In Brief
This case concerns the quashing of a complaint against three officers (including director Sanjay Dutt) of a real estate company for allegedly uprooting trees in violation of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900. The Supreme Court held that absent a statutory provision for vicarious liability, directors cannot be automatically held responsible for their company's acts. The complaint contained only vague allegations of personal involvement by the accused. The Court found no sufficient evidence of personal culpability and quashed the complaint and cognizance order, clarifying that the company itself could still be prosecuted for breach of license conditions."
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