2008 CRI. L. J. 2333
SHIV NARAYAN DHINGRA, J.
Keshav Kumar
Versus
State and Ors.
W.P. (Crl.) No. 2448 of 2006
Decided On:- 25 -2 -2008.
ILLEGAL DETENTION - POLICE ATROCITIES - S. 107/151, Cr. P.C. - Arts. 14, 21, 22 of the Constitution of India - The court discussed the illegal detention of the petitioner by the police officials invoking S. 107/151, Cr. P.C. based on a false complaint. The court highlighted the unlawful actions of the police officials and the need for proper application of mind by the authorities in such cases.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, a businessman, was illegally detained by the police at the instance of a known bad character of the area, based on a false complaint. He was threatened and coerced to withdraw his complaints and court case, and was sent to judicial custody without proper justification.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the proceedings against the petitioner were unlawful and illegal, and ordered the quashing of the proceedings under S. 107/151, Cr. P.C. The court also directed the payment of compensation to the petitioner and initiation of departmental proceedings against the erring police officials.
Issues: The key issues involved the illegal detention of the petitioner, abuse of power by the police officials, and the violation of the petitioner's rights.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the police officials acted in gross contravention of law and were in league with the area criminals. It emphasized the need for proper application of mind by the authorities and the protection of the life and liberty of innocent persons.
Final Decision: The petition of the petitioner was allowed, the proceedings under S. 107/151, Cr. P.C. were quashed, and the respondents were directed to pay compensation and initiate departmental proceedings. The petitioner was also granted the liberty to claim appropriate compensation under law.
2. Petitioner has stated that he was a businessman and living at Flat No. C-48, Karampura, Moti Nagar, New Delhi at first floor. Respondent No. 5, Ashok Kumar Munna was a known bad character of the area of Police Station Moti Nagar. He contested the elections for the area Councilor and MLA. He was agent of local leaders and local police in illegal recovery of money from the traders and innocent people. He flourished under the patronage of local leaders and police and also was indulging in grabbing and encroaching public land. He alleged that respondent No. 5 made unauthorised encroachment covering open public place towards rear portion of the flat and raised a construction upto the second floor, in this process, he closed the window/ventilation of petitioner's only toilet-cum-bathroom. Against this illegal action, petitioner had made complaints to MCD and also filed a Civil Suit No. 471/04 seeking demolition of the unauthorised construction and his right to ventilation. The civil suit was still pending. He submitted that on 16th July, 2006 at the instance of respondent No. 5 he was taken to Police Station and put behind bars. He was threatened by respondent No. 2, Sub-Inspector, Sudesh Ranga that unless he withdraws his complaints against Ashok Kumar Munna and expresses sorry to him and also withdraws his Court case, he would not be let off and would be harassed like that. On 16th July, 2006 he was not allowed to go home and kept illegally in Police Station. On 17th July, 2006, when respectable persons of the area went to the Police Station to give surety for the petitioner, they were threatened by SI Sudesh Ranga and Ashok Kumar Munna, who told that he would ensure that the petitioner was not bailed out for a week. Petitioner was produced before ACP (SEM) and was sent to Tihar Jail on 17th July, 2006. The ACP did not listen to the requests and pleas of the petitioner or his Advocate or other persons of the locality, who had come to stand surety to him. His surety was not accepted and he was sent to judicial custody. He was released from the Tihar Jail in the evening of 18th July, 2006. It is stated that later on petitioner obtained certified copies of the Kalandra proceedings against him, he found that proceedings under S. 107/151, Cr. P.C. were initiated against him at the instance of Ashok Kumar Munna, who had been threatening him earlier and the petitioner had made complaints against him to police several times.
3. According to the status report filed by the police, the stand of the police is that on 16th July, 2006, a complaint was lodged at the Police Station by Ashok Kumar Munna. On receiving this complaint, Sudesh Ranga, SI (respondent No. 2) went to the house of petitioner and on seeing police, petitioner started abusing respondent No. 5 and stated in the fit of rage that he would not get the toilet repaired and started shouting. As there was every apprehension of commission of some cognizable offence, petitioner was arrested u/S. 107/151, Cr. P.C. It would be worthwhile to reproduce the complaint of Ashok Kumar Munna (respondent No. 5) on the basis of which proceedings were initiated against the petitioner. The complaint is without date. There is no stamp of receipt of it at Police Station. The complaint is addressed to SHO PS. Moti Nagar and reads as under :
t is prayed that I, Ashok Kumar Munna s/o Late Shri Har Sahai, I am resident of C-43 Karam Pura. My neighbour is Keshav Kumar s/o Shri Narayan Singh from whose toilet water always seeps into our house. Due to this, the entire wall has become damp a
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