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1989 Supreme(Raj) 179

High Court Of Rajasthan
Judgename : Ashok Kumar Mathur
BABUDA - Appellant
Versus
STATE OF RAJASTHAN - Respondent
Cri. Misc. Petition 52 Of 1989
Decided On : 05/03/1989

Advocates Appeared:
Doongar Singh, M.L.Garg, S.K.MATHUR

Headnote:(i) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 200, 202 and 204 - Taking of cognizance by the Magistrate - The Magistrate, while issuing the process should show some application of mind by his order-It should not mean to suggest that the Magistrate should pass a detailed speaking order - But it is incumbent that they must refer to the gist of the statement recorded by them under Sections 200 and 202 of the Code - However, simply because the Magistrate has not looked into the police papers, the order cannot be quashed.

       Held: Section 204 says that if in the opinion of the Magistrate there is sufficient ground for taking cognizance of offence and then he can issue the process. That shows that at-least when the process is issued he should form an opinion and further satisfy that there exist sufficient ground for doing so. This should appear from the order that the learned Magistrate has formed the opinion on the basis of sufficient material. This should appear from bare reading of order. That will facilitate the superior courts that on what material the learned Magistrate has issued the process. After all when the process is issued and cognizance is taken and summons is issued the demode sword will hang over the head of the man against whom a cognizance is taken, therefore, he is entitled to know as to what has been weighed in the mind of the learned Magistrate so as to issue a process. It is not necessary for the Magistrate to write a detailed speaking order but at least it should appear that he has applied his mind for coming to the conclusion for issuing the process. Therefore, the expression "opinion" and sufficient ground" gives an indication that before issuing process the Magistrate should show that on what material he has issued the process. (Para 6)

       (ii) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 200, 202 and 204 - Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 147, 148, 324, 302/149 – Order taking cognizance under - Challenged - The Magistrate has not looked into the police report - By not looking into the police papers he has also issued process against dead persons – He has not applied his mind in a manner which he ought to have done - Order taking cognizance quashed - The Magistrate is directed to look into the matter in the light of the observation made. (Paras 8 & 9)

       Result: Petition allowed.

       

Judgment


A. K. MATHUR, J.

( 1 ) THOUGH the Magistrate while issuing the process should not pass a detailed speaking order. It is incumbent that he must refer to the gist of the statement recorded under Sections 200 and 202 Criminal Procedure Code and prima facie show that on this material there exist sufficient ground for taking cognizance. This is a petition under Section 482 Cr. P. C. by which the petitioner has challenged the order dated 4-1-1989 by which cognizance was taken against Prathapa Narsa, Babuda Thakaria, Sankalia, Bhagwana and Kallia under Sections 147, 148,324,302/149 I. P. C.

( 2 ) THE brief facts giving rise to this petition are that on June 6, 1986 a First Information Report No. 46/86 was filed by Panney Singh at Police Station, alleging that Prathapa has caused a knife blow 10 Gajendra and he has died as a result thereof. Thereafter a complaint was also filed by one Madan Singh and in that he alleged that apart from Prathapa number of persons responsible for causing death of Gajendra Singh. This complaint was also sent to the police for investigation under Section 156 (3 ). Meanwhile, it may also be relevant to mention there that one more F. I. R. No. 45/86 was filed by one Lachha Ram, alleging therein that murder of Prathap and Narsa had been committed by 12 accused persons. The police filed a final report on 14-11-1986 in relation to the F. I. R. No. 46/86 and a complaint filed by Madan Singh on November 14, 1986. Thereafter another complaint was filed by Panney Singh before the Magistrate and the learned Magistrate, after recording the statement under Sections 200 and 202, took the cognizance against the accused by his order dated 4-1-1989. Against this order, the present application under Section 482 Cr. P. C. has been filed by accused persons, for quashing the same.

( 3 ) GARG, learned counsel for the accused-petitioners has submitted that a bare reading of the order would show that the learned Magistrate has not looked into the police papers by which a final report was given by the police, against the accused persons and the Magistrate has also not given the gist of ihe witnesses recorded under Sections 200 and 202 Cr. P. C. Learned Counsel submits that it was incumbent for the learned magistrate to have looked into the police papers as well as the statement and, thereafter, he should have passed proper order showing the application of mind. In support of his contention learned counsel invited my attention to Jagdish Ram v. State of Rajasthan. As against this, Mr. Doongar Singh, learned counsel for the respondent has strenuously urged before me that taking of the cognizance by the Magistrate, should not be interferred under Section 482 Cr. P. C. as the accused will have proper opportunity to defend himself before the Magistrate,learned counsel invited my attention to Kachheru Singh v. State of Utter Pradesh and another, Gopal Vijay Verma v. Bhuneshwar Prasad Singh and others, H. S. Bains v. State and Nagawwa v. Veeranna, learned counsel submitted that it is not necessary for the Magistrate to look into the police papers before taking the cognizance.

( 4 ) I have heard both the learned counsel at length and have perused the record placed before me. In H. S. Bains v. State (supra) their Lordships have observed that under various provisions he can take cognizance against the accused. It has been observed that there are various modes open for the Magistrate he can take the cognizance under Section 156 (3) on the Police Papers, he can take cognizance even on the final report by police, he can take cognizance, after recording statement under Sections 200, 202 and 204. In para 6 of the aforesaid judgment it has been observed as under:

( 5 ) IT is seen from the provisions to which we have referred in the preceding paragraphs that on receipt of a complaint a magistrate has several courses open to him. He may take cognizance of the offence and proceed to record the statements of the complainant and the witne











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