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1965 Supreme(Ori) 77

HIGH COURT OF ORISSA
G. K. Misra, J.
HAREKRUSHNA MOHANTY - Appellant
Versus
ADIKANDO BEHERA - Respondent
Criminal Revn.  62  Of  1965
Decided On : SEPTEMBER 22, 1965

Advocates Appeared:
S.K.RAY

The Magistrate erred in allowing the accused to participate in the enquiry under Section 202, Cr. P. C., and in considering irrelevant materials in dismissing the complaint.

Headnote:

{'KEYWORD': 'Criminal Procedure Code, 1973', 'SUBJECT': 'Enquiry Under Section 202, Cr. P. C. - Scope and Procedure', 'ACT SECTION LIST': ['Section 202', 'Section 203', 'Section 145'], 'SUMMARY': "The court held that the Magistrate erred in allowing the accused to participate in the enquiry under Section 202, Cr. P. C., and in considering irrelevant materials in dismissing the complaint. The court quashed the Magistrate's order and directed a fresh enquiry in accordance with the law."}

Fact of the Case:

The complainant filed a complaint against five police officers for various offenses, including trespass, assault, and criminal intimidation. The Magistrate directed an enquiry under Section 202, Cr. P. C., and after considering the report of the Enquiring Magistrate, dismissed the complaint under Section 203, Cr. P. C.

Finding of the Court:

The court held that the Magistrate erred in allowing the accused to participate in the enquiry under Section 202, Cr. P. C., and in considering irrelevant materials in dismissing the complaint. The court quashed the Magistrate's order and directed a fresh enquiry in accordance with the law.

Issues: 1. Whether the Magistrate erred in allowing the accused to participate in the enquiry under Section 202, Cr. P. C.? 2. Whether the Magistrate erred in considering irrelevant materials in dismissing the complaint?

Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the Magistrate erred in allowing the accused to participate in the enquiry under Section 202, Cr. P. C., as the accused has no right to take part in the proceeding and the Magistrate has no jurisdiction to permit him to do so. 2. The court held that the Magistrate erred in considering irrelevant materials in dismissing the complaint, as the Magistrate is only entitled to consider the statements of the complainant and his witnesses on oath and the result of the investigation or enquiry, if any.

Final Decision: The court quashed the Magistrate's order and directed a fresh enquiry in accordance with the law.

G. K. MISRA, J.

( 1 ) ON 12-8-1964 Harekrushna Mpllanty filed a complaint in the Court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Puri, against (1) Adikando Behera, Officer-in-charge, Town p. S. , Puri (2) Prafuiia Babu, Sub-Inspector, (3) Dijen Babu, Sub-Inspector (4)Goura Charan Mohapatra, Havildar and (5) Biswanath Patnaik, Havildar, under sections 342, 352,354,426,427,447, 500 and 504 I. P. C. The main allegations were that on 10-8-64 at about 3 p. m. accused 2 and 4 served a notice under section 145, Cr. PC on the complainant. At about 7 P. M. accused 2, 4 and 5 came to the residential house of the complainant and asked him to attend Thana saying that accused 1 had sent for him. At the P. S. the complainant was detained till 9 p. m. He was kept under Police guard and was asked to furnish bail. While he was at the P. S. for 2 to 3 hours, accused 1 with other accused came to his house, unlawfully trespassed therein and forcibly drove out his wife, daughter, sister and other inmates from the house after abusing them in filthy language. When the complainant's sister Radhamani lodged protest, she was given a push as a result her forehead struck against the wall and she sustained an injury. All the inmates were drenched in the rain and were sitting on the outer verandah of the house. Many of his valuables were kept locked up in the house. It was stated that the complainant was residing as a tenant in the particular house designated as Mandal buildings. One Judhistir Jena, a rich contractor, attempted to oust the complainant from the said building. Having failed to do so, he influenced the accused, the police staff, to unlawfully force him out from the house. The high-handed action on the part of the Police affected the prestige, reputation and status of the complainant. The complainant was examined on oath. As the complaint was against the police, the learned Sub-Divisional Magistrate directed an enquiry Under section 202, Cr. PC. The matter was inquired into by a Magistrate of the first class, who submitted his report on 8-10-1964. His ultimate conclusion was to the effect: in view of the facts and circumstances stated above it will be better if the matter be t hrashed out in the proper court of law and justice meted out. After receipt of the report of the Enquiring Magistrate, Sri B. Mohapatra, S. D. M. Puri dismissed the complaint Under Section 203, Cr. P. C. Cr. Rev. No. 52 of 1964 in the- court of the sesssions' Judge, Furi fbv further enquiry Under Section 436 Cr. P. C. was dismissed on 16-12-64. The revision before the Sessions Judge was filed only against accused 1. The Cr. Revision in this Court is also directed only against accused 1. The order of the Sub-divisional Magistrate dismissing the complaint against the other four accused thus stands final and cannot be reagitated.

( 2 ) THE course of events before the Enquiring Magistrate may he traced. On 25- 864 he received the records for inquiry Under Section 202, Cr. P. C. On the very day he passed an order to the effect: this being a complaint against the sub-inspector of police, inform the prosecuting Inspector (P. I.) to be present during the iime of enquiry if he so liked and watch the proceeding. The same inquiry was adjourned to 7-9-64 when the complainant took time. The enquiring Magistrate directed that P. I. should be informed of the order of that date. On 23-9-64 out of seven P. Ws. six were examined. The Magistrate passed the following order-The P. I. on behalf of other parties present. To 3-10-64 on which date both parties to file their documents. On the date so fixed, the complainant filed certain documents. The P. I. prayed for time to argue the case as he was otherwise occupied. Time was granted till 6-10-64 for hearing when the complainant was heard and the case was adjourned to 7-10-64 for further hearing. On that date p. I. filed Station diary, Town P. S. and the Personal Diary of the Town inspector. After hearing he posted it for order to 8-10-64 when the re









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