JUDGMENT

Prafulla C. Pant, J.—Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

2. By means of this petition, moved under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the petitioner has sought quashing of the proceedings of criminal case No 1655 of 2004 State v. Vinod and others relating to offences punishable under Sections 323, 325, 506 of IPC, Police Station, Jwalapur, District Haridwar, pending in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Haridwar.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, in respect of the incident dated 5.6.2004, a non-cognizable report was registered by the Police Station Jwalapur, relating to offences punishable under Sections 323, 506 IPC against the petitioner Vinod and three others namely Mohit, Sandeep and Sanjay. It is argued on behalf of the petitioner that on a non-cognizable report, the police could not have investigated the matter, as such the charge-sheet filed in the case by the police is liable to be quashed.

4. No doubt Sub-section (2) of Section 155, provides that no police officer shall investigate a non-cognizable case without the order of a Magistrate having power to try such case or commit the case or trial, but in the present case the facts are not as simple case projected in the petition. It is true that initially a non-cognizable report was lodged, in respect of incident in question but after medical examination, the medical officer had advised the injured/complainant for x-ray. The supplementary medical report of the injured shows that in the x-ray, fracture of the right thumb of the injured, was found. Since this constituted grievous injury suffered by the injured/complainant (respondent No.2) the police converted the case registered as NCR, relating to one punishable under Section 325 IPC. After the conversion of the report in view of the above development the non-cognizable report did not remain as NCR. Rather now the same NCR was a First Information Report of a cognizable offence. That being so, there appears no illegality on the part of the investigating officer in investigating the case without formally seeking permission from the concerned Magistrate. The permission was necessary as required under Section 155(2) of Cr.P.C. till the report registered by police remained non-cognizable report only. In respect of a cognizable offence it was not necessary for the police to seek the permission. That being so the impugned charge sheet cannot be quashed on the ground that the Investigating Officer had no power to investigate the crime which was initially lodged as non-cognizable report, but later found to be report of cognizable offence and converted accordingly.

5. For the reasons as discussed above, this petition under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. is dismissed with the observation that if the petitioner Vinod surrenders before the court concerned (if not already on bail) and. moves on bail application, his bail application shall be heard and disposed of without unreasonable delay. Interim order 18.8.2005, stands vacated.

Petition dismissed.

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