1987 Supreme(Raj) 439
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT AT JAIPUR BENCH
Inder Sen Israni, J.
Moola S/O Juntha And Ors. - Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan - Respondent
Cr. Rev. Petition No. 284 of 1986.
Decided On : 27-01-1987
For the Petitioner:N.L. Tibrewal and Jagdeep Dhankar, Advocates.
For the Respondent:N.A. Naqvi, Advocate.
The SDM has the power to withdraw the attachment of property under Section 146(1) CrPC if he is satisfied that there is no longer any likelihood of breach of peace.
Headnote:
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE - SECTION 145, 146 - ATTACHMENT OF PROPERTY - WITHDRAWAL - POWER OF SDM - INTERPRETATION - COURT'S DIRECTION TO COMPLETE PROCEEDINGS WITHIN 3 MONTHS.
Fact of the Case:
A criminal revision petition was filed against the order of the SDM, Sikar, in a proceeding under Section 145 CrPC, which was initiated in 1979. The dispute was over the possession of agricultural land, and the parties had been fighting litigation at various stages. The SDM had attached the property in dispute, but later released it from attachment and handed over possession to the non-petitioners.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the SDM had the power to withdraw the attachment under the proviso to Sub-section (i) of Section 146 CrPC if he was satisfied that there was no longer any likelihood of breach of peace with regard to the subject of dispute. The court also held that it was not necessary to record evidence before passing an order withdrawing the attachment.
Issues: 1. Whether the SDM had the power to withdraw the attachment of the property in dispute. 2. Whether it was necessary to record evidence before passing an order withdrawing the attachment.
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the provisions of Section 146(1) CrPC and the decision of the Rajasthan High Court in Abdul Aziz v. Abdul Hakim and Ors. (1981 Cr. L.R. (Raj.) Page 162) to hold that the SDM had the power to withdraw the attachment if he was satisfied that there was no longer any likelihood of breach of peace. The court also held that it was not necessary to record evidence before passing an order withdrawing the attachment.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the revision petition and directed the SDM to complete the proceedings under Section 145 CrPC within a period of 3 months.
JUDGMENT
1. - This is a criminal revision petition filed under Section 397/401 Criminal Procedure Code against the order dated October 9, 1986 passed by the learned SDM, Sikar, in Cr. Case No. 8/86.
2. The proceedings under Section 145 Criminal Procedure Code were initiated as early as 1979 and it is unfortunate that since then the proceedings have not yet come to an end and in between the parties have been fighting litigation at various stages and have approached this court also. Both the parties are fighting for possession of the disputed agricultural land and have put up their claims in the proceedings pending under Section 145 Cr. P.C. in the court of learned Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sikar.
3. The last order passed by this court was on 11-8-1986 in S.B, Criminal Petition No. 406/86, by which this court directed that the properly in dispute should have been attached in accordance with the order of this court dated January 6, 1986 passed in S.B. Cr. Rev. Pet. No. 164/85 as there was imminent danger of breach of peace. However, the learned SDM vacated the attachment order and this court vide its order dated 18-8 86 set aside the order of SDM, and directed him to report compliance which was done and possession was taken by the receiver.
3. The grievance of learned Counsel Mr. N.L. Tibrewal appearing on behalf of the petitioners is that the SDM, inspite of the order of this court dated 18-8-1986 by which the learned SDM was directed not to release the property from attachment and appoint reciver, again the SDM has released the property from the attachment and handed over possession to the non-petitioners which was against the spirit of the order of this court dated 18-8-1986. Learned Counsel has also contended that even though both the parties were heard before passing the impugned order it was necessary to have recorded the evidence before reaching any conclusion on this point.
4. Learned Counsel Mr. N.A. Naqvi appearing for the respondents has on the other hand urged that the learned SDM has committed no illegality in passing the impugned order, which is legal & valid in all respects. His contention is that in fact the impugned order has been passed in compliance with the order of this court dated 18-8-1986. He points out that this court in the above order had made clear that "under the provisions to Sub-section (i) of Section 146 Cr. P.C. it is within the powers of SDM to withdraw the attachment at any time, if he is satisfied that there is no longer any likelihood of breach of peace with regard to the subject of dispute". It is also pointed out that this court in its above order had in fact directed the SDM to dispose of the proceedings as soon as possible, but not later than four months in any case. Learned Counsel has pointed out that before passing the impugned order the SDM vide his order dated 12-9-1986 called for report of the Tehsildar and this report was produced by the Tehsildar on 15-9-1986 who went along with the Patwari. According to this report, the crop was standing & the non-petitioners, have been reported to be in possession. As per the report dated 7-10-1986, the standing crop on the disputed land was auctioned by Tehsildar for Rs. 7100/- to Gyarsi one of the non-petitioners. This report was also given to the Patwari. The objections raised for withdrawal of the attachment by the petitioners were also heard and decided by the SDM vide his order dated 9-10-1986 and the attachment was withdrawn and possession was ordered to be officially given as per the rules to the persons from whom the possession was taken. Thereafter on 18-10-1986 the possession along with standing crop was handed over to the non-petitioner. Learned Counsel for the non petitioners has, therefore, pointed out that this court vide its order dated 18-8-1986 had itself observed that the SDM was empowered to withdraw the attachment at anytime under proviso to Sub-section (i) of Section 146 Criminal Procedure Code if he is satisfied that there is
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