JUDGMENT - M.L. DUDHAT, J. :---The important question arising for resolution in this writ petition is "whether there are reasonable grounds to hold that cognizable offences under sections 153-A and 153-B of the Indian Penal Code, hereinafter `the Code, have been committed by respondents Nos. 3 and 4 by publishing articles in the news paper `Samna which are at Exhs. `A to `I and `K to this petition.

2. Petitioner No. 1 in this case is a retired I.A.S. officer. Petitioner No. 2 is a founder Editor of Business India and Business World and a management consultant. They have sought a direction in the nature of writ of mandamus to respondents Nos. 1 and 2 to register crime under sections 153-A and 153-B of the Code against respondents Nos. 3 and 4 and thereafter proceed in accordance with law. The relevant facts are as under :

3. After the demolition of Babri Masjid, riots took place in Bombay. During that time respondent No. 3 Editor and respondent No. 4 Executive Editor of newspaper `Samna published editorials which, according to the present petitioners, prima facie fall within the mischief of sections 153-A and 153-B of the Code. Though the offences under sections 153-A and 153-B of the

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