Dama Seshadri Naidu, J.

Introduction:

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

Whose wickedness is it any way? We shall see.

1. A Diocese, a district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church, combines its spiritual and secular affairs. It decides to sell some of its property. Authorised, a couple of office bearers sells the property, but faces allegations of misappropriation. A few members of the congregation complain: at least four of them approach either the police or the court. Acting on such complaint, a competent criminal court takes cognizance and decides to try the matter. But others persist with police complaints.

2. When the police allegedly refused to register a crime, they approached this Court. They contend that only police could unravel the crime. A learned Single Judge allows the Writ Petition; the police act on the judicial directive and register a crime. In the appeal, the aggrieved office bearers question that direction.

3. Can the impugned judgment be sustained? Do the complainants have any efficacious alternative remedies availa