#Fertilizer Control Order

The Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed a ₹5 lakh penalty under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, ruling that regulatory authorities cannot impose penalties without explicitly stating the charge in the show-cause notice. This judgment reinforces procedural fairness in enforcement actions under the Essential Commodities Act, impacting companies and government agencies alike.

The Karnataka High Court held that under Section 10 of the Essential Commodities Act, a corporate director cannot be prosecuted for fertilizer violations unless the company itself is named as an accused party. This clarifies the threshold for vicarious liability under the Fertilizer Control Order, shielding officers from automatic criminal exposure when the corporate entity remains uncharged.