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2009 Supreme(Ori) 678

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA
M.M. Das, J.
OM OIL AND FLOUR MILLS LTD. - APPELLANT
Versus
STATE OF ORISSA AND ANOTHER - RESPONDENT
Criminal Miscellaneous case No. 1430 of 2007
Decided On : 01-09-2009

The main legal point established is the requirement for proper application of judicial mind by the Magistrate in directing police investigation under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the limitations on the accused in challenging such direction.

Headnote:

Judicial Mind - Criminal Procedure - Sections 156(3), 420, 426, 500, 503, 467, 468, 471, 506, 120B, IPC - The court discussed the application of judicial mind by the Magistrate in directing police investigation under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It highlighted the need for proper application of judicial mind and the circumstances necessitating police investigation, as well as the limitations on the Magistrate's power in such matters.

Fact of the Case:

The Petitioner filed a complaint petition against the accused, alleging multiple offenses under various sections of the IPC. The Magistrate directed the police to register a case and investigate based on the complaint. The accused challenged this order, claiming lack of judicial application and ulterior motives.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the Magistrate had properly applied judicial mind in directing police investigation, and the nature of the allegations warranted police investigation. It set aside the order of the Additional Sessions Judge and directed the police to take up the investigation as originally directed by the Magistrate.

Issues: The issues revolved around the proper application of judicial mind by the Magistrate in directing police investigation under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the necessity of such investigation based on the nature of the allegations.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the Magistrate is authorized to direct police investigation under Section 156(3) if the nature of the allegations requires police intervention, and that the accused cannot challenge such direction without proper grounds.

Final Decision: The court allowed the criminal miscellaneous case, setting aside the impugned order and directing the police to take up the investigation as originally directed by the Magistrate.

JUDGMENT :

M.M. Das, J. - Heard Mr. G.K. Mohanty, learned Counsel for the Petitioner and the learned Counsel for the opposite party No. 2 as well as the learned Counsel for the State.

2. In this application u/s 482, Code of Criminal Procedure the Petitioner- complainant has challenged the order dated 07.07.07 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bhubaneswar in Crl. Revision No. 1/43 of 2007.

3. The facts as disclosed reveals that the Petitioner filed a complaint petition being I.C.C. Case No. 3564 of 2007 against the opposite party No. 2 as accused alleging commission of offences under Sections 420/426/ 500/ 503/ 467/468/471/506/120B, I.P.C. on 01.06.07. The learned S.D.J.M. by order dated 01.06.07 directed the LLC, Khandagiri P.S. to register a case being I.C.C. Case No. 2564 of 2007 on the complaint petition and to investigate into the allegations contained therein by exercising power u/s 156(3), Cr.P.C: Being aggrieved by the said order, the accused - opposite party No. 2 preferred the aforementioned Crl. Revision No. 1/43 of 2007 which was heard by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bhubaneswar.

4. Grounds stated in the Criminal Revision were that the learned S.D.J.M. without due application of judicial mind gave a direction to the police to investigate the case in a mechanical manner. According to the accused, the complaint petition did not disclosed commission of any cognizable offence and has been filed only with the intention to harass the accused with ulterior motive. In the impugned order, the learned Additional Sessions Judge after hearing the counsel for the respective parties, relying upon the decision in the cases of 2002 (2) CCC 302 (Allahabad) (Gulab Chand Upadhyaya v. State of U.P. and Ors.) 2006 (4) CCC 557 (Allahabad ) Ram Kishun and Ors. v. State of U.P. ) and 2005 (4) CCC 128 ( Kerala ) (Superintendent of Police, C.B.I. v. State of Kerala ) observed that through a Magistrate having jurisdiction over the matter is statutorily empowered to direct an investigation by the police on a complaint petition u/s 156(3), Code of Criminal Procedure Nevertheless, such power is not to be exercised mechanically and at the instance of the complaint. Before a direction for police investigation is given, there shall be proper application of judicial mind and the circumstances indicated in the complaint must necessitate investigation by the police by deviating from the normal procedure with regard to the complaint case. The revisional court thereafter concluding that the learned Magistrate has not applied his judicial mind while directing registration of an F.I.R. ultimately allowed the revision in part setting aside the impugned order passed by the learned Magistrate directing investigation on the complaint petition and remitted the matter back to him to pass a speaking order in accordance with the ratio of the decisions relied upon by it, before exercising power u/s 156(3), Code of Criminal Procedure The complaint- Petitioner being aggrieved has filed the present application.

5. Mr. G.K. Mohanty, learned Counsel for the Petitioner relies upon the decisions in the case of Madhu Bala Vs. Suresh Kumar and others Abdul Jahangir and Ors. v. State of Orissa and Ors. (2008 ) 18 OCR 207, Puma Chandra Sahoo v. Santi ' Sukanti and Anr. (2005) 30 OCR 268 and Mohd. Yousuf v. Smt. Afraq Jahan and Anr. (2006) 33 OCR (SC) 345, in support of his contention that while exercising power u/s 156(3), Code of Criminal Procedure the Magistrate is not required to find out as to whether a case is made out in the complaint petition or not against the accused and such orders are passed before cognizance of offences is taken by the Magistrate. He further relies upon the decision in the case of Kanaksinh Hathisinh Jadeja and Others Vs. Blabhadrasinh Narendraisinh Jhala and Another, and submits that the Magistrate is not required to record any reason before sending a case for police investigation u/s 156(3) Code of Criminal Procedure and the






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