2022 Supreme(Mad) 329
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M. NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
D. Chiranjeevulur - Appellant
Versus
The Commissioner of Police, Chennai & Another - Respondent
Crl.O.P. No. 23132 of 2021
Decided On : 21-02-2022
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant :A. Kumaraguru, Advocate.
For the Respondents: E. Raj Thilak, Additional Public Prosecutor.
Headnote:
Code of Criminal Procedure,1973 - Sections 482, 156(3) and 154(3) - Complaint pertains to offence of cheating in selling of lands - Possession and enjoyment of the property - Petitioner made a complaint to the Commissioner of Police was forwarded to the Inspector of Police and no case was registered - Petitioner sent another complaint through registered post to Inspector of Police a registered post to the first respondent Commissioner of Police - Lower Court recorded that complaint pertains to offence of cheating in selling of lands, further observed that petitioner has not approached Superintendent of Police level Officer Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ambattur in this case under Section 154(3) of Cr.P.C - Petitioner’s request for direction under Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C., could not be entertained. Further with delay - Petitioner had approached Lower Court – Held, Second report produced Court, it is seen that it is nothing but copy of earlier report produced - Finding shoddy and in perfunctory manner enquiry conducted and closure report made ready to favour counter complainant - Court feels that it would be appropriate that case to be transferred to the file of District Crime Branch, CCB, - Deputy Commissioner CCB, Avadi, who shall nominate appropriate Inspector of Police, who shall register the First Information Report, seize documents and take action against persons who committed forgery and cheated using forged documents in this case - Investigation to be completed within a period of six months from date of receipt of a copy of this order - Inspector of Police Police Station - Petition is allowed.
JUDGMENT :
Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to set aside the order in Crl.M.P.No.2128 of 2021 dated 30.09.2021 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate at Ambattur and consequently direct the 2nd respondent herein to register the FIR based on the petitioner’s complaint dated 28.04.2021.
1. This petition is filed to set aside the order in Crl.M.P.No.2128 of 2021 dated 30.09.2021 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate at Ambattur and consequently direct the 2nd respondent herein to register the FIR based on the petitioner’s complaint dated 28.04.2021.
2. The petitioner filed a petition under Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C., seeking direction to the Inspector of Police, Korattur Police Station, to register the petitioner’s complaint. The petitioner made a complaint to the Commissioner of Police on 25.09.2020 which was forwarded to the Inspector of Police and no case was registered. In the meanwhile, the petitioner sent another complaint through registered post to the Inspector of Police on 28.04.2021 and a registered post to the first respondent viz., the Commissioner of Police, Vepery, Chennai, on 05.05.2021. The Lower Court recorded that the complaint pertains to offence of cheating in selling of lands, further observed that the petitioner has not approached the Superintendent of Police level Officer, viz., the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ambattur in this case under Section 154(3) of Cr.P.C., regarding his two complaints given to the respondent Police. Hence, the petitioner’s request for direction under Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C., could not be entertained. Further with delay, the petitioner had approached the Lower Court. Hence, the petitioner to comply with the conditions under Section 154(3) of Cr.P.C., against which the present petition.
3. The contention of the petitioner is that the Superintendent of Police referred under Section 154(3) of Cr.P.C. is denoting the head of the Police of the concerned District. As regards the Chennai City, head of Police is the Commissioner of Police, Chennai. Within Chennai city limit, cause of action has occurred. The Lower Court referring to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ambattur may not be proper. Though the Deputy Commissioner of Police is in the rank of Superintendent of Police, ascribing Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ambattur as Head of the Police, and directing to send representation to him, will not be proper as regards Chennai City is concerned. Presently the position may have changed due to trifurcation of Chennai Police Commissioner and now Commissioner of Police, Avadi designated. In any event, the petitioner is aggrieved by the inaction of Inspector of Police, Korattur Police Station. Hence, the petitioner has sent representation to the higher Authority namely, the Commissioner of Police, Chennai, who is the head of the Police of Chennai City. Hence, he has complied with Section 154(3) of Cr.P.C. The Judicial Magistrate, Ambattur had lost sight of this fact and wrongly directed the petitioner to once again comply Section 154(3) of Cr.P.C., is not proper.
4. Be that as it may, the gist of the complaint is that the petitioner had purchased a plot in TVS Avenue, Survey No.64 measuring to an extent of 31111 sqft from one Shanthi, her husband and her sons, viz., G.T.Shankar, S.Rajinikanth and her daughter viz., Papitha Devi for a sale consideration of Rs.7,46,640/- on 23.09.2004, Sale Deed Doc.No.3250 of 2004 executed in favour of the petitioner, the same registered at SRO Villivakkam. From the date of purchase of property, the petitioner was in possession and enjoyment of the property. On 18.08.2020, the petitioner visited the property, at that time, to his shock and surprise, the petitioner found some construction works going on in his land. The petitioner questioned the same, at that time it was informed that the neighbouring plot owner purchased the property and holds valid documents. On 22.08.2020, the petitioner alon