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1989 Supreme(Pat) 279

PATNA HIGH COURT
Binodanand Singh, J.
Deo Prasad Saha
Versus
Ravi Ravidas
Criminal Revision No. 680 of 1987 ;
Decided On : AUGUST 9, 1989

The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to local inspection in proceedings under Section 145 must be strictly followed, and the Magistrate cannot resort to provisions from other chapters of the Code, such as Section 310, which are not applicable to such proceedings.

Headnote:

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE - SECTION 145, 148, 310 - LOCAL INSPECTION - PROCEDURE - INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION.

Fact of the Case:

A criminal revision application was filed challenging the final order passed in a proceeding under Section 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) declaring the possession of a disputed land in favor of one party.

Finding of the Court:

The court held that the local inspection conducted by the Magistrate under Section 310 of the CrPC was improper and illegal as it falls under a different chapter of the Code dealing with general provisions for inquiry and trial, and not under Chapter X which deals with maintenance of public order and tranquility, where Section 145 falls.

Issues: 1. Whether the Magistrate erred in applying Section 310 of the CrPC for local inspection in a proceeding under Section 145 of the CrPC. 2. Whether the Magistrate had the authority to conduct the local inspection himself under Section 148 of the CrPC.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. Section 145 of the CrPC falls under Chapter X, which deals with maintenance of public order and tranquility, and has specific provisions for local inquiry under Section 148. 2. Section 310 of the CrPC falls under Chapter XXIV, which deals with general provisions for inquiry and trial, and is intended for local inspection during trial proceedings. 3. Section 148 of the CrPC authorizes the District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate to depute a subordinate Magistrate for local inquiry, but does not empower them to conduct the inspection themselves.

Final Decision: The court set aside the impugned order and remanded the case back to the Magistrate, directing the Magistrate to conduct a fresh local inquiry under Section 148 of the CrPC and dispose of the proceeding within four months.

Judgment

1. This criminal revision application is directed against final order passed in a proceeding u/s. 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter referred to as the Code dated 7-5-1987 by Sri J. Kachhap, Resident Magistrate, Rajmahal (Sahabganj) in case No. 224 of 1979 by which the learned Magistrate has declared the possession of the member of the 2nd party opposite party No. 1 opposite party Nos. 2 and 3 are formal parties. Originally Harinarain Saha was the first party in the Court below and the petitioners 1 to 3 are sons of Harinarain Saha.

2. This case has a long history of its own because, it appears from the record, a proceeding u/s. 144 of the Code was drawn up on 12-11-1979, on an application filed by Harinarain Saha, father of the petitioners, between Harinarain Saha and opposite party No. 2 Khatim Sheikh and others. It further appears from the record that after filing of show cause etc. a proceeding u/s. 145 of the Code was initiated by order dated 24-12-1979 with respect to the same plot of land. The plot of land in dispute lies in Mauza Lakhipur Sazanpur, Zamabandi No. 334, plot No. 112, Area 15 Kathas 10 dhurs. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that opposite parties Nos. 2 and 3 relinquished their claim of the possession over the disputed land in course of the proceeding in favour of Harinarain Saha and only contesting party was opposite party No. 1. After all the requirements of proceeding u/s. 145 of the Code were fulfilled including the local inspection of the disputed land by the Executive Magistrate himself, in whose Court the proceeding was pending. The learned Executive Magistrate passed final order in favour of opposite party No. 1 declaring the disputed land in his possession. Thereafter the father of the petitioner, namely, Harinarain Saha moved this Court in Criminal Revision No. 648 of 1982 which was disposed of by order dated 4-7-1986 by which the final order passed by the Executive Magistrate was set aside and the case was remanded back. At the time of remand it was observed that there was no sufficient compliance of the procedure which was necessary for the learned Magistrate to hear the arguments of the parties after he made the local inspection of the spot, and thereafter he should have passed the order. In that view of the matter the impugned order was set aside and the case was sent back to the Court below for disposing of the matter afresh in accordance with law and in the light of the observations made above. It was further made clear that no fresh evidence will be adduced, but only arguments of the parties will be heard by the learned Magistrate and the matter must be disposed of within two months from the date of passing of the order.

3. On remand the parties were heard and thereafter the order which has been challenged in this criminal revision passed by the learned Court below. The learned counsel for the petitioners has raised two points before this Court. First that the learned Executive Magistrate has misled himself by applying the provisions u/s. 310 of the Code in a proceeding u/s. 145 of the Code since, according to the scheme of the Code of Criminal Procedure, both the proceedings under Secs. 145, 146 and 147 fall in a different chapter of the Code of Criminal Procedure whereas sec. 310 relates to different circumstances. I quite agree with the above submission of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners. In the impugned order it has been clearly stated by the learned Court below that it held local inspection u/s. 310 of the Code. Now let me examine the legal aspect of the matter. sec. 145 of the Code falls within Chapter X of the Code of Criminal Procedure which relates to maintenance of public order and tranquility. sec. 145 lays down procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause of peace and within this chapter there is special provision for local inspection which can be found u/s. 148 of the Code and the very he



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