IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR
Sudesh Bansal, J.
Banna son of Jujha and ors. - Petitioners
Versus
State of Rajasthan through Public Prosecutor and ors. – Respondents
S.B. Criminal Revision Petition No. 1040 of 2002
Decided On : 03-01-2024
Possession - Criminal Procedure Code - Section 145 - 146(1) - 397 - 401 - 145(4) - 145(6) - 145(10)
Fact of the Case:
A dispute arose over possession of agricultural lands in a village, leading to a complaint under Section 145 Cr.P.C. The Executive Magistrate, after considering evidence and material, declared possession in favor of party No.1. The decision was challenged and set aside by the Additional Sessions Judge, leading to the current revision petition.
Finding of the Court:
The Executive Magistrate correctly applied the law under Section 145 Cr.P.C. to determine possession, considering evidence and legal provisions. The Additional Sessions Judge exceeded jurisdiction by re-evaluating evidence and setting aside the decision. The judgment of the Executive Magistrate was restored, with the observation that parties can seek adjudication of their rights in the Civil Court.
Issues: Dispute over possession, correct application of Section 145 Cr.P.C., jurisdiction of the Revisional Court, legality of setting aside the Executive Magistrate's decision.
Ratio Decidendi: The Executive Magistrate correctly applied Section 145 Cr.P.C. to determine possession, and the Revisional Court exceeded its jurisdiction by re-evaluating evidence. The judgment of the Executive Magistrate was restored, with the observation that parties can seek adjudication of their rights in the Civil Court.
Final Decision: The impugned order of the Additional Sessions Judge was quashed and set aside, and the judgment of the Executive Magistrate was restored.
JUDGMENT :
1. This Criminal Revision Petition under Section 397 read with Section 401 Cr.P.C. has arisen out of a criminal complaint moved by the SHO Lamba Hari Singh, Tonk on 11.07.1989 under Section 145 Cr.P.C. before the Court of Additional Collector and Magistrate, Malpura, District Tonk (hereinafter referred to as “ACM”). It was pleaded in the present complaint, that a dispute has erupted between party No.1 and party No.2 in respect of claiming possession over agricultural lands in question situated at Village Sitarampura, Kantoli, Tehsil Malpura District Tonk, due to which there is possibility of breach of peace and tranquility. On receiving the complaint, after prima facie satisfaction about the likelihood to cause a breach of peace exists, due to dispute between two parties in respect of claiming rival and respective possession over lands in question, learned ACM passed preliminary order dated 11.07.1989 under Section 146(1) Cr.P.C., appointing Naib Tehsildar, Malpura as receiver to take lands in question in his possession. Both parties submitted their respective claims and reply, to establish their cultivation and possession over lands in question on 11.07.1989 and prior thereto. Learned ACM also allowed both parties to produce their respective evidence oral and documentary, in support of their respective claims to prove possession. Both parties adduced their evidence and thereafter having heard both parties and after appreciation of evidence and material came on record, learned ACM passed the final judgment dated 17.10.1997 whereby and whereunder possession of lands in question as on 11.07.1989, the date on which receiver Naib Tehsildar, Malpura took lands in question in his possession and two months prior thereto was declared to be of party No.1 (Jujha Meena, Onkar Meena etc.-present petitioners) and by the same judgment simultaneously the party No.2 (Harjinath Jogi and Bhuranath Jogi- non petitioners herein) was restrained not to hinder/obstruct in peaceful use and possession of lands in question by party No.1.
2. It is worthy to take note that after passing the final decision dated 17.10.1997, by the Court of ACM, in compliance thereof, receiver handed over the physical possession of lands in question to party No.1-petitioners herein on 22.10.1997. This factual aspect of delivering the physical possession of land in question by the Court receiver to the party No.1-petitioners has not been disputed by non-petitioners. It is an undisputed fact that since 22.10.1997, party No.1-petitioners has been in continuous possession of lands in question.
3. It appears that the judgment dated 17.10.1997, though implemented, yet was put to challenge by the party No.2- non-petitioners by way of filing criminal revision petition No.37/1997 before the Additional Sessions Judge, Malpura. The Revisional Court allowed the revision petition vide order dated 20.02.1999 and after quashing the judgment dated 17.10.1997, remanded the matter to the Court of ACM, Malpura to decide the same afresh. Against the order of Revisional Court dated 20.02.1999, party No.1-petitioners preferred criminal revision petition before the High Court, invoking powers under Section 397 read with Section 401 Cr.P.C. The High Court decided the revision petition vide order dated 28.07.1999 with observations that since matter has been remanded to the Court of ACM, therefore, the Court of ACM shall consider and decide the matter afresh, without being influenced by any findings/observations recorded by the Additional Sessions Judge, Malpura in its order dated 20.02.1999 and thus, the order of remand was upheld. Thereafter, the matter has been decided afresh by the ACM on merits vide judgment dated 03.05.2000. This time also, party No.1-petitioners succeeded in establishing their possession over lands in question and the issue of possession has been decided in their favour, with observations that possession had already been handed over to party No.1-petitioners by the C
Criminal proceedings under Sections 145 and 146 Cr.P.C cannot overrule ongoing civil litigation regarding property ownership, necessitating the maintenance of status quo in possession.
The Executive Magistrate's findings on possession under Section 145 Cr.P.C. are binding unless proven perverse, and jurisdiction over title disputes lies with civil courts.
The objective of Section 145 of Cr.P.C. is to maintain law and order by preserving possession, not to decide title or right to possession.
The judgment emphasizes the limited scope of enquiry under section 145 Cr.P.C., focusing on de-facto possession and the applicability of section 146(1) Cr.P.C. in cases of emergency or when the Magis....
Point of law: When a civil litigation is pending for the same property wherein the question of possession is involved and the parties are in a position to approach the civil court for interim orders ....
Courts must focus on possession and breach of peace under Section 145 Cr.P.C., and not decide title or right of possession. Proceedings under Section 145/146 Cr.P.C. must end if Civil Court is seized....
Bona-fide purchasers' rights cannot be disturbed by those without legal title, and possession must be established through valid documentation.
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