. Conclusion The court dismissed all six revision applications, upholding the convictions and sentences imposed by the trial Magistrate and the Assistant Judge. The company was found to be covered by the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952, and was guilty of not complying with the requirements of the Act, including failing to deposit provident fund contributions, file returns, and pay administrative charges. The validity of the sanction for prosecution was confirmed, and the trial Magistrate was deemed competent to take cognizance of the offences.
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