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2022 Supreme(Raj) 2277

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR
Narendra Singh Dhaddha, J.
Sudhir Kumar Kukar – Appellant
Versus
State Of Rajasthan & Ors. – Respondents
S.B. Criminal Writ Petition No. 1352/2021
Decided On : 20-09-2022

Advocates appeared:
Mr. Prakul Khurana, Adv. on behalf of Mr. Sanjay Jhanwar, Advocate., for the Petitioner
Mr. Yashwant Kankhedia, PP Mr. Shobit Tiwari, Mr. Rohit Tiwari & Mr. Pushpendra Singh Tanwar Mr. Ram Mohan Sharma, Mr. Srijan Tiwari, Mr. Maninder Singh Solanki on behalf of Mr. Suresh Kumar Sahni, Advocates., for the Respondent

The main legal point established in the judgment is that cognizance cannot be taken against a party who was not involved in the original complaint and against whom no order was passed by the consumer forum.

Headnote:

Criminal Writ Petition - Consumer Protection Act - The State Commission wrongly took cognizance against the petitioner under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as the petitioner was not a party in the original complaint and no order was passed against the petitioner by the State Consumer Forum.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner filed a Criminal Writ Petition to quash the orders dated 12.04.2021 and 21.12.2020 made by the State Consumer Forum. The petitioner argued that he was not made a party in the original complaint and no order was passed against him by the State Consumer Forum.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the State Commission wrongly took cognizance against the petitioner, as he was not a party in the original complaint and no order was passed against him by the State Consumer Forum. Therefore, the court allowed the Criminal Writ Petition and set aside the orders of the State Consumer Forum dated 12.04.2021 and 21.12.2020.

Issues: The issues revolved around the petitioner's absence as a party in the original complaint, the lack of any order against the petitioner by the State Consumer Forum, and the wrongful cognizance taken against the petitioner under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the fact that the petitioner was not a party in the original complaint and no order was passed against him by the State Consumer Forum, leading to the wrongful cognizance taken against him.

Final Decision: The Criminal Writ Petition was allowed, and the orders of the State Consumer Forum dated 12.04.2021 and 21.12.2020 were set aside qua the petitioner.

JUDGMENT

1. This Criminal Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Rule 315-H of Rajasthan High Court Rule for quashing the orders dated 12.04.2021 as well as order dated 21.12.2020 qua the petitioner.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that respondent No.2 had filed a complaint against Divya Ashirwad Pvt. Ltd. before learned State Commission. In the said complaint, petitioner and petitioner's company Indo Crystal Pvt. Ltd. was not made a party. In complaint, no order was passed against the petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that by filing the execution application before the State Commission, respondent No.2 had not given any notice to the petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that respondent No.2 had not preferred any execution application under Section 71. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that application filed by respondent No.2 under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for non-compliance of the order dated 08.01.2019. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that a very first time, petitioner was arrayed as a party (accused). Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that State Commission without application of mind mechanically took cognizance against the petitioner. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that petitioner had filed a review application but State Consumer dismissed the review application filed by the petitioner vide order dated 12.04.2021 holding that same was not maintainable. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that cognizance order under Section 72 cannot be challenged in appeal because only a final order can be challenged before National Consumer Forum. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that no appeal is lies against the cognizance order as well as dismissal order of the review application. So, orders on 21.12.2020 and 12.04.2021 qua the petitioner be quashed.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has relied upon the following judgments : (1) Appeal Execution No.69/2018 in Ravikant G. Salaskar v. Kirit Shah & Ors. decided on 16.04.2018 and (2) Appeal Execution No.104/2021 in Subrata Roy v. Rajesh Chanana decided on 22.12.2021.

4. Learned counsel for the respondent No.2 has opposed the arguments advanced by learned counsel for the respondent and submitted that Section 73 of the Act does not distinguish between the interim order and final order. So, present petition is not maintainable and petitioner has only remedy to file the appeal before National Consumer Forum. Learned counsel for the respondent also submitted that review application filed by the petitioner was rightly dismissed, so, petitioner had only remedy to file the appeal before National Commission. Learned counsel for the respondent also submitted that while dismissing the application filed by the petitioner, State Forum in its order dated 12.04.2021 clearly stated that allegation against the petitioner is matter of trial, so, at this stage, no comment is advisable. Learned counsel for the respondent also submitted that petitioner is owner of the plot and he had entered into an agreement with M/s Divya Aashirwad Properties Private Limited and he has shared of 55%. So, he is also equally responsible for obeying the order of State Consumer Forum. So, petition be dismissed.

5. Learned counsel for the respondent has relied upon the following judgments : (1) CWP No.9079/2020 in Pranav Ansal v. State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commisisioner, Punjab & Ors. decided on 13.08.2020; (2) S.L.P (C) Nos.24228-24229 of 2012 (CC Nos.12891-12892 of 2012) Cicily Kallarackal v. Vehicle Factory decided on 06.08.2012 and (3) Civil Appeal No.2674/2007 (Arising out of SLP (Civil) No.17016/2006) in Yallwwa & Ors. v. National Insurance Co. Ltd. & Ors. decided on 16.05.2007.

6. I have considered the arguments advanced by learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned couns

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