JUDGMENT :

In all these cases, a common question of fact and law are involved and this is why, all these cases have been heard together with consent of the learned counsels appearing for the parties.

2. Heard Mr. M.S. Mittal, the learned Senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners in Cr.M.P. No.627 of 2005, Cr.M.P. No.586 of 2006 and Cr.M.P. No.1902 of 2011], Mr. Ajit Kumar, the learned Senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner in Cr.M.P. No. 140 of 2009, Mr. Sumeet Gadodia, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner in Cr.M.P. No. 8 of 2012, Mr. Dhananjay Kumar Pathak, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners in Cr.M.P. No. 644 of 2008, Cr.M.P. No. 769 of 2008, Cr.M.P. No. 140 of 2009 and Cr.M.P. No. 1902 of 2011, Mr. Nitin Kumar Pasari, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners in Cr.M.P. No.195 of 2008 and Mr. Sidharth Roy, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner in Cr.M.P. No. 2088 of 2017 as well as Mr. Nilesh Kumar, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent J.U.V.N.L. and Mrs. Priya Shrestha, Spl.P.P., Mrs. Nehala Sharmin, Spl.P.P., Mr. Fahad Allam, A.P.P., Mr.B.N.Ojha, A.P.P., Ms. Sushma Aind, A.P.P. and Mrs.Ruby Pandey, A.P.P. appearing on behalf of the respondent-State in respective cases.

3. In Cr.M.P.No. 2088 of 2017, the prayer has been made for quashing of the order taking cognizance dated 24.08.2016 as well as entire criminal proceedings in connection with Giddi P.S.Case No.17/07 (G.R.No. 477 of 07) registered under sections 379/427 of the I.P.C pending in the court of learned Additional District and Sessions Judge No.II cum Special Judge ELECTRICITY ACT , Hazaribagh. In Cr.M.P.No. 627 of 2005, the prayer has been made for quashing of the First Information Report in connection with Saraikella, Adityapur P.S.Case No.156 of 2005 dated 11.6.2005, G.R. Case No.495 of 2005 under section 39/44 of Indian ELECTRICITY ACT , 1910 and section 379 of I.P.C pending in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate, at Sarakiella.

Subsequently, I.A. No.635 of 2023 has been filed challenging the order taking cognizance dated 06.4.2018.

In Cr.M.P.No. 586 of 2006, the prayer has been made for quashing of the First Information Report in connection with Chandil P.S. Case No.54 of 2006 dated 23.4.2006, corresponding to G.R. Case No.289 of 2006 under section 135 and 138 of the ELECTRICITY ACT , 2003, pending in the court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Saraikella Kharsawan. In Cr.M.P.No. 34 of 2007, the prayer has been made for quashing of the First Information Report in connection with Gamaharia P.S.Case No.1 of 2007 dated 3.1.2007, G.R. Case No.11 of 2007 under section 135 of the ELECTRICITY ACT , 2003 and section 379 of the I.P.C., pending in the court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Saraikella Kharsawan.

In Cr.M.P.No. 1767 of 2007, the prayer has been made for quashing of the First Information Report along with entire criminal proceeding initiated against the petitioner in connection with Ramgarh P.S. Case No.551 of 2007, G.R. No.4367 of 2007 under section 379 of the I.P.C. and section 135 of the Indian ELECTRICITY ACT pending in the court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate at Hazaribagh.

In Cr.M.P.No. 195 of 2008, the prayer has been made for quashing of the First In