The main legal point established in the judgment is that the jurisdiction of the order under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is essential for the compliance of the petitioners with the said order, and the absence of jurisdiction renders the proceedings under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code invalid.

1. This petition under Section 561-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure prays for the quashing of proceedings for the trial of the petitioners under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code.

2. An order was issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure requiring the petitioners to present themselves at Police Station Chhota Simla. District Simla, on October 1, 1973 in connection with the investigation of a case. The order was served on them at New Delhi on September 28, 1973. The petitioners were unable to attend at the Police Station in compliance with the order. Consequently a challan was entered by the Assistant Public Prosecutor in the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. Simla against the petitioners in respect of an offence under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code. Summons were issued to the petitioners and the case against them is pending before the said Chief Judicial Magistrate. The petitioners assail the validity of those proceedings.

3. It is evident that the petition must succeed. Clearly the petitioners are not guilty of any non-compliance with the orders issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Section 160 empowers a police officer making an investigation to require the attendance before himself of any person "being within the limits of his own or any adjoining station" who, from the information given or otherwise appears to be acquainted with the circumstances of the case and Section 160 adds, such person must attend as so required. From the record of the present case it is apparent that when the orders under S.160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were issued the petitioners were not within the limits of the police Station of the police officer issuing the order nor of any adjoining station. The address of the petitioners mentioned in the order indicates that they were present at New Delhi. There is no evidence whatever to show that they were in Simla at all. Ex-facie, the order under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is without jurisdiction. The order did not proceed from a public servant legally competent as such public servant to issue it. Accordingly no offence can be said to have been committed within the purview of Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code.

4. The petition is allowed. The proceedings pending against the petitioners before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Simla are quashed. Petition allowed