IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA
Chander Bhusan Barowalia, J.
Brij Kishore Chauhan - Petitioner
Versus
State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors. - Respondents
Cr.MMO No. 100 of 2017
Decided On : 10-01-2018
Section 482 - Criminal Procedure Code - Article 227 - Indian Penal Code, Section 420 - IT Act, Section 66D
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner filed a petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Article 227 of the Constitution of India, seeking an inquiry and investigation into a case of cheating and fraud under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66D of the IT Act. The petitioner alleged that he was deceived into depositing a large sum of money by individuals from the United Kingdom and Delhi.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the investigation conducted by the local police was inadequate and that the accused individuals were evading capture. It ordered the matter to be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the interest of justice.
Issues: The issues revolved around the adequacy of the investigation conducted by the local police and the need for a more competent authority to handle the case due to its national and international implications.
Ratio Decidendi: The court decided that in the interest of justice, the matter should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, given the national and international nature of the crime and the evasive tactics of the accused.
Final Decision: The petition was disposed of, and the court ordered the investigation to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for further action.
Chander Bhusan Barowalia, J.
The present petition is maintained by the petitioner under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter to be called as “the Code”) read with Article 227 of the Constitution of India, directing respondents No.2 and 3 to conduct inquiry/investigation, in Case FIR No. 63/2012, dated 31.5.2012, under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66D IT Act, registered at Police Station, Dehra, District Kangra, H.P and arrest the accused, namely, Frank Albert, D.G.M, Scotland Bank, United Kingdom and William and others, for committing cheating and fraud.
2. Briefly stating the facts, giving rise to the present petition are that the petitioner purchased Mobile Sim, in which, petitioner received email from Air Vice Courier Express U.K, on 11.8.2011, on Mobile No. 9418192488, that he won price in T. Mobile Company of Rs. 1,000,00,00/- (One Million British Ponds) and ICICI Pro Cricket Mobile Award of Five Million G.B. Ponds. As per the petitioner, one person i.e. Frank Albert D.G.M. Scotland Bank, U.K, whose Mobile No. 00449719156168 and his representative William, whose Mobile No. 095512018, talked the petitioner, so many times and insisted him to deposit money in the shape of service charges in different bank account. The petitioner deposited huge amount of rupees five lacs approximately. It is further averred that accused persons, namely, Frank Albert, has committed cheating and fraud for obtaining rupees five lacs, who is residing in Delhi. The petitioner tried to contact personally, but unable to meet them. The accused persons are very clever and cheated many persons. They also sent the petitioner ATM Master Gold Card having No. 5133900484636538, but they have not sent Pin Code number to operate the ATM Master Gold Card. Accused Frank Albert, gave a telephonic call on the mobile of the petitioner and asked him send Rs. 48,000/- in Zothan Puia’s A/c No. 20167835690, State Bank of India, Branch Janakpuri, Delhi. On 11.9.2013, accused again told the petitioner, send Rs. 47,000/- in State Bank of India Account bearing No. 20137214055, in the name of Atoko Zimo and the petitioner again deposited the said amount in different Bank account, but inspite of this, no money has been received and further, accused demanded more money Rs. 65,000/- and told the petitioner to deposit in Account No. 20137215638 of Mr. Kai Khomao. After registration of FIR, against the accused, nothing has been done, thereafter, the police file sent to Superintendent of Police, Kangra at Dharamshala, to get the matter investigated through the competent officer. Hence, the present petition.
3. Reply to the petition has been filed and submitted that after depositing nearly Rs. 80,000/- in various accounts, the petitioner realized that he has been cheated and lodged a complaint in Police Station, Dehra, District Kangra. Perusal of the record further revealed that even after registration of the case, the petitioner kept on depositing money in various accounts on the direction of suspects without informing the local police and further deposited around rupees 4.2 lakhs in various accounts. The State Police after completing their investigation maintained untraced report before the learned Court below, which was rejected, vide its order dated 20.2.2016 and send the file to Superintendent of Police, Kangra, with a direction to get the matter investigated through a competent officer.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner has argued that the investigation in this case could not be conducted in a fair manner, as the Investigating Officer is not in a position to nab the culprits, even when they were detected by the petitioner. He has further argued that as the present matter is an extra ordinary case, therefore, investigation in this case is required to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
5. Mr. Rajat Chauhan, learned Law Officer, for respondent No.1 has argued that the matter is investigat
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