Civil Wharfage Refund Dispute Cannot Be Prosecuted as Criminal Offence: Madras HC

N. Lakshman Reddy Vs State (Madras High Court) The Madras High Court allowed petitions seeking quashing of criminal proceedings pending before the IX Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai, arising out of allegations relating to the refund of excess wharfage charges. The Court held that the dispute did not disclose the ingredients of the alleged criminal offences and that continuation of the prosecution amounted to an abuse of the process of law. The prosecution alleged that medical equipment imported by an importer through Chennai Port attracted wharfage charges of Rs. 59,23,610/-. It was alleg...