1980 Supreme(Cal) 72
High Court Of Calcutta
M. K. MUKHERJEE
AFTAB AHMED - Appellant
Versus
KAILASHPATI DALMIA - Respondent
Cr. Rev. Case No. 151 of 1980
Decided On : 03/10/1980
A.GOSWAMY, A.K.SEN GUPTA, B.K.BOSE, B.MITRA, D.K.DUTTA, R.K.DUTTA, S.D.BANERJEE, S.K.RUDRA
A search warrant can only be issued under Section 93 of the Code of Criminal Procedure if the court is satisfied that the purpose of any enquiry, trial, or other proceeding would be served by a general search or inspection.
Headnote:
SEARCH WARRANT - ISSUANCE - CONDITIONS - SECTION 93 OF THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE - BEFORE ISSUING A SEARCH WARRANT UNDER SECTION 93 OF THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, THE COURT MUST CONSIDER WHETHER THE PURPOSE OF ANY ENQUIRY, TRIAL OR OTHER PROCEEDING WOULD BE SERVED BY A GENERAL SEARCH OR INSPECTION. THE ORDER OF THE COURT MUST RECORD SUCH SATISFACTION OR REASONS THEREFORE.
Fact of the Case:
The complainant alleged that the accused persons, after forming an unlawful assembly, trespassed into the premises No. 4, Ballygugne Park Road, Calcutta, which was in possession of the complainant, assaulted the inmates of the house, caused mischief to the properties lying therein, and committed theft of certain valuable properties. The complainant filed an application for issuing a search warrant for recovery of valuable ornaments, jewelleries, silver-utensils, valuable documents and papers, furniture, and other household articles lying in the said premises.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the order of the learned Magistrate for issuing the search warrant did not record any satisfaction or reasons therefore, as required under Section 93(1)(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court also found that the search warrant was prayed for in respect of valuable properties, and there was no reason to believe that such properties would be kept in the outhouse of the premises.
Issues: Whether the search warrant was issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that before issuing a search warrant under Section 93 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court must consider whether the purpose of any enquiry, trial, or other proceeding would be served by a general search or inspection. The order of the court must record such satisfaction or reasons therefore. In the instant case, the order of the learned Magistrate did not record any such satisfaction or reasons therefore, and hence, the order was illegal and without jurisdiction.
Final Decision: The court set aside the impugned order issuing the search warrant and made the Rule absolute.
( 1 ) ON February 5, 1980, Kailashpati Dalmia, the opposite party herein, filed a complaint before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Alipore, against Aftab Ahmed and others alleging commission of offences under sections 147, 148, 448, 341, 323, 324, 326, 325, 379, 380, 427 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. The material allegations of the complaint are that on February 3, 1980, the accused persons, after forming an unlawful assembly, trespassed into the premises No. 4, Ballygugne Park Road, Calcutta, which was in possession of the complainant, assaulted the inmates of the house, caused mischief to the properties lying therein and also committed theft of certain valuable properties. Along with the complaint an application was filed by the complainant for issuing a search warrant for recovery of valuable ornaments, jewelleries, silver-utensils, valuable documents and papers, furniture and other house hold articles lying in the said premises and to be identified by the complainant.
( 2 ) THE learned Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate took cognizance upon the said complaint and transferred the same case to the Court of the learned Judicial Magistrate, 6th Court, Alipore, under section 192 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enquiry and trial. The transferee court examined the complainant on solemn affirmation as also the four witnesses produced by him and perused certain documents produced by the complainant in support of his case. On being satisfied therefrom that a prima facie case was made out under sections 448, 323, 324, 427, and 380 of the Indian Penal Code he issued process against all the accused persons, including the petitioner. The learned Magistrate also considered the application filed by the complainant for issuing search warrant and allowed the same, directing the Deputy Commissioner, South, to execute the search warrant and further directing that if the properties were recovered the same may be kept in the custody of a third party until further orders. Aggrieved by the order issuing search warrant, the petitioner moved this court and obtained the present Rule.
( 3 ) MR. Dilip Kumar Dutt, the learned Advocate appearing for the petitioner, submitted that before issuing a search warrant under section 93 of the Code of Criminal Procedure it was incumbent on the part enquiry, trial or other proceeding would be served by a general search or inspection. According to Mr. Dutt in absence of such satisfaction and recording reasons for the same the order of the learned Magistrate issuing search warrant was illegal and without jurisdiction. In support of his contention Mr. Dutt relied upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of (1) V. S. Kuttan Pillai v. Ramakrishnan and another reported in A. I. R. 1980 S. C. 185. Mr. Sankardas Banerjee, the learned Advocate appearing for the complainant opposite party, on the other hand, contended that the materials on record clearly made out a case for issuing search warrant and no exception can be taken to the order passed by the learned Magistrate issuing search warrant. Mr. Banerjee submitted that besides the complainant four witnesses were examined on his behalf and their depositions prima facie go to indicate the commission of the offences by the accused and necessity of issuing the search warrant. At the time of hearing of this Rule Mr. Banerjee placed before me medical reports showing that some of the witnesses of the complainant sustained injuries in the incident which is the subject matter of the complainant.
( 4 ) HAVING gone through the materials on record and the impugned order of the learned Magistrate I find much substance in the contention of Mr. Dutt. The order of the learned Magistrate for issuing the search warrant reads as follows: - ?seen the petition praying for S. warrant. Heard. Considered. . . . . . The search warrant be issued in the name and designation of D. C. South for executing the same with the directions that if the