IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
RAJIV ROY, J.
Criminal Appeal (SJ) No.4228 of 2024
(20.1.2025)
Ashok Thakur & Ors. ... Appellants
vs.
State of Bihar & Anr. ... Respondents
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – Section 82 – Proclamation for person absconding – The Police failed to arrest the accused-appellants and petition was filed after returning the non-bailable warrant – Different dates clearly show that the police took recourse to all the remedy and only after passage of one year and when the appellants chose not to seek any legal remedy while evading arrest, went for issuance of process under Section 82 of the Cr.P.C. after returning the arrest warrants which was granted – Though the court concerned should have been cautious in recording certain facts which is mandated under Section 82 Cr.P.C., that cannot be a ground to set aside the said order when it is seen in totality and particularly when the appellants remained in deep slumber for a long period – No case of interference made out in the petition and it stands dismissed accordingly – Interim protection vacated. (Paras 22 to 26)
Sanjay Kumar Vs. State of Bihar, Cr. Misc. No. 629 of 2018 : 2023 (3) BLJ 474; Ajeet Kumar Vs. State of Bihar, Cr. Misc. No. 66151 of 2023, dated 14.08.2024 – Distinguished.
Rajiv Roy, J.—Heard the parties.
2. Pursuant to the last order of coordinate bench, SI, Aman Kumar Singh is present in the Court.
3. The present application has been preferred for setting aside the Order dated-10.06.2024, passed in G.R. No. 77 of 2023/S.C. & S.T. P.S. Case No. 38 of 2023, by the learned Additional Sessions Judge Cum Special Judge, S.C. & S.T. Act Madhubani, by which he has pleased to pass an order of proclamation (U/sec.-82 of Cr. P.C. process) against the appellants in connection with S.C. & S.T. P.S. Case No. - 38 of 2023, dated 10.06.2023, corresponding to G.R. No.- 77 of 2023 registered for offence u/sec.- 341, 323, 504, 354(B), 379, 506/34 of Indian Penal Code and Section and 3/4 of Daain Act and Sections 3(i)(r)(s)(w), 3(2)(va) of S.C. & S.T. Act 1983 as neither summon nor B.W. and N.B.W. have been issued against the appellants nor Tamila of same are available on record.
4. As per the prosecution story, the informant alleged that eyeing his piece of land, the accused came and wanted to construct the house. When the informant objected, was abused by taking caste name and allegation against these appellants is/are that he put a towel around his neck and tried to press it while other accused outraged the modesty of his wife as also took away certain amount/ornaments. As the Police earlier failed to lodge FIR, filed complaint whereafter finally the FIR was lodged.
5. The case came to be registered on 10.06.2023. The investigation took place in the matter and finally on 18.12.2023, the Police submitted petition before the concerned Court for issuance of warrant against the accused persons including these appellants. The order as such was received by the Police on 20.12.2023 by which non bailable warrants were issued against all the accused persons including the appellants.
6. From the record, it seems that the other accused persons immediately preferred bail after surrendering before the Count on 27.01.2024 and they were extended the relief. However, the appellants evaded arrest. The case diary shows that the Police visited the house of the appellants alongwith the warrant on 18.01.2024 but the accused were found absconding. On 28.02.2024 again, the Police tried to execute the warrant but found the accused absconding. The same fact has been recorded by the Police in the case diary on 06.04.2024 and thereafter on 05.06.2024.
7. It was in the said background that the Police through the State submitted petition by returning the nonbailable warrant against the accused, Ashok Thakur, Pawan Thakur and Punita Kumari with further prayer to the Court to pass an order for putting up the poster against the accused persons under Section 82 of the Cr. P.C.
8. On 20.06.2024, the Court accepted the said prayer/petition of the Police and accordingly, an order was passed. Learned counsel for the appellants upon query by the Court whether they preferred anticipatory bail, it was submitted that in the month of September, 2024, anticipatory bail was preferred which was rejected by the concerned Court. Later, Cr. Appeal (SJ) No. 4944 of 2024 was filed against the said order by the appellants herein in which interim protection has been granted on 30.10.2024 by the coordinate bench and is presently pending before the learned Special Judge, (S.C & S.T. Act), Madhubani.
9. Thereafter, the present petition has been filed by the same set of accused persons challenging the order dated 10.06.2024.
10. It is the case of the appellants that from the order dated 10.06.2024, it is not reflected that the non-bailable warrant was returned to the Court whereafter having been satisfied, the aforesaid order was passed. He submits that in that background, interference is required.
11. Learned counsel for the appellants further submitted that they are the resident under the jurisdiction of Basopatti Police Station whereas the case has been lodged under SC/ST Act and as such the Police in view of the Section 79 of the Cr.P.C. was required to take the police o
Non-bailable warrants cannot be issued in a routine manner and must be supported by specific reasons to protect individual liberties under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution.
Non-bailable warrants cannot be issued routinely; courts must provide adequate reasoning and evidence to justify such action, ensuring individual liberty is not curtailed without necessity.
Non-bailable warrants must not be issued routinely and require specific judicial justification to protect individual liberties as mandated by Article 21.
Issuance of Non-Bailable Warrants requires specific justifications and must not occur routinely; individual liberty should be prioritized unless necessitated by compelling circumstances.
Non-bailable warrants should not be issued routinely and must be justified with specific reasons, emphasizing the balance between individual rights and public interest.
Non-bailable warrants cannot be issued in a routine manner; courts must ensure specific, reasoned justification for their necessity to protect individual liberties.
Before issuing Non-Bailable Warrant due care and precaution is warranted for Trial Court and Non-Bailable Warrant should not be issued in a cursory manner.
Court must record satisfaction of evasion of arrest before issuing non-bailable warrants or proclamations under Section 82 of Cr.P.C.
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