GAUHATI HIGH COURT
R.K.Manisana Singh, J.
Indrapuri Primary Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. -Appellant
Versus
Bhabani Gogoi -Respondent
Criminal Revision No. 543 of 1989
Decided On : 01-08-1990
CRIMINAL REVISION - SECTION 397(2), CR.P.C. - INTERLOCUTORY ORDER - PRELIMINARY ORDER UNDER SECTION 145(1), CR.P.C. - ORDER OF ATTACHMENT UNDER SECTION 146(1), CR.P.C. - MAINTAINABILITY OF REVISION - SCOPE OF SECTION 482, CR.P.C. AND ARTICLE 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner challenged the orders of the Sessions Judge, Dibrugarh, staying the operation of the Magistrate's order of attachment of the subject of dispute under section 146(1), Cr.P.C. and admitting the revision petition against the Magistrate's preliminary order under section 145(1), Cr.P.C.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the preliminary order under section 145(1), Cr.P.C. is not an interlocutory order, while the order under section 146(1), Cr.P.C. is an interlocutory order within the purview of section 397(2), Cr.P.C. The court further held that it would not exercise its power under section 482, Cr.P.C. or Article 227 of the Constitution of India as the revision petition was pending before the Sessions Judge.
Issues: 1. Whether the preliminary order under section 145(1), Cr.P.C. is an interlocutory order? 2. Whether the order under section 146(1), Cr.P.C. is an interlocutory order? 3. Whether the High Court should exercise its power under section 482, Cr.P.C. or Article 227 of the Constitution of India when a revision petition is pending before the Sessions Judge?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. A preliminary order under section 145(1), Cr.P.C. is not an interlocutory order as it is the foundation upon which the jurisdiction of the Magistrate to proceed under section 145, Cr.P.C. is based. 2. An order under section 146(1), Cr.P.C. is an interlocutory order within the purview of section 397(2), Cr.P.C. as it is a discretionary order that can be revoked at any time and is a step in the procedure. 3. The High Court should not generally exercise its power under section 482, Cr.P.C. or Article 227 of the Constitution of India when a revision petition is pending before the Sessions Judge, as there is an alternative and proper forum for remedy.
Final Decision: The court partly allowed the petition and disposed of the matter by sending the case back to the Sessions Judge for disposal of the revision petition as early as possible.
2. On 23.10.89, the Executive "magistrate, Dibrugarh in Case No. 241 of 1989 (renewed as 334 of 1989) passed preliminary order under section 145 (I), Cr.P.C. as well as order of attachment of the subject of dispute under section 146(1) Cr. P.C, Being aggrieved by the order of the Magistrate, the second parry Bhabani Gogoi filed Criminal Revision No. 88(1)89. The learned Sessions Judge, Dibrugarh by an order dated 30 10.89 admitted tie revision position and fixed 3.11.89 for hearing on stay matter. On 3.11.89, the In-charge Sessions Judge stayed the operation of the order dated 23.10.89 of the Magistrate in respect of the order of attachment of the subject of dispute. Hence this petition by the first party.
3. Mr. C. Bjruah, the iearnel counsel for the petitioner has contended that orders passed under sections !45 (1) and 146 (1;, Cr.P.C are an interlocutory order and, therefore, the revision is not maintainable under section 397 (2), Cr.P.C.
4. As regards the order under section 145 (1), the learned counsel has contended that the proceedings under section 145, Cr.P.C. deal only with the factum of possession of the parties as on the date of the preliminary order passed under section 145 (1), Cr .P.C. It confers no title to remain in possession of the disputed property. The order is subject to the decision of the civil Court. The unsuccessful party therefore can get relief in the civil Court as the declaration of the possession of one of the parties in the proceeding is until he is evicted therefrom in due course of law.
5. In respect of the order made under section 146 (1), Cr.P.C, the learned counsel has submitted that an order made under section 146 (1) is inherently temporary in nature as the order may he withdrawn at any time by the Magistrate if he is satisfied that there is no longer any likelihood of breach of the peace with regard to the subject of dispute. The learned counsel has further contended that an order under section 146 (1), Cr.P.C. is nothing but a step-in-aid in the pending proceeding under section 145, Cr.P.C. Therefore, the order is neither final nor quasi final. In support of his contention, reliance has been placed on the Following decisions of different High Courts-Premlata vs. Ram Lubhaya, 1978 Cri LJ 1822 (SB); Brija Lal Chakoo vs. Abdul Ahad Nishati, 1980 Cri LJ 89 (FB); Kartar Singh vs. Pritam Kanr, 1984 Cri LJ 248 (DB); Sishu vs. State of Haryana, 1982 Cri LJ 124 (SB); Bachan Mahto vs. State of Bihar, 1988 Cri LJ 1426 (DB).
6. The expression "interlocutory order" has not been defined in the Code. The question then is, What is the meaning of an 'interlocutory order'?
7. This Court in Trihib Sarma vs. State of Assam, (1985) 2 GLR 229 (FB), has, after referring to various dictionaries and decisions mentioned in the judgment, held :
"From the above definition the general characteristics of an interlocutory order can be seen. We start from the commencement or inception of an action, on one end and the final judgment or determination of the action on other end. In between those two ends numerous types of orders are passed, some on oral or simple prayers and some on interlocutory applications or proceedings. These orders do not finally determine the action. Some of the orders may finally determine the interlocutory applications or proceedings and are final in so far as those interlocutory applications or proceedings and the rights involved therein are concerned. But those will be interlocutory orders vis-a-vis the main action is concerned. Some intermediate orders are passed otherwise than in any such interlocutory applications or proceedings Generally speaking, all these orders will be treated as interlocutory orders. None of these orders will finally determine the action and the disputed right. AH those orders passed in between the commencement and the final decision or d
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