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2023 Supreme(Raj) 1880

IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN AT JAIPUR BENCH
Chandra Kumar Songara, J.
Hari Shanker Sharma - Accused-Petitioner
Versus
State of Rajasthan and Ors. - Respondents
S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 3532 of 2016
Decided On : 09-05-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. A.K. Gupta, Senior Advocate through Video-conferencing, Mr. Rinesh Gupta, Advocate, Mr. Saurabh Chauhan, Advocate, Ms. Savita Nathawat, Advocate, Mr. Anoop Meena, Advocate, Mr. Gaurav Sharma, Advocate.
For the Respondent: Mr. Rajesh Maharshi, A.A.G. & Mr. Mahendra Meena, Public Prosecutor.

Headnote:(A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 482 - Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 - Sections 8 and 9 - Petition seeks quashing of FIR and order taking cognizance against accused-petitioner for offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act - No allegations were made against the petitioner in the FIR nor was he named therein - The charge-sheet was filed without requisite sanction against the petitioner, who was not a public servant in the context of the provisions governing alleged misconduct - The Court found the trial court's cognizance erroneous, stating that sections 8 and 9 do not pertain to public servants. (Paras 2, 3, 10, 14, 16)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner was implicated in an FIR registered against 62 individuals without any accusation against him, and the sanction for prosecution was refused at multiple levels, culminating in a charge-sheet filed without proper authority.

Findings of Court:
The trial court erred by taking cognizance when no jurisdiction existed due to the lack of requisite sanction against the petitioner.

Issues: Whether cognizance under the P.C. Act is valid against an individual not named in the FIR and lacking necessary sanction for prosecution.

Ratio Decidendi: The court determined that the provisions of the P.C. Act did not apply to the petitioner as he was not a public servant under the relevant sections; thus, taking cognizance was an abuse of process.

Result: Petition allowed, FIR and order quashed.

Table of Content
1. factual background about the fir and lack of sanction. (Para 1 , 11 , 13)
2. arguments on the absence of charges against the petitioner. (Para 2 , 3 , 4 , 5)
3. court observations on sanction requirements. (Para 6 , 9 , 14)
4. judicial interpretations of sections 8 & 9 of the p.c. act. (Para 7 , 8 , 10 , 15)
5. final decision to quash fir against the petitioner. (Para 16)

ORDER :

Chandra Kumar Songara, J.

Instant petition under Section 482 r/w 483 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 has been preferred on behalf of the accused-petitioner with the prayer for quashing of impugned F.I.R. No.526/2013 dt.07.12.2013 registered at Police Station, Pradhan Aarakshi Kendra, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Rajasthan, Jaipur. It is further prayed that the impugned order dated 02.06.2016 passed by the Court of Special Judge, Sessions Court, Prevention of Corruption Act, No.2, Jaipur, in Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.42/2015, whereby, while rejecting the application filed by petitioner under Sections 227 & 239 r/w Section 245 of Cr.P.C., cognizance had been taken under Sections 8 & 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, be quashed & set aside.

2. It has been submitted by learned counsel appearing for the accused-petitioner that the registration of impugned F.I.R. against sixty-two named persons amounts to an abuse of process of the law, as no allegation has been levelled against the present petitioner and he was not even named as an accused in the said F.I.R. Counsel has further submitted that the charge-sheet dated 26.02.2014 was filed without obtaining sanction against the petitioner. The case of petitioner was put up for grant of sanction before Competent Authority and the said Authority, had refused to grant sanction vide its order dated 21.04.2014 (Annexure-3). The order of refusing sanction (Annexure-3) by Competent Authority was again examined & approved by the Joint Secretary (Police) vide its letter dated 01.09.2014 (Annexure-4). Further, the case of petitioner was put up before Commissioner, Chief Vigilance, who also approved for refusal of sanction, vide its order dated 23.06.2014 (Annexure-5).

3. Counsel appearing for the accused-petitioner has contended that the learned trial Court, while dismissing the application moved by petitioner under Sections 227 & 239 r/w Section 245 of Cr.P.C. has taken cognizance for offences under Sections 8 & 9 of the Act of 1988, vide its order dated 02.06.2016 (Annexure-6) against the petitioner, without considering the material available on record, which amounts to an abuse of process of law. It was argued before the learned trial Court that there is no evidence against the petitioner, in these circumstances, sanction was not granted against the petitioner. Counsel has further contended that the learned trial Court had observed that no sanction is required under Sections 8 & 9 of the Act, 1988, as these two provisions of the Act, 1988 are not related to the public servant. The word "whoever" used in these Sections, clearly indicates that the commission of offence is related to other person and not to the public servant. Thus, in these circumstances, taking cognizance against the petitioner under Sections 8 & 9 of the Act, 1988, amounts to an abuse of process of law. Lastly, counsel has prayed that the present petition be accepted and impugned F.I.R. be quashed & set-aside. The order dated 02.06.2016 passed by the Court of Special Judge, Sessions Court, Prevention of Corruption Act, No.2, Jaipur, whereby, while rejecting the application filed by petitioner under Sections 227 & 239 r/w Section 245 of Cr.P.C. and cognizance taken under Sections 8 & 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against the petitioner, be also quashed & set aside.

4. During the course of arguments, in support of his submissions, learned counsel appearing for the accused-petitioner, has placed reliance upon the following judgements :- (i) Chittaranjan Das v. State of Orrisa , AIR 2011 SC 2893 and (ii)

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