JHARKHAND HIGH COURT
R.R. PRASAD, J.
Smt. Malti Singh - Petitioner
Versus
State of Jharkhand & Anr. - Opp. Parties
Cr. M.P. No. 1989 of 2013,
Decided on : February 3, 2014
Impersonation - Quashing of FIR - Registration Act, 1908, Section 82
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought to quash the FIR filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that the deed of sale was registered by impersonation. The petitioner argued that the case should have been registered under Section 82 of the Registration Act, 1908, instead of the general law.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that while the act of impersonation could be prosecuted under the Registration Act, other offenses under the Indian Penal Code were also prima facie attracted based on the allegations in the FIR. Therefore, the court dismissed the application for quashing the FIR.
Issues: The main issue was whether the FIR should be quashed on the grounds that the case should have been registered under the Registration Act, 1908, instead of the Indian Penal Code.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that if the allegations constitute offenses under other acts, the question of quashing the FIR does not arise, even if the case was wrongly lodged under the general law. The court also emphasized that the act of impersonation could be prosecuted under the Registration Act, but other offenses under the Indian Penal Code were also attracted based on the allegations.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the application for quashing the FIR, allowing the petitioner to raise the point at an appropriate stage.
By the Court.-
Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned counsel appearing for the State.
2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that this application has been filed for quashing of the First Information Report of Dhanbad P.S. Case No. 21/2013 registered under Sections 406/409/ 420/467/468/469/471/120-B of the Indian Penal Code.
3. Mr. Mahesh Tiwari, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that when one Rajni Kant P. Chouhan executed a deed of sale registered in favour of Smt. Malti Singh, it was presented before the Sub Registrar, Dhanbad for its registration. Upon executant, being identified by the witnesses, the said deed of sale was registered. Thereafter, it does appear that one Silpy Rai made a complaint before the Deputy Commissioner, Dhanbad to the effect that the registration has been done by the act of impersonation and thereby, the Deputy Commissioner, Dhanbad, directed the Sub Registrar to lodge the case under Section 83 of the Registration Act, 1908. The Sub Registrar, accordingly, lodged the case, after making preliminary inquiry and coming to the finding that the sale deed got registered by an act of impersonation. He lodged the case, which was registered as Danbad P.S. Case No. 21/2013, not under Section 83 of the Registration Act, 1908, but under Sections 406/409/420/467/468/469/471/ 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. Under that situation, when offences alleged falls within the domain of Special Legislation i.e. Registration Act, one cannot be allowed to be prosecuted under the General law.
4. Learned counsel in this regard has referred to a provision as contained in Section 82 of the Registration Act, 1908, which reads as follows :-
"Section 82. Penalty for making false statements, delivering false copies or translations, false personation, and abatement.-Whoever-
(a) intentionally makes any false statement, whether on oath or not, and whether it has been recorded or not, before any officer acting in execution of this Act, in any proceeding or enquiry under this Act:
(b) intentionally delivers to a registering officer, in any proceeding under Section 19 or Section 21, a false copy or translation of a document, or a false copy of a map or plan; or
(c) falsely personates another, and in such assumed character presents any document, or makes any admission or statement, or causes any summons or commission to be issued, or does any other act in any proceeding or inquiry under this Act; or
(d) abets anything made punishable by this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
5. By referring to that provision; it was submitted that if one falsely personates another for getting a deed of sale registered, he can be very well prosecuted under the Registration Act and, thereby, the offence of forgery or offence under Section 419 will have no application.
6. But here in the Instant case, the case has been registered not for the offence under Section 82 of the of the Registration Act, 1908 but for the offences under the General Law and thereby, the petitioner cannot be allowed to be prosecuted and hence. First Information Report is, fit to be set aside.
7. Learned counsel, in support of his submission, has referred to decisions rendered in the cases of Sudip Itumar Mukhopadhayay v. State of Jharkhand, 2013 (4) 37 (HC) JBCJ and Adarsh Chilukuri v. Union of India, 2013 (2) JCR 218 (Jhr) : 2013 (3) JCR 232 (Jhr) : 2013 (1) 508 (HC) JBCJ wherein it has been held that if the allegation falls within the domain of any Special Legislation, the person cannot be allowed to be prosecuted under the General Law, in view of the provision as contained in Section 4 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
8. There has been absolutely no dispute with respect to proposition of law, which has been laid down in the cases referred to above.
9. It has been well settled that if the allegation falls within the domain of any Special Legislation
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