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1993 Supreme(All) 507

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
J. P. SEMWAL
VISHWA NATH - Appellant
Versus
SHAMBHU NATH PANDEYA DECEASED BY L.R - Respondents
CRI. MISC. APPLN. 8478 Of 1981
Decided On : 10/13/1993

Advocates Appeared:
D.S.TIVARI, TAPAS GHOSH

The Ahiwasi Brahmin community was not an aggrieved person within the meaning of Section 199(1), CrPC, as it was not a definite, particularized, identifiable collection of persons.

Headnote:

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE - SECTION 482 - QUASHING OF COMPLAINT - DEFAMATION - SECTION 199, 256 - AGGRIEVED PERSON - COLLECTION OF PERSONS - AHIRASI BRAHMIN COMMUNITY - NOT AN AGGRIEVED PERSON - COMPLAINT ABATED ON DEATH OF COMPLAINANT - COUNSEL CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED.

Fact of the Case:

The applicant, editor of a magazine, published an article allegedly defamatory to the Ahiwasi Brahmin community. A complaint was filed by one Shambhu Nath Pandeya, a member of the community, under Section 500, IPC. After the complainant's death, his counsel, Sri M. P. Pandey, moved an application to continue the prosecution. The Magistrate allowed the application and rejected the applicant's application for abatement of the complaint. The applicant filed a petition under Section 482, CrPC to quash the complaint and stay further proceedings.

Finding of the Court:

The court held that the Ahiwasi Brahmin community was not an aggrieved person within the meaning of Section 199(1), CrPC, as it was not a definite, particularized, identifiable collection of persons. The court also held that the complaint abated on the death of the complainant and that Sri M. P. Pandey could not be substituted as the complainant.

Issues: 1. Whether the Ahiwasi Brahmin community was an aggrieved person within the meaning of Section 199(1), CrPC? 2. Whether the complaint abated on the death of the complainant? 3. Whether Sri M. P. Pandey could be substituted as the complainant?

Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the Ahiwasi Brahmin community was not an aggrieved person within the meaning of Section 199(1), CrPC, as it was not a definite, particularized, identifiable collection of persons. The court relied on the following case law: * Sukamal Kanti Ghosh v. Shoulmari Ashram, 1970 Cri LJ 809: AIR 1970 Cal 248 * Smt. Aruna Asaf Ali v. Purna Narayan Sinha, 1984 Cri LJ 1121 (Gauhati) * Narottamdas L. Shah v. Patel Maganbhai Revabhi, 1984 Cri LJ 1790 (Guj) 2. The court held that the complaint abated on the death of the complainant. The court relied on the following case law: * Subbana Hedge v. Dyavappa Gowda, 1980 Cri LJ 1405 (Kani) * Nanilal Samanta v. Robin Ghosh, AIR 1964 Cal 64: 1964 (1) Cri LJ 186 3. The court held that Sri M. P. Pandey could not be substituted as the complainant.

Final Decision: The court allowed the petition and quashed the complaint and stayed further proceedings.

J. P. SEMWAL, J.

( 1 ) THIS is an application under Section 482, Cr PC with a prayer to quash the complaint (Annexure No. I) filed by one Shambhu Nath Pandeya against the present petitioner and one Shrish Chandra under Section 500, IPC and to stay further proceedings in Criminal Case No. 58/ix, of 1981, under Section 500, IPC, pending in the Court of the IInd Addl. Munsif Magistrate, Mathura.

( 2 ) THE facts giving rise to the present proceeding are that the applicant is the editor, printer and publisher of a string of multilingual magazines. bhu-Bharti is one of such magazines which is published fortnightly in Hindi. The applicant published in the second number of November, 1980 in Bhu-Bharti an article written by Shrish Chand Mishra, who is the co-accused in the aforesaid complaint. This article is titledmathura Sati Kand-Kya Hardei Ki Hatya Ki Gai. " This article was printed on pages 13 to 18 of the said magazine in the said number. On page 13 in the end of the third column of this article the following matter was printed : paramparagat Brahman Unhen Bramhan Nahi Mante Lekin Ahiwasi Apne Apko Adigaur Brahman Aur Sauram Rishi Ke Putra Mante Hain. Hardei Bhi Brahman Adiwasi Thi. Ahiwastyon Ke Niwas Sambandhi Riti-Riwaj Am Logon Se Alag Hain Aur Yaun Sambandhon Ke Mamle Men To We Kabhi Udar Hain. In Logon Me Najdiki Riston Me Shadi Ho Jati Hai Aur Ghar Ki Aurat Par Pariwar Ke Sabhi Mard Apni Adhikar Mante Hain Jin Logon Me Charitra No Ho Unke Ghar Ki Bahu Kahi Sati Ho Sakti Hain. "


( 3 ) IN para 8 of the complaint (Annexure-I) this portion of the article has been set out, which is alleged to be defamatory to the whole community of Ahiwasi Brahmins. It is alleged that the same has been written to lower down the dignity and reputation of Ahiwasi Brahmins. The complainant Shambhu Nath Pandeya was one of the members of Ahiwasi Brahmin community. Aggrieved by the aforesaid publication of the aforementioned portion of the article in Bhu-Bharti, second number of November, 1980 the complainant filed the said complaint against the petitioner as well as Shrish Chand alleging the same as defamatory statement against Ahiwasi Brahmins. The learned Magistrate taking cognizance of the case recorded the statement of complainant Shambhu Nath Pandeya under Section 200, Cr PC and of Kanhaiya Lal Pandey under Section 202, Cr PC. and he being of the opinion that there was sufficient ground for proceeding against the petitioner-applicant and Shrish Chand Misra under Section 500, IPC issued process against them for appearing in his court on 26-3-1981, (vide copy of the order dated 13-2-81 ). The applicant-petitioner appeared personally in the court on 66-81 and thereafter his personal attendance was exempted. Thereafter complainant Shambhu Nath Pandeya died. Sri M. P. Pandey, Advocate, who was appearing as a counsel for the said Shambhu Nath Pandeya, moved an application under Section 256, Cr PC before the learned Magistrate concerned stating that the complainant Shambhu Nath Pandeya has died and the personal attendance of the complainant be dispensed with and the case may be proceeded wied with (Copy of the application, Annexure-III ). In the said application, it has also been stated that the case relates to serious offence containing highly defamatory allegations against the Ahiwasi Brahmin community as a whole to which the complainant and the major portion of the witnesses of the list belong.

( 4 ) THE said application (Annexure-III) was allowed by the learned Magistrate on 4-9-1981 and the case was allowed to proceed through counsel Sri M. P. Pandey (vide copy of the order, Annexure IV ). It is alleged by the applicant that the said application (Annexure-III) was moved behind his back and when he came to know about the said application and order passed on the said application (Annexures III and IV respectively), he moved an application on 4-9-1991 (Annexurev) stating that the complaint is to abate on the death of the complainant and that arguments
































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