2023 Supreme(P&H) 3144
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
PANKAJ JAIN, J.
Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust – Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab & Ors. – Respondents
CRM-M-6340-2023 (O&M)
Decided On : 18-10-2023
Advocates Appeared:
Mr. R.S. Rai, Sr. Advocate with Mr. P.S. Ahluwalia, Advocate, Mr. Jagat Vir Singh Dhindsa, Advocate and Mr. Nitish Pathak, Advocate; For the Petitioner
Mr. Sumeet Goel, Senior Advocate with Mr. Satyaveer Singh, Advocate, Mr. Tajveer Singh, Advocate and Mr. Ashish Pundir, Advocate; For the Appellant in CRM-38764-2023.
Mr. Tarun Aggarwal, Sr. D.A.G., Punjab.
Mr. Anand Chibber, Senior Advocate with Ms. Ateevraj, Advocate for Respondents No.5.
Mr. Nimanyu Gautam, Advocate for Respondents No.
Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 452, 323, 506, 427, 120B, 148, and 149 - Transfer of investigation - Petition filed seeking transfer of FIR for the above offences to CBI due to alleged manipulation and forum shopping by accused parties - Court emphasized the need for credible investigations to maintain trust in judicial processes. (Paras 1, 10, 18, 19)
(B) Abuse of Process of Law - The court highlighted the manipulation of legal processes and the necessity for an independent investigation when serious allegations arise. (Paras 15, 18, 19)
Facts of the case:
The petitioners allege that an imposter trust was created to unlawfully claim land belonging to the petitioner-trust, with accusations of violent threats and property damage made against several named individuals. Additionally, there were claims of forged documents being utilized in attempts to establish title over the land. (Paras 1, 2, 10)
Findings of Court:
CBI tasked with investigating the FIR due to the gravity of allegations and irregularities in local investigations; trial court proceedings on hold until CBI report submission. (Paras 19, 21)
Issues: The court addressed the seriousness of the allegations concerning the rich land claims, the interference by known legal practitioners, and the shifting positions taken by the investigating agency. (Paras 12, 14)
Ratio Decidendi: The court reinforced the necessity of independent inquiry in matters where the integrity of the legal process comes into question, asserting that persistent abuse of the judicial process cannot be overlooked. (Paras 17, 18)
Result: FIR No.133 dated 10-03-2022 is to be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
JUDGMENT
Mr. Pankaj Jain, J. (Oral)
This petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking transfer of FIR No.133, dated 10th of March, 2022 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 452 , 323, 506, 427, 120B, 148 and 149 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE , 1860 at Police Station Zirakpur, District SAS Nagar, to Central Bureau of Investigation or to a Special Investigation Team under the supervision of a Senior IPS Officer, who can take a holistic view.
2. The facts of the case indeed reveal a shocking tale how the process of law has been abused by unscrupulous elements. The petitioners call it 'Forum shopping' but it seems to be beyond that.
3. While issuing notice of motion this Court noticed facts in detail and passed following order: :
"Present petition has been filed by petitioner-Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust, Daryaganj, New Delhi through its Manager Harjit Singh seeking transfer of case FIR No.133 dated 10.03.2022 under Sections 452, 323, 506, 427, 120B, 148 and 149 IPC, registered at Police Station Zirakpur, District SAS Nagar, to the Central Bureau of Investigation or to a special investigation team under the supervision of a senior IPS officer.
The pleaded case of the petitioner in the present petition is that Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust, Daryaganj, New Delhi, was created way back in the year 1924 and had to its distinction eminent persons as trustees for the purpose of imparting education. The trust which has been in existence for over 100 years purchased various properties from time to time. An imposter trust was created by the accused persons, namely, Rajinder Kumar son of Sona Ram and Sarabjit Singh son of Harnam Singh in the name of Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust, New Delhi. The dispute in the present case pertains to the property owned by the petitioner-trust measuring 8 acres, situated at Village Nabha, VIP Road, Zirakpur, which currently has a market value of over Rs.100 crores and FIR No.133 dated 10.03.2022 (Annexure P-1) was registered at Police Station Zirakpur, District SAS Nagar for offences under Sections 452, 323, 506, 427, 120B, 148 and 149 IPC at the instance of the manager of the petitioner-trust against the accused persons, namely, Sanjeev Kumar Gabha; Rajesh Kumar Gabha; Rajinder Kumar and Sarabjit Singh. It has further been averred that certain documents were forged by these four accused persons in an attempt to gain title over the property and one such document is a certificate which was allegedly issued under the Cooperative Societies Act on 10.10.1980 (Annexure P-9), bearing the stamp of N.C.T., New Delhi. The document being forged and fabricated is borne out of the fact that N.C.T., Delhi was created in the year 1991. Thereafter, the said four persons namely, Sanjeev Kumar Gabha; Rajesh Kumar Gabha; Rajinder Kumar and Sarabjit Singh filed a civil suit before the Civil Court at Dera Bassi along with applications under Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 CPC. Initially, ad-interim injunction was granted by the Court of learned Civil Judge (Jr. Divn.), Dera Bassi, vide order dated 08.03.2022 but later on vide order dated 04.04.2022 the said application was dismissed with the following observations: -
"13. The entire record prima facie shows that plaintiffs have not come to court with clean hands and are thus not entitled to discretionary relief of injunction. The facts putforth by defendant no.1 in written statement apparently provide that plaintiffs have concealed material facts from the court. For instance, a notice Annexure D16 dated 23.02.2022 was issued by the office of ADC, SAS Nagar (Mohali) to plaintiff no.1 as well as one Inderdeep Singh, President of Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust, New Delhi with respect to a complaint moved by said Inderdeep Singh being President of the trust alleging land grabbing by plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have apparently very cleverly concealed about such fact and not disclosed the same in plaint or in any application on record. Moreover, bare perusal of written stat
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