BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
R. THARANI, J.
R. Mokkamayan - Appellant
Versus
State through the Inspector of Police, Madurai - Respondent
Crl. R.C.(MD) No. 45 of 2022 & Crl.M.P.(MD) Nos. 926 & 928 of 2022
Decided On : 22-02-2022
Criminal Procedure Code,1973 - Sections 397 r/w. 401, 190 (1) (c) , 216(1)(4) , 190 (1) , 323 and 216 - Indian Penal Code,1860 - Section 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii), 120(b) and 149 - TNPPDL Act - Section 3(1) - Criminal Intimidation – Rioting - Prosecution has lodged final report against respondent accused for the offence punishable under Sections 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii) of IPC r/w. Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act and Sections 120(b) and 149 of IPC - Court has taken cognizance of case only under Sections 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii), 120(b) and 149 of IPC and taken case on file charges were framed against respondent accused only for offence under Sections 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii), 120(b) and 149 of IPC - Perusal of entire records reveals that a case under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act was made out which is triable only by Court of Sessions and a charge under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act has to be framed and the case has to be committed to Court of Sessions - Chargesheet was filed against respondent accused under Sections 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii) of IPC and under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act r/w. Section 149 of IPC - Case was taken only on file under Sections 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii) of IPC and case was posted for trial - There is no documentary evidence to attract an offence under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act square feet was alleged to have been purchased by defacto complainant - But there was no stone pillars erected along boundaries and there was no coconut saplings in that plot - Respondent accused never dumped waste materials in the property of the defacto complainant - Defacto complainant is a Senior Police Officer – Held, Magistrate/Officer is having power to alter the charge at any point of time before pronouncing judgment - Trial Court on consideration of broad probability of case based upon the total effect of evidence and documents produced is satisfied that any Addition or alteration of charge is necessary, trial Court can alter or add charges - Prosecution is entitled to file a petition under Section 216 of Cr.P.C - Prosecution has not produced any such additional records or statements along with this petition - Before examining any witness, before perusing documents, trial Court has come to a conclusion to add a charge - Magistrate Court finds at any stage of proceedings before signing judgment that case is one which ought to be tried by a Honourable Court of Sessions - Magistrate shall commit it to Honourable Court of Sessions - Even in complaint, it is clearly stated that stone pillars surrounding the boundaries were erected by the defacto complainant - On basis of wordings of his neighbours defacto complainant questioned the petitioner and others and (ii) the petitioner and others scolded defacto complainant in filthy language and threatened him with dire consequences. Considering the nature of the complaint – Civil Revision Case is allowed.
JUDGMENT :
Prayer: This criminal revision case is filed under Sections 397 r/w. 401 of Cr.P.C., to call for the records relating to the order in Cr.M.P.No.3256 of 2016 dated 10.02.2021 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Melur and to set aside the same and issue order to follow the earlier cognizance taken on 11.07.2013 to take cognizance under Section 147, 447, 294(b), 506(ii), 120(b) and 149 of IPC only.
1. This petition has been filed to set aside the order passed in Cr.M.P.No. 3256 of 2016 dated 10.02.2021 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate Court, Melur.
2. The petitioner herein is the respondent and the respondent herein is the petitioner in Cr.M.P.No.3256 of 2016. The respondent herein has filed a petition in Cr.M.P.No.3256 of 2016 to add the charge under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act and commit the case to the Court of Sessions.
3. A Brief substance of the petition in Cr.M.P.No.3256 of 2016 is as follows:
4. Brief substance of the counter filed by the respondent therein is as follows:
5. After hearing both sides, the trial Court allowed the petition and committed the case to the Sessions Court. Against the same, the petitioner has preferred this revision case.
6. On the side of the revision petitioner, it is stated that the allegation made out against the petitioner is false and frivolous. There is no documentary evidence to attract the offence under Section 3(1) of TNPPDL Act. In survey No.91/1A2, 91/1A3 of Thirumohur village, no stone pillars was erected along the boundaries and there was no coconut saplings planted in the area. The petitioner has not dumped any waste material in the property. The petition was filed by the complainant without any supporting documents or statements. Instead of filing petition before the Principal Sessions Court, the complainant has filed this petition before the learned Judicial Magistrate, which is not maintainable. The impugned order was passed, when there was no change of circumstances in the case. Unless there is evidence or record to support the addition or alteration, the pow
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