IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
JITENDRA KUMAR, J.
Criminal Misc. No.17102 of 2023
(7.1.2025)
Kailash Thakur @ Kailash Bihari Thakur & Ors. … Petitioners
vs.
State of Bihar & Anr. … Opp. Parties
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 482 [Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Section 528] – Constitution of India – Article 226 – While exercising power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or under Article 226 of Constitution, Court does not function as a Court of Appeal or Revision – Power to quash F.I.R. cannot be used to stifle or scuttle a legitimate prosecution – Police has statutory duty and right to investigate allegation of cognizable offence – Power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. and Article 226 of Constitution should be used sparingly and with abundant caution – When malafide or ulterior motive is alleged by accused in institution of F.I.R., Court is duty bound to look into it – If it is manifested from material on record that F.I.R. has been lodged with malafide and ulterior motive to wreak vengeance and allegation is frivolous and vexatious, Court can quash F.I.R. – However, if, as per uncontroverted allegation, there is disclosure of cognizable offence, prosecution cannot be scuttled at initial stage. (Paras 25 to 29)
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 – Sections 3(i)(r)(s)/3(2)(va) read with Sections 323, 341, 379, 324, 325, 307, 504 and 506 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 – Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 482 [Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Section 528] – Assault and abuse by caste name – Common intention – Mere previous litigations or inimical relationship between informant and accused side could not be sole ground of quashing F.I.R. – Informant has been subjected to offence on account of informant being a member of scheduled caste with intent to humiliate him and this humiliation has taken place in public view of co-villagers – Investigation has to follow to unearth truth regarding alleged cognizable offence – Quashing petition dismissed. (Paras 44, 45 and 46)
Jitendra Kumar, J.—The present petition under Section 482 Cr.PC has been preferred for quashing the First Information Report of Basopatti P.S. Case No. 03 of 2022 registered on 03.01.2022 against eleven accused persons including the petitioners herein for offence punishable under Sections 323, 341, 379, 324, 325,307, 504 and 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3(i)(r)(s)/3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
2. The prosecution case as emerging from the written report of the informant is that on 29.12.2021 at 7:00 AM, he was taken by accused Binod Pandey for some labour work. As per his direction, the informant cut grass from his field. Thereafter the informant was asked to come at 1:00 P.M. for his labour charge and when the informant went to the accused Binod Pandey for labour charge, he was asked to clean his toilet and only then he would get his labour charge. But the informant refused to clean toilet. Then the accused Binod Pandey stated to him that he would not pay his labour charge because he has not cleaned the toilet despite being a harijan. Hot talk ensued between the two. In the meantime, Rajan Pandey, son of Binod Pandey came to him and started abusing him, using the word Madhar Chod Harijan and asking how he was daring to disobey the order of his father. He also threw the plate with leftover food, which he was carrying in his hand, on his face and he pushed him down. Both Binod Pandey and Rajan Pandey continued abusing him, using the word harijan. On hearing hulla, Bhogendra Mandal, Rajendra Mandal and others came there. After seeing these people, both the accused went back into their house. The informant returned to his home without getting labour charge.
3. It is further alleged that at 7 PM, accused Birendra Jha arrived at the house of Binod Pandey with arms in his hand and made unlawful assembly and proceeded towards the house of the informant with intent to commit loot. Accused Rishi Thakur was carrying iron rod, Abhay Thakur @ Chhotu and Rajendra Thakur were carrying lathi in their hands, Rakesh Thakur was carrying iron rod, Keshav Thakur was also carrying rod, Kailash Thakur was carrying lathi, Raju Thakur was carrying pistol and Mukesh Thakur was carrying lathi. They reached the house of the informant. Birendra Jha and Binod Pandey started loot-pat in his house. Birendra Jha also stated to him that despite being harijan, he was daring to disobey the order of Binod Pandey. He also stated that he would be forced to flee away from here that day. The informant protested against the entry of the accused persons into his house, whereupon accused Binod Pandey and Rakesh Kumr spit on his face and abused him and threatned that he had become arrogant and he would not be allowed to live. By that time, accused Sukmari Devi, Raj Kumari Devi, Bimla Devi, Malti Devi, Mandi Mandal, Yogendra Mandal also rushed to the place of occurrence and prohibited the accused persons from entering into the house of the informant. But, accused Binod Pandey, Rajendra Thakur and Birendra Jha exhorted their men to assault these persons also, who had come to protect harizan, whereupon, accused Rajan Pandey assaulted Bimla Devi on her head. However, Bimla Devi escaped from the attack on head but sustained injury on her shoulder and her shoulder got broken. Sukmari Devi was assaulted by Rakesh Thakur by iron rod resulting into breaking of her hand. Rishi Thakur assaulted Sukmari Devi on her waist. Malti Devi was assaulted by Rajendra Thakur on her head. Binod Pandey assaulted the informant causing injury to him and Raj Kumari Devi was assaulted by Kailash Thakur and she was asked about the whereabouts of her husband Nage Mandal to kill him. But fortunately Nage Mandal was not at his home. Birendra Jha and Mangal were also displaying their pistols to cause fear in their mind. Due to hulla, many people also came there but seeing these persons, the accused persons fled
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Quashing petition under SC/ST Act dismissed as FIR allegations of caste abuse at public place prima facie disclose offences; courts accept averments at face value without evidence appreciation, civil....
The court ruled that allegations of caste-based abuse in public view under the SC & ST Act cannot be quashed without trial, emphasizing the need for intent to humiliate linked to caste identity.
The court emphasized that the power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. should be sparingly exercised and that the court should not interfere with the investigation unless no cognizable offence is disclosed. I....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the court's power to quash proceedings under Section 482 of the CrPC to prevent abuse of the process of law and to secure the ends of justice.
The court held that an FIR alleging cognizable offences cannot be quashed merely based on claims of disability or false implication; the truth of allegations is to be assessed at trial.
The court quashed the FIR due to lack of essential elements for prosecution under the SC/ST Act, emphasizing the need to prevent malicious prosecution.
The central legal point established in the judgment is the need to prevent the misuse of the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and to discourage dis....
The main legal point established in the judgment is that if the allegations in the FIR do not prima facie constitute a case against the accused, the proceedings can be quashed.
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