The Collector of Jabalpur issued directions to lodge FIRs against various entities, including school managements, book sellers, and publishers, based on complaints received from parents. The FIRs allege that the book sellers, in conspiracy with school managements and publishers, charged exorbitant prices for books and used forged International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs). The book sellers are alleged to have been selling books with forged or duplicate ISBN codes.
The Book Sellers alleged that the same are innocent and have been falsely implicated. There are no allegations of forgery or cheating against the book sellers. Mentioning or not mentioning an ISBN on a book is irrelevant and does not attract any penal action.
The Court noted that the FIRs and the enquiry reports submitted by the committees prima facie implicate the book sellers in the alleged offenses.
The Court observed that the matter is at the investigation stage, and the allegations against the book sellers, including the seizure of books with forged or duplicate ISBNs, are serious in nature. Considering the nature of the allegations, the Court did not inclined to grant bail to the book sellers at this stage. Accordingly, the Court dismissed the bail applications filed by the book sellers.
Case Citation: Alok Kumar Indurkhya Vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh: 09.07.2024: Misc Crl.Case No. 24947 of 19.07.2024:Madhya Pradesh High Court: Maninder S Bhatti. H.J.
Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman
IP Adjutor [Patent and Trademark Attorney]
