IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
RAKESH MOHAN PANDEY, J.
Rashmi Dahire W/o Dr. K.K. Dahire – Petitioner
Versus
Anil Kumar Khunte S/o Dhaniram Khunte – Respondent
C.R.M.P. No. 830 of 2021
Decided On : 01-08-2023
Indian Penal Code,1860 - Section 304-A - Criminal Procedure Code,1973 - Section 200 - Offence of Causing death by negligence - Challenged the order - Whether the petitioner was discharging her official duty so as to attract the provisions of Section 197 of Cr.P.C - Held, it is quiet vivid that the on fateful day petitioner did not attend her call of duty despite repeated requests, for it, she can, at most, be liable for dereliction of duty however she cannot be prosecuted for culpable negligence - Stand of counsel for respondent No. 1 that ‘patient must not be neglected’ is correct, however as observed above petitioner at most can be held liable for dereliction of duty - Court is of considered view that continuation of proceedings against the petitioner would be clear abuse of process of law -Taking into consideration law laid down in above discussed authoritative pronouncements, material available on record and allegations made against petitioner - Petition is allowed.
ORDER :
1. The petitioner has challenged the order dated 06.08.2021 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Janjgir Champa, C.G. in Criminal Revision No. 37/2020 whereby the order dated 20.11.2019 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Pamgarh, District Janjgir Champa, C.G. in Complaint Case No. 914/2019 has been affirmed and the revision preferred by the petitioner has been dismissed.
2. The facts giving rise to the present petition are that a complaint case under Section 200 of the CrP.C. alleging therein commission of offence punishable under Section 304-A of IPC was filed by the respondent No. 1 against the petitioner, who was posted as Doctor at Community Health Centre, Pamgarh inter-alia on the ground that on 05.12.2014, Smt. Sundariya Bai, Wife of Durgesh Ratnakar was brought to the Community Health Centre, Pamgarh, who was undergoing labour pain. After examining her, Sundariya Bai was hospitalized at about 4 PM by the petitioner on the same day, thereafter, the petitioner left for her home. At about 9 PM on the same day, Sundariya Bai felt extreme labour pain therefore, the petitioner was called by the family members of Sundariya Bai however she refused to attend her call of duty. At about 12 AM and at 3 AM on intervening night of 05-06.12.2014 the petitioner was again called by Sundariya Bai’s family members then also she didn’t turn up. Later on, the delivery was conducted under the supervision of nurses present in the hospital which led to excessive bleeding to Sundariya Bai and consequently, the baby was declared stillborn at birth. At about 4 AM, the petitioner was again requested to attend the patient, however, after 15 minutes she came and declared Sundariya Bai and the baby dead. It was further alleged that the petitioner was negligent towards her duty which led to death of Sundariya Bai and the stillborn baby. A written complaint in this regard was made to the Police Station - Pamgarh on 07.12.2014 however it went in vain. Thereafter on 20.02.2015 the Sub Divisional Officer, Pamgarh, District Janjgir-Chmpa, CG submitted the Magisterial Inquiry report where the petitioner was found negligent towards discharge of duty. On such complaint, the statement of witnesses was recorded and thereafter, learned trial Court took cognizance of the offence on 20.11.2019 and registered the Complaint Case No. 914 of 2019 for commission of offence punishable under Section 304-A of the IPC against the petitioner and fixed the matter for her appearance.
3. The present petitioner preferred a Criminal Revision No. 37/2020 before the learned Sessions Court against the order of taking cognizance dated 20.11.2019 passed in Complaint Case No. 914 of 2019 but same was dismissed by the Revisional Court vide order dated 06.08.2021, which is under challenge before this Court.
4. Notably, it is worthy to mention here that the petitioner herein preferred a Complaint Case No. 75/2015 on 22.12.2014 against the respondent No. 1 alleging therein commission of offence punishable under Sections 186, 323 and Section 4 of Chhattisgarh Chikitsa Sevak tatha Chikitsa Seva Sansthan (Hinsa Tatha Sampatti Ki Kshati Ya Hani Ki Roktham) Adhiniyam 2010 on the premise that on 06.12.2014 at about 5:45 AM the respondent No. 1 obstructed the petitioner herein being the public servant in discharge of her official functions and also assaulted her resulting into injury. Vide order dated 25.02.2020 the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Pamgarh, District Janjgir Champa (C.G.) dismissed the Complaint Case filed by the petitioner and by extending benefit of doubt, acquitted the respondent No. 1 of the aforesaid offences.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that:
(i) The learned trial Court fell into error in not complying with the provisions of Section 197 of Cr.P.C. which specifically provides that no Court shall take cognizance of offence except with the prior sanction for prosecution granted by the competent authority in this regard. Sin
Amal Kumar Jha vs. State of Chhattisgarh
Devinder Singh and Others vs. State of Punjab through CBI
Devinder Singh vs. State of Punjab through CBI
D. Devaraja vs. Owais Sabeer Hussain
Indra Devi vs. State of Rajasthan and Another
Indra Devi vs. State of Rajasthan
P. Arulswami vs. State of Madras
State of Maharashtra vs. Budhikota Subbarao
Shreekantiah Ramayya Munipalli vs. State of Bombay
State of Orissa through Kumar Raghvendra Singh vs. Ganesh Chandra Jew
SupremeToday
Point of law: Question of sanction for prosecution under S.197, Cr.P.C can be raised and considered at any stage of the proceedings.
Protection under Section 197 Cr.PC is essential for public servants to prevent frivolous prosecutions arising from actions taken in the course of official duties.
Crucial importance is lack of sanction under Section 197 Cr.P.C. As per Section 197 Cr.P.C. it is mandatory for the court to obtain prior sanction from the Government for taking cognizance in respect....
The court emphasized that the necessity for prior sanction under Section 197 Cr.P.C. must be evaluated in the context of the trial, and allegations of misconduct by public servants do not automatical....
Sanction under Section 197 of the Cr.P.C. is mandatory for prosecuting public servants for actions taken while performing official duties, preventing misuse of legal proceedings.
The court emphasized that the requirement for sanction under Section 197 of Cr.P.C. is a matter to be determined at trial, and inherent powers under Section 482 cannot quash proceedings based solely ....
Protection under Section 197 of Cr.P.C. applies to public servants for acts done in discharge of official duties, barring prosecution without prior sanction.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.