Food adulterators may get life term

New Delhi, January 17

Those convicted of manufacturing and selling adulterated food may end up spending their lives in jail and pay Rs10 lakh as fine, if recommendations of the Law Commission in this regard are accepted.

In its report The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2017, (Provisions dealing with Food Adulteration) submitted to the Law Ministry today, the law panel has proposed amendments to sections 272 and 273 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 272 deals with manufacture of adulterated items while Section 273 deals with their sale.

The Commission has recommended harsher punishments than the present six-month jail term.

Grading “injury” to those consuming these adulterated products into various categories, the commission has recommended different jail terms and fines. According to the amendments proposed, a “non-grievous injury” may attract jail term of one year and a fine of Rs3 lakh.

A grievous injury may lead to a jail term of 6 years and a fine of Rs5 lakh. In case of death of a person after consuming adulterated food items, the panel has recommended life in jail and a fine of Rs10 lakh.

The Union Home Ministry had asked the commission to recommend changes to the two sections of the IPC after a Supreme Court order. — PTI