IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
V. D. Bhargava, J.
CHOKHEY LAL MOTI - Appellant
Versus
BABULAL BEHARI LAL - Respondents
Civil Misc. Writ 1812 Of 1958
Decided On : 02/18/1960
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE, 1898 - SECTION 146 - JURISDICTION OF MUNSIF - ORDER UNDER SECTION 146 IS FINAL AND SUBJECT TO DECISION IN A REGULAR SUIT - ORDER UNDER SECTION 146 CANNOT BE CHALLENGED BY WRIT PETITION - REFERENCE TO MUNSIF FOR FINDING ON POSSESSION IS NOT A RELIEF ON THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
Fact of the Case:
Petitioners claimed ownership of a plot of land with 12 buildings, leased from the Collector Agra for 33 years. A dispute arose when Babu Lal claimed 1/3rd share in the land, leading to criminal proceedings under Section 145 and an order of attachment under Section 146 Cr. P. C. A reference was made to the Munsif for a finding on possession, who found in favor of Babu Lal. Petitioners challenged the Munsif's order through a writ petition.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the order under Section 146 Cr. P. C. is final and subject to decision in a regular suit. Petitioners had an alternate remedy by way of a regular suit to challenge the Munsif's order. The court also held that the Munsif had jurisdiction to decide on possession, as the dispute did not involve proprietary rights but only possession at a particular time.
Issues: 1. Whether a writ petition is maintainable to challenge an order under Section 146 Cr. P. C.? 2. Whether the Munsif had jurisdiction to decide on possession of the disputed property? 3. Whether the Munsif erred in refusing to consider the plan filed by the petitioners?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. An order under Section 146 Cr. P. C. is final and subject to decision in a regular suit. Petitioners had an alternate remedy by way of a regular suit to challenge the Munsif's order. 2. The Munsif had jurisdiction to decide on possession, as the dispute did not involve proprietary rights but only possession at a particular time. 3. The Munsif did not err in refusing to consider the plan filed by the petitioners, as the judgment was based on the evidence filed by the parties.
Final Decision: The writ petition was dismissed with costs.
( 1 ) THIS writ petition has been filed on behalf of seven persons who claim that they are owners of a plot of land, No. 925, measuring about 5 biswas in area. On this plot of land there are twelve separate buildings and the valuation of the buildings is about Rs. 10,000/ -. Moti Ram, father of petitioners Nos. 1 and 2, obtained lease of the aforesaid plot of land for 33 years at the rate of Rs. 3. 50 np. per annum from the Collector Agra. Thereafter he constructed the aforesaid buildings on this land. Petitioners Nos. 1 and 2, sons of Moti Ram, and the other petitioners are members of a joint family being the grandsons and nephews. Two of the buildings had been rented out to mohana and Narain. An application was moved by Babu Lal before the District Board, Agra to "the effect that this plot of land had been taken by Mohana and Naraina on lease and Babulal being the brother of Mohana and Naraina was also entitled to 1/3rd share. This application was purported to have been moved when Hukmi Ram, petitioner No. 2, served a notice of demand of arrears of rent on Mohana. The said application was pending in the court of the District Judge when this writ petition was filed in the meantime. On 11-6-56 criminal proceedings were taken under Section 145 in the court of the City Magistrate, Agra on the allegation that on 8-6-56 the petitioners had damaged the foundation of the building laid by Babu lal opposite party in his l/3rd share. A preliminary order of attachment was made and on 21-10-1956 an order was passed under Section 145, Cr. P. C. By this order the Magistrate had held that each of the two parties was entitled to certain houses on the land in dispute.
( 2 ) AS regards possession, the Magistrate came to the conclusion that none of the parties had been able to prove substantially his claim over the land and the Magistrate was unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion about possession. Therefore the land was attached under Section 146 Cr. P. C. , and a reference was made to the Munsif. , Agra for a finding whether any and which of the parties was in possession. The reference was not made in the proper form and, therefore, there was a revision in which this order was set aside. When the case came before the Magistrate he passed an order of reference under Section 146 to the Munsif. According to the petitioners this order was not in accordance with the mandatory provisions of Section 146 (1 ).
( 3 ) BEFORE the Munsif affidavits were filed by by the parties and the Munsif gave a finding against the petitioners and held that Babu Lal had been an possession of the land in dispute when it was attached under Section 146, Cr. P. C. The petitioners, therefore, have come to this Court and challenged the order of the Munsif on the ground that he had no jurisdiction, because the property in dispute was worth more than Rs. 10,000/ and the reference which was made by the city Magistrate was in derogation of Section 146 (1) Cr. P. C. It was further contended that the munsif has failed to consider the effect of the affidavit and the plan filed on behalf of the petitioners and that the Munsif acted with material irregularity in the exercise of his jurisdiction. Therefore, it was prayed that a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other suitable writ, order, or direction quashing the order of the Munsif, Agra dated 26-5-1958 be issued by this Court.
( 4 ) THE first ground on which this petition is not entertainable is that under Sub-section (1-E) of section 146 an order under Section 146 is subject to any subsequent decision by a Court of competent jurisdiction. The petitioners have an alternate remedy by way of a regular suit where the order of the Munsif can be challenged and it is only by that manner that the orders under section 146 should be challenged. An order under Section 146 has been made final, subject to decision in a regular suit.
( 5 ) IT is clear that neither there can be art appeal nor a revision nor a revie
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