1987 Supreme(J&K) 37
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR AT SRINAGAR
R.P. Sethi, J.
Shiraz Cinema - Appellant
Versus
Srinagar Muncipal Council - Respondent
Petition No. 20/1982
Decided On : 24 April, 1987
Advocate For Appellant: B.K. Handoo
Advocate For Respondent: G.N. Hagroo
Headnote:Criminal Procedure Code-Sec. 133-Application seeking suspension of licence of the Proprietor of Cinema till the generator is removed in order to avoid nuisance to the residents of the area-Notice was issued to the petitioner-Application for quashing the proceedings- The said generator was alleged to be a nuisance to the respondent and his family members as their house was at a distance of 6 ft, from cinema-Whether the proceedings u/s 133 of the Code can be resorted to in these circumstances-(No) as the grievance made was a personal grievance and the nuisance complained of was a private one).
Held: Section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides for the remove of a public nuisance. The purpose and object of Section 133 Cr. P.C. is not intended to settle private disputes between two members of the public but is intended to protect the public as a whole against the alleged inconvenience. The proceedings under section 133 Cr. P.C. can be resorted to in the interests of the public and cannot be made a substitute for litigation in the civil courts in order to secure statement of private disputes, which no not affect the members of the public in general. If the alleged obstruction or nuisance exists on some private property resort cannot be had to the provisions of Section 133 Cr. P.C. Unless and until it is proved that the nuisance complained of was a public nuisance, the District Magistrate or any another magistrate contemplated by the provisions of section 133 Cr. P.C. does not get the jurisdiction to proceed with the case. Unless it is proved that the conduct of any trade or occupation was injurious to the health or physical comfort of the community no action can be initiated under section 133 Cr. P.C. It is not the personal comfort or the health of an individual, which is relevant for the purposes of initiating proceedings under section 133 Cr. P.C. but the health or physical comfort of the community at large should be alleged to be involved In the case of private nuisance the remedy available to the aggrieved party may be the remedy of a civil action but no proceedings under section 133 Cr. P.C. can be initiated. The District Magistrate while dealing with the alleged nuisance has the powers under sec. 133 Cr P.C. alone and in the -absence of the alleged inconvenience to the community he would not be justified in initialing or continuing the proceedings under that section. (Para 5)
Result: Petition Allowed.
2. The proceedings before the District Magistrate were challenged mainly on the ground that alleged nuisence was not a public nuisence within the meaning of section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which could warrant any action against the petitioners herein by the District Magistrate. The District Magisrtate after hearing the arguments of the learned counsel for the parties held that he had the jurisdiction to deal with the case irrespective of the fact whether the nuisance was public or private. He further ruled that the question of the maintainablity of the prodeedings was a question touching the merits of the case which can be decided at the conclusion of the proceedings Aggrieved by the order of the District Magistrate the present petition had been filed with the prayer for quashing those proceedings as the same are without jurisdiction.
3. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have the record of the District Magistrate.
Mr, Handoo the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has drawn my attention to the application of respondent No. 2 filed before the Administrator Srinagar Municipal council on the basis of which the proceedings were initiated. The respondent No. 2 submitted in the said application as under:-
1. "that the applicant is residing at Khanyar. just near the Shiraz Cinema.
2. That the said cinema is having a generator at a distance of 6 feet from my house.
3. That the said generator is the greatest nuisance to me and to the members of my family.
4 That my children are college and school students and have been facing great inconvenience in their studies by the constant loud noise of the generator."
4. A perusal of the application would clearly show that the grievance made by the respondent No. 2 was personal grievance and the nuisance complained of a private one. Section 133 of the criminal Procedure Code provides for the removal of a public nuisance. The purpose and object of Section 133 Cr P, C. is not intended to fettle private disputes between two members of the public but is intended to protect the public as a whole against the alleged inconvenience. The proceedings under section 133 Cr. P. C can be resorted to in the interests of the public and can not be made a substituted for litigation in the civil Courts in order to secure settlement of private disputes which do not affect the members of the public in general. If the alleged obstruction or nuisance exists on some private property resort can not be had to the provisions of Sec. 133 Cr. P. C. Unless and until it is proved that the nuisance complained of was a public nuisance, the District Magistrate or any another magistrate contemplated by the provisions of sectio