place of publication.' paper' is not defined in the act, though ' newspaper' is, and section 5 of the act deals expressly with newspapers. the expression ' paper printed' is.....

Judgment:

John Beaumont, Kt., C.J.

1. This is a reference made by the Sessions Judge of Nasik recommending that this Court should set aside the conviction of a man named Dattatraya Malhar Ilidkar, who was convicted under Section 12 of the Press and Registration of Books Act, Act XXV of 1867, and fined Rs. 5. The learned Sessions Judge thinks that the conviction was not justified in law. What the accused person did was to distribute in the streets printed handbills in the form of exhibit 3, giving notice of two meetings of agriculturists which were to be held in orderthe signature of the Secretary to the Local Congress Committee inviting certain agriculturists to attend public meetings convened in connection with certain grievances of theirs. The accused was merely found distributing the pamphlets to the public, and for that act he was held liable as a publisher. Section 12 provides that ' whoever shall print or publish any book or paper otherwise than in conformity with the rule contained in Section 3 of this Act' shall be punished by fine, etc. Section 3 requires certain particulars to appear on every book or paper printed in British India. Those particulars do not appear on the pamphlet in question. The gist of the offence is the printing or publishing of any book or paper, and the pertinent questions that arise