IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
JITENDRA KUMAR, J.
Criminal Revision No. 391 of 2019
(20.2.2025)
Nand Jee Singh & Ors. ... Petitioners
vs.
State of Bihar & Ors. ... Respondents
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – Section 145 – Dispute over land or water causing breach of peace – Inquiry under Section 145 Cr.P.C. is limited to the question as to who was in actual possession on the date of report or information, irrespective of the title to the property and right to possess the same – The purpose of the provisions is to provide a speedy and summary remedy so as to prevent a breach of peace by submitting the dispute to the Executive Magistrate for solution as between the parties disputing the question of possession over the property – The condition precedent for initiating proceeding under Section 145 Cr.P.C. is satisfaction of the Executive Magistrate regarding apprehension of breach of public peace on account of dispute relating to the actual possession of the subject property, as per report or information received by the Executive Magistrate – Such satisfaction must be based on ground mentioned in the preliminary order made under Section 145(1) Cr.P.C. – If the effect any dispute is confined only to few individuals who are parties to the dispute, such dispute could not give any apprehension of breach of public peace and tranquility – Such private civil dispute comes within exclusive jurisdiction of Civil Court – The facts and circumstances of the present case constitute a private civil dispute which could be adjudicated only in the Civil Court – There was no occasion for learned Executive Magistrate to initiate the proceeding under Section 145 Cr.P.C. – it was abuse of the process of the Court and liable to be quashed and set aside – impugned order set aside – parties given liberty to move the Civil Court. (Paras 14, 15, 16 & 21 to 24)
Ashok Kumar Vs. State of Uttarakhand, (2013) 3 SCC 366 (ii) Sharad Yadav @ Gappu Vs. State of U.P., 2013 SCC Online All 4840; Madhu Sharma Vs. Ajit Sharma, (2013) 2 Gauhati Law Reports 837; Brahmputra Iron & Steel Co. Pvt. Ltd. Vs. Premchand Tolaram Babna Charitable Trust, Assam, 2012 Cri.L.J. (NOC) 375 (Gau); Shanti Kumar Panda Vs. Shakuntala Devi, (2004) 1 SCC 438; Ranbir Singh Vs. Dalbir Singh, (2002) 3 SCC 700; Prakash Chand Sachdeva Vs. P.R., (1994) 1 SCC 471; Chandu Naik Vs. Sitaram B. Naik (1978) 1 SCC 210; R.H. Bhutani Vs. Mani J. Desai, 1968 SCC Online SC 5; Bhinka Vs. Charan Singh, AIR 1959 SC 960; Md. Ansaruddin Vs. State of Assam, (2008) Cri.L.J. (NOC) 479 (Gau); Chirstalin Costa Vs. State of Goa, 1993 MHLJ 1409; Tarulata Devi Vs. Nikhil Bandhu Mishra, 1982 SCC Online Gau. 35 – Relied.
Jitendra Kumar, J.—The present revision petition has been preferred by the petitioners against the impugned order dated 30.11.2018 passed by learned Additional District & Sessions Judge-VI, Siwan in Criminal Revision No. 44 of 2001, whereby learned Sessions Court has allowed the revision petition setting aside the impugned order dated 16.11.2000 passed by learned Executive Magistrate, Maharajganj in proceeding initiated under Section 145 Cr.PC in Trial No. 22 of 2000 and possession of first party Suba Ram over the disputed land is confirmed and the second party who are petitioners herein are directed not to interfere in the possession of the first party over the land in question.
2. The factual background of the case is that in view of report dated 15.10.1988 of Officer-in-charge of local Police Station, proceeding under Section 144 Cr.PC was initiated. As per the report, there was tension prevailing between two parties on account of land dispute. However, subsequently by the order dated 31.12.1988, the proceeding under Section 144 Cr.PC was closed and proceeding under Section 145 Cr.PC was initiated after hearing both the parties.
3. As per the preliminary order dated 31.12.1988, whereby the proceeding under Section 145 Cr.PC has been initiated, both the parties admit that khatiyani raiyat of the land in question is Jita Chamar. However, the first party Suba Ram claims that he is legal heir/successor of said Jita Chamar. He is also claiming that he is in possession of the property in question. As per his claim, some house are also built over some part of the land. However, as per second party, who are petitioners herein, they have got this land in execution of mortgage decree and they are also paying land revenue to the Government. Hence, learned S.D.M. found that there is dispute between the parties in regard to possession and it is not possible for him to decide who is in actual possession, hence, requiring enquiry under Section 145 Cr.PC.
4. During proceeding under Section 145 Cr.PC, both the parties filed their written statements and examined their witnesses in support of their claim. After inquiry, learned S.D.M. came to the conclusion by the order dated 16.11.2000 that second party who are petitioners herein were in possession of the land in dispute and first party who are O.P. Nos. 2 to 5 herein are restrained from creating disturbance in the peaceful possession of the second party till any order by competent Civil Court in this regard.
5. Subsequently, the first party Suba Ram preferred criminal revision bearing No. 44 of 2001 wherein learned Sessions Court set aside the order of Executive Magistrate dated 16.11.2000 vide his order dated 26.08.2011. Against the said order dated 26.08.2011, the petitioners herein preferred Criminal Revision bearing No. 1121 of 2012 before this Court, wherein this Court set aside the said order dated 26.08.2011 passed by learned Sessions Court and remitted the matter to the Sessions Court to decide the matter afresh in accordance with law. Subsequently, the impugned order has been passed whereby learned Sessions Court allowed the criminal revision setting aside the impugned order dated 16.11.2000 passed by learned Executive Magistrate, Maharajganj and held that it is the first party Suba Ram who is in possession of the property in question.
6. I heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned APP for the State as well as learned counsel for the O.P. Nos. 2 to 5.
7. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the impugned order passed by learned Sessions Court is not sustainable in the eye of law. To substantiate his submission, he further submits that learned Sessions Court has wrongly held that O.P. Nos. 2 to 5, who are legal heirs of first party before learned S.D.M., are in possession of the subject property. As a matter of fact, it is the petitioners who have title to the property as they have got this property in execution of a decree and they are also in possession of the sam
Ashok Kumar vs. State of Uttarakhand, (2013) 3 SCC 366 (ii) Sharad Yadav @ Gappu vs. State of U.P.
Shanti Kumar Panda vs. Shakuntala Devi
Prakash Chand Sachdeva vs. P.R.
Executive Magistrates cannot initiate proceedings under Section 145 Cr.PC if a civil suit related to the same property is ongoing, as it encroaches on civil jurisdiction without established emergency....
(1) Apprehension of breach of peace – Sections 145 and 146 of Cr.P.C. together constitute a scheme for resolution of a situation where there is a likelihood of a breach of peace because of a dispute ....
The ingredients necessary for passing an order under Section 145 (1) of the Code would not automatically attract for the attachment of the property. Under Section 146, a Magistrate has to satisfy him....
Point of Law : Section 145 of Code concerned with restoration of possession and prevention of breach of peace and tranquillity.
The main legal point established in the judgment is that the jurisdiction under Section 147 Cr.P.C. is intended to maintain public order and peace, and the orders passed by the Executive Magistrate a....
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