Odisha DGP K B Singh today directed all the district superintendents of police to instruct the concerned police officers to withdraw all the criminal cases registered against the ineligible beneficiaries under National Food Security Act (NFSA), in the wake of a state government decision.
At least 6786 cases were registered in all the 30 districts of the State for violation of Odisha Public Distribution System (control) Order of 2016.
The DGP has asked the SPs to close all these cases by September 25.
The SPs have been asked to see that no fresh cases are registered under OPDS (control) Order till this month-end unless approval of the competent authority is obtained in this regard.
If any such cases are under investigation, final reports on them shall be made as "mistake of law" as per Rule 29(2) of the said Order of 2016.
If chargesheets in any such cases have been filed, then the concerned IIC shall reopen the cases for further investigation under section 173(8) of CrPC and thereafter, the cases shall be finally reported as "mistake of law".
Further, if any written report is received at any police station for violation of OPDS (control) Order, the same shall not be treated as an FIR or any criminal case shall be registered thereto.
No NBWs will be initiated against any offender and in case any NBW is pending against any absconder in such cases, the warrants shall be immediately recalled on the initiative of the investigating police officer, the DGP said in a circular issued to all SPs asking them to personally ensure that the directions are properly implemented.
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