Dr. ANSHUMAN, J.
Criminal Revision No.398 of 2017
(16.3.2023)
Chote Lal Patel
@ Rahul and Anr ... Petitioners
vs.
State of Bihar ... Respondents
Indian Penal Code, 1860 – Sections 302/34 – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 227 – Murder – Rejection of petition for discharge from criminal case – Petitioner has failed to raise any question of legality, correctness and propriety of order – Scope of revision is very limited and only question of legality and correctness of order may be tested in revision – Criminal Revision dismissed – In interest of justice, liberty granted to petitioners that they may raise said plea at appropriate stage of trial under appropriate provision of law before appropriate forum. (Paras 5, 6 and 7)
ORDER
Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned A.P.P. for the State.
2. The present Cr. Revision has been filed against the order dated 27.02.2017 passed by Additional District & Sessions Judge, IVth, Patna in Sessions Trial No. 683 of 2015, by which, the petition for discharge under Section 227 of the Cr.P.C., 1973 has been rejected by the court below.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioners are named accused in Beur P.S. Case No. 206 of 2014 under Section 302/34 of the Indian Penal Code, in which, charge sheet has been filed against the petitioners on 30.11.2014 bearing Beur P.S. Case No. 206 of 2014. Upon filing of the charge sheet cognizance has been taken in this case against the petitioners and after compliance of Section 207 of Cr.P.C. commitment took place in the said case and case was put on trial bearing Session Trial No. 683 of 2015. Learned counsel submits that at the time of filing of charge sheet the Investigating Officer has observed that investigation shall continue, in result of the continuing investigation, supplementary charge sheet has been filed against four named accused persons, for which separate Session Trial No. 684 of 2015 is going on.
4. Learned counsel submits that a discharge petition has been filed under Section 227 of the Cr.P.C., in which, the police papers of Session Trial No. 684 of 2015 for the rest four accused has been requested to be use for deciding the discharge petition. He further submits that the police papers of Session Trial No. 684 of 2015 are treated to be part and parcel of the investigation of Beur P.S. Case No. 206 of 2014 itself. He also submits that the police papers including the supplementary charge sheet indicates the names of accused persons who are involved in commission of crime. He further submits that name of the present petitioners has come only on the basis of suspicion, there is no eye witness and facts and circumstances of the case indicates that the petitioners are innocent. Learned counsel submits that the Session Court has rejected the prayer for discharge of petitioners on the ground that in the different paragraphs of the case diary there are materials against them.
5. Learned counsel for the State submits that the Cr. Revision proceeding and the proceeding of Cr. Appeal are different. The scope of revision is very limited and only question of legality and correctness of the order may be tested in revision.
6. In the opinion of the Court, there is subsistence in the argument of the counsel for the State that counsel for the petitioner has failed to raise any question of legality, correctness and propriety of the order, as such, I found that there is no need of interference in the said order and this Cr. Revision is hereby dismissed.
7. But in the interest of justice, liberty is granted to the petitioners that they may raise the said plea at the appropriate stage of trial under the appropriate provision of law before appropriate forum.
Discharge of accused – If there is sufficient ground for presuming that accused has committed offence, order of discharge cannot be passed and accused has to face trial.
Stage of considering the discharge application, the Court is not expected to go deep into the probative value of the material on record.
The need for a reasoned order while passing an order of discharge and the essentials of framing charges under Section 227 of Cr.P.C.
Discharge from criminal charges requires prima facie evidence; mere naming in FIR without supporting evidence is insufficient for trial.
Court's authority to frame and alter charges depends on the presence of prima facie evidence, distinguishing between murder and dowry death charges under relevant legal provisions.
Acquittal of co-accused on identical charges and evidence mandates discharge of other accused to prevent abuse of process.
A judge must provide adequate reasoning when discharging an accused under Sections 227 and 239 of the Cr.P.C., ensuring that the decision is based on a thorough examination of the charge sheet and re....
At the stage of Section 227 of Cr.P.C., the Court must determine whether the material on record, if un-rebutted, is such on the basis of which a conviction is reasonably possible.
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