In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of a firm and its proprietor charged with violating the Prevention of Water Pollution Control Act, 1974 by discharging polluted water without treatment or permission. The trial court found that the complainant lacked personal knowledge of the alleged offence and filed the complaint merely on instructions, and questioned whether the sanction was legally obtained. The appellate court held that when an appellate court agrees with the trial court's reasoning, it need not re-examine evidence. Since the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and nothing rebutted the trial court's findings, the appeal was dismissed and acquittal confirmed.
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