In Brief
The Managing Director of Castrol India Limited challenged criminal proceedings under the Standards of Weights and Measures Act alleging offences related to packaged commodities. The High Court had dismissed his petition for quashing the proceedings. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that vicarious liability of a company officer requires clear and categorical averments in the complaint petition establishing the officer's charge of and responsibility for the business in which the offence occurred. Mere holding of the office of Managing Director is insufficient. The Court quashed the proceedings, noting that the company itself was not even arrayed as an accused.
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