New Delhi [India], December 30 : Delhi's Rohini court made some serious remarks in the manner in which the investigation was conducted by the Delhi police while rejecting the accused's bail plea on Tuesday. The court said that the investigation was done in a slipshod manner.
This case concerns allegations of trading in expired goods from reputed brands. FIR in this case was lodged after the Delhi High Court passed an order. The high court is also seized of the matter.
The court has directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court, with a request that it be placed before the Division Bench dealing with the matter as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vinod Yadav, on December 30, rejected the second bail plea of Atul Jalan.
"Since, I have heard the learned counsel for the applicant, learned Additional Public Prosecutor and Investigation officer and have also perused the investigation file, it is hereby observed that the investigation in the matter is being conducted in a very slip-shod manner, without actually addressing the issues for which the Honourable High Court of Delhi was pleased to pass order dated 19.12.2023," ASJ Vinod Yadav said in the order.
The court further observed, "A perusal of the report filed in the matter as well as the investigation file reveals that the applicant is just one of the players indulging in trading in expired goods of reputed brands, which are a health hazard to the general public, but the larger players are still at bay."
While rejecting the bail plea, the court also noted that based on the aforesaid order passed by the Delhi High Court, the Crime Branch had registered an FIR in the present matter.
The court further noted that, on the learned Single Judge's specific directions, the matter was referred to the Division Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, which treated it as a Public Interest Litigation.
(PIL) titled as, "Court On Its Own Motion V/s Atul Jalan, Trading as Akshat Online Traders And Ors.", which is currently pending before the High Court and is presently listed for further consideration on 08.04.2026.
"The Honourable Division Bench from time to time has been passing directions to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Union of India, as well as the Delhi Police in the matter. Such directions are categorically reflected in the order dated 02.07.2025," the court observed.
"Further, a perusal of the investigation file clearly reveals that important aspects in the matter are not being investigated, to name a few, like the role of the Operations Manager of Urban Retail Pvt. Limited, the role of Abul Fazal, proprietor of M/s A.F Enterprises, and the role of Ayaz Ahmed, proprietor of M/s ANAM Waste Management,' ASJ Yadav said in the order.
He also stated, "Since I am not exercising the revisional jurisdiction, I refrain from commenting upon the quality of investigation in the matter, as the Honourable Division Bench of the High Court of Delhi is already seized of the matter."