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1998 (3) Crimes 91
PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
R.L. Anand. J.
Jaswant Singh & Anr. - Petitioners
versus
State of Punjab & Anr. -Respondents
Criminal Revision No. 532 of 1996
Decided on 20-5-1997

Headnote:Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 145, 146 - Proceedings u/s 145 - Order of appointment of Naib Tehsildar as Official Receiver u/s 146(1) Cr. P.C. - Executive Magistrate while taking cognizance of proceedings came to the conclusion that there existed bracelet of peace A civil litigation pending between parties - However, there was no firm finding or adjudication regarding possession over the land in dispute Whether provisions u/s 146 Cr. P.C. had been rightly invoked by the Executive Magistrate? (Yes) Revisional Court was not justified in holding that when the civil Court proceedings were pending the criminal proceedings u/s 145 Cr. P.C. could not be decided at any point of time Once there is an adjudication with regard to possession, in order to defeat that adjudication, proceedings u/s 145 Cr. P.C. could not and should not be allowed - However, in the present case, there being no adjudication, order u/s 146 Cr. P.C. restored.

       Held: The object of the proceedings under Section 145. Cr. P.C. is totally different that it to maintain peace and tranquility with respect to the immovable property till the rights of the parties are either adjudicated by the Executive Magistrate under Section 145 Cr. P.C. or by a Civil Court. A glance to the Code of Criminal Procedure would show that Section 145 has been introduced in the Chapter under the heading Urgent Cases of Nuisance or Apprehended Danger Right of possession and' the question of possession are two different things. In the proceedings under Section 145, Cr. P.C. limited question is always supposed to be discussed by the executive Magistrate. The question of possession on the date of the passing of the preliminary order and two months earlier to that and if the Executive Magistrate is not in a position to adjudicate this aspect of the case he has the power under Section 146. Cr. P.C. to invoke the emergent provisions and attach the property provisionally and call upon the parties to lead evidence or the parties can be left open to go to the Civil Court for the adjudication of their rights.

       (Para 6)

       A Magistrate acting under Section 145 Code of Criminal procedure is called upon to decide a question of possession the nature and period of which is limited by this section. The Magisterial authority is quicker and has more effective sanction behind the orders passed under Section 145. Criminal Procedure Code for avoiding the breach of peace or recurrence of such breaches, as compared with the powers of the civil Court under order XXXIX, rule 2(3), Civil Procedure Code. The finding recorded or the decision retained by a Magistrate in such cases is of course, subject to the decision of the Court; as the rights of the parties to possession are not decided in proceedings under Section 145, Criminal Procedure Code. The mere pendency of the civil suit about the same subject matter between the same parties or the orders of the Civil Court of the type discussed above do not restrain the criminal Court from exercising jurisdiction under Section 145, Criminal Procedure Code.

       (Para 7)

       Once there is an adjudication with regard to possession one way or the other in order to defeat that adjudication the proceedings under Section 145. Cr. P.C. could not and should not be allowed. Present is a case where there is no adjudication in favour of the respondents. Learned counsel for the respondents has relied upon the order dated 1st June, 1995, which has already been modified in the order dated 25th January. 1996. The rights of the parties vide these orders are in a fluid stage and it cannot be said that the respondents were having a decree in their arms to defeat the claim of the petitioners.

       (Para 8)

       Result: Revision allowed accordingly.

       

ORDER

R.L. Anand, J. - Present is a revision filed by Sukhwant Singh and Jaswant Singh and it has been directed against the order dated 10th July. 1996 passed by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge. Patiala who accepted the revision petition filed by Amarjit Singh and set aside the order dated 24.27 November. 1995 passed by the Executive Magistrate, Patiala who while taking the cognizance of the proceedings under Section 145 Cr. P.C. came to the conclusion that there existed breach of peace. The Executive Magistrate invoked the emergent provisions under Section 146(1). Cr. P.C. and appointed the Naib Tehsildar as Official Receiver of the land in dispute. The proceedings started on police report filed under Section 145. Cr. P.C. the Executive Magistrate vide order dated 24th-27th November, 1995 case to the conclusion that there was likelihood of the breach of peace with respect to the land comprised in Khasra No. 38 Min. measuring 3 Killas 13 Marlas situated in village- Sehnipur. Sub-Tehsil Dudhan Sadhan. District Patiala and sensing the breach of peace and by invoking the emergent provisions he appointed the Naib Tehsildar. Dudhan Sadhan as a receiver to maintain the suit land. Directions were also given to the Receiver to auction the land and deposit the amount in the Government Treasury. This revision petition I am disposing of with the assistance rendered by Shri Vinay Mittal. Senior Advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioners and Shri Arun Sanghi. Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondents.

2. This court is of the considered opinion that the impugned order passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge. Patiala cannot be sustained in the eye of law. Before re-proceed further I would like to reproduce para No.2 of the impugned judgment of Shri O.P. Goel, Additional Sessions Judge. Patiala:

"2. I have heard the ld. Counsel for the parties and have gone through the case. The Id. counsel for the revision petition has assailed the order of Id. Executive Magistrate on the following grounds:

1. The order passed by the Executive Magistrate is vague as no dimensions or boundaries of the property have been given by the Police or the Id. Magistrate on which the Receiver was going to be appointed.

2. There was a civil litigation pending between the parties and stay had been granted to the revision-petitioner before filing of the calendra u/s 145 Cr. P.C. and as such the criminal proceedings could not be initiated.

3. The impugned order was passed without hearing the counsel for the parties and without considering the documents filed by the petitioner in a hasty manner.

3. After hearing both the sides and going through the record of the case. I find force in the arguments of the Id. counsel for the Revisions Petitioner. The impugned order dated 24-11-1995 passed by the Executive Magistrate goes to show that the description of boundaries of the area measuring 3 Kanals 13 MarIas have not been given in this order. Similarly, the order u/s 146 Cr. P.C. issued on the basis of this order also goes to show that the boundaries or the other description regarding this area has not been given for that reason the order is vague. It is also not disputed that a civil litigation is pending, between the parties. The Revision petitioner Amarjit Singh has filed a suit against party No.1 which is pending before the Sub Judge 1st Class, Patiala, and in that case, stay has already been granted before the start of the proceedings u/s 145 Cr. P.C. it is further alleged that the land measuring, 24 Kanals 4 Marlas was allotted to Lakshmi Devi and others and the petitioner is their attorney. Assa Bai and other predecessor-in-interest of No.1 Challenged the allotment of Lakshmi Devi before the Hon'ble Court but their petition was dismissed. Suit filed by them was also withdrawn later on. The learned counsel for the revision petitioner has cited Ram Sumair Puri Mahant v. State of U.P. and others1, in this case the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held

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