SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
M. H. Kania and K. Jagannatha Shetty, JJ.
Jhunamal @ Devandas - Appellant
versus
State of Madhya Pradesh and others - Respondents
Criminal Appeal No. 139 of 1987
Decided on 25-8-1988
Held, an order made under section 145 Cr. P.C. deals only with the factum of possession of the party as on a particular day. It confers no title to remain in possession of the disputed property. The order is subject to decision of the civil court. The unsuccessful party therefore must get relief only in the civil court. He may move the civil court with properly constituted suit. He may file a suit for declaration and prove a better right to possession. (Para 7)
Result
Appeal allowed.
JUDGMENT
Jagannatha Shetty, J. - We grant special leave and proceed to dispose of the appeal.
2. The appeal is directed against the order of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh dated April 25, 1986 quashing the final order made under section 145 of Cr. P.C. in respect of a shop premises. The shop was in possession of one Asgarali son of Akbar Ali as mortgage since October 17, 1969. On August 7,1982, Asgarali was said to have leased out the shop to the petitioner and also delivered possession thereof. The entering of possession by the petitioner became a subject matter of dispute. Apprehending breach of peace, the police initiated proceedings under section 145 Cr. P.C. before the Additional District Magistrate, Ujjain. In that proceedings, the petitioner was party No. 2 and respondent No. 2 was party No. 1. On August 13, 1982, the Magistrate made a preliminary order. The proceedings continued for about three years. On May 17, 1985, the Magistrate made the final order in the following terms :-
"Hence I believe that the party No.2, Jummamal alias Devandass S/o. Jethanand had the occupation within two months from 13-8-1982 on which summons were issued by the court under section 145 sub-section (1).
Hence I order that party No. 2 Jummamal is entitled for the occupation of the shop unless he is evicted by procedure established by law. And I issue injunction that there should not be any obstacle in handing over the possession to Summa mal. And if there are locks placed by Motilal or his accomplices, the same should be broken open. And the goods, if any, found in the shop should be handed over to a responsible person after making a panchnama."
It will be seen from the above order that the petitioner is entitled to restoration of possession since he was dispossessed forcibly and wrongfully within the terms of proviso to section 145(4) of Cr. P.C. But unfortunately, the petitioner could not be put into possession.
3. On July 15, 1985, the respondent filed a suit for injunction. On August 14, 1985, he obtained temporary injunction against the appellant. But upon appeal that temporary injunction was vacated. The learned first Additional District Judge, who delivered the judgment in that appeal, has recorded the following findings:
"Consequently it is clear from the above analysis that Asgar Ali was in possession of the disputed shop till 7-8-82. It seems to be his prima facie right to rent out the shop. That it seems that he received the rent in advance, executed the rent deed and transferred the possession to appellant/Jhummamal. As it is mentioned above the First Information Report lodged by Kanhayalal on behalf of Jhummamal in which it is stated that Jhummamal obtained possession on 9.8.82, does not seem right, when only respondent has demanded possession in his petition dated 13-8-82. Hence I believe that Jhummamal obtained the possession of the disputed shop in his capacity as tenant. Respondent and his brothers but their lichgate on. And as my options on the date of occurrence of incident, Jhummanial was in possession of the shop, respondent/plaintiff does not have a prima facie case in his favour................................................................................................
Hence, I believe that the temporary injunction order passed by the lower court is not just and as per law. Consequently while disagreeing with the order passed by the lower court, I accept the appeal and quash the order passed by the lower court."
4. In between the parties, there were also certain criminal proceedings regarding the theft from and house trespass on the same premises. A couple of days before the preliminary order was made under section 145 Cr. P.G, a relation of the appellant filed report before the Police complaining against the respondent. On that report the respondent was prosecuted under sections 380 and 454 of the I.P.C. On Feb. 22, 1984, he was convicted of the said offences. But upon appeal, he was acquitted by the Additional
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