2010 Supreme(All) 2155
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
Vedpal, J.
Bhagwan Dutt & Ors. -Appellant
Versus
State of U.P. -Respondent
Criminal Misc. Case No.2884 of 2010
Decided On : 09-07-2010
Om Prakash Mishra
The court clarified the limitations of the inherent power under Section 482, Cr.P.C. and the lack of automatic right for the accused to demand further investigation under Section 173(8), Cr.P.C.
Headnote:
Section 482, Cr.P.C. - Quashing of Charge Sheet - Abetment of Suicide - Insufficient Grounds for Interference
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought to quash the charge sheet against them for abetting the suicide of the wife of one of the petitioners. The deceased's father had lodged a report alleging cruelty and abetment of suicide.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the charge sheet prima facie disclosed a cognizable offence and that the petitioners had no right to demand further investigation under Section 173(8), Cr.P.C. The court held that the petitioners could present evidence during the trial to prove the deceased's natural death.
Issues: The main issue was whether the charge sheet for abetment of suicide should be quashed, and whether the petitioners had the right to demand further investigation.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the inherent power under Section 482, Cr.P.C. should not be used to stifle legitimate prosecution and that the trial judge should determine the reliability of evidence. It also clarified that the accused did not have an automatic right to demand further investigation under Section 173(8), Cr.P.C.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the petition, stating that the impugned orders did not require interference and that the petitioners had the opportunity to present evidence during the trial.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned A.G.A. and perused the record of the case.
3. Notice on behalf of the opposite party has been accepted by the learned A.G.A.
4. lt is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioners that Smt. Kushma Devi, who was wile of petitioner No.2 Jokhu alias Kheru, had died at the house of the applicants due to Cholera but her father Basudev on 24.3.2002, lodged a report against the petitioners to the effect that they used to treat Kushma Devi with cruelty as she had no child and thus the petitioners abetted the commission of suicide by Smt. Kushma Devi.
5. It is submitted that the report was false and nothing was found in the viscera of the deceased while it is said that deceased committed suicide by consuming poison. That the Police without proper investigation submitted charge-sheet against the petitioners for the offence punishable under Section 300,1.P.C. whereupon the petitioners moved an application before the learned Magistrate for re-investigation under Section 173(8), Cr.P.C. but said application was rejected and thereafter revision was preferred that too was rejected by the learned Session Judge and since these orders were passed without application of mind and an ipso facto illegal, therefore, they should be set aside.
6. Learned AGA has opposed the petition by contending that Police after holding investigation have submitted charge-sheet against the petitioners and admittedly the deceased was wife of petitioner Jokhu alias Kheru and had died at his house all of a sudden otherwise than in normal circumstances.She died because of cholera., the burden lies on the petitioner to prove it at the trial and there was no necessity for further investigation in the matter when charge sheet was submitted by the Police on the ground that prima facie case of abetment of commission of suicide is made out against the petitioners. It is also submitted that accused has got no right to ask for further investigation under Section 173(8) Cr.P.C., when chargesheet has been submitted and the court has taken cognizance of the offence and as such by passing the impugned order, the learned court below did not commit any illegality, irregularity or impropriety and as such the petition is liable to be dismissed.
7. I have carefully considered the respective submissions made by the parties.
8. It is settled law that when exercising jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. this Court would not ordinarily embark upon the inquiry whether evidence in question is reliable or not or whether on reasonable appreciation of it accusation would not be sustained. This is the function of the trial Judge. The inherent power should not be exercised to stifle the legitimate prosecution in the grab of further investigation. When entire facts are incomplete and the evidence is yet to be produced before the trial court, finding regarding sufficiency of the material in support of the prosecution cannot be given. Admittedly, the deceased was wife of petitioner Jokhu alias Kheru, who died at his house under suspicious circumstances. In the investigation, statement of witnesses under Section 161 Cr.P.C. was recorded by the I.O and on the basis of the material available charge sheet was submitted which prima facie discloses commission of the cognizable offence for which charge sheet has been submitted. When after investigation, chargesheet has been submitted accused has got no right to ask for further investigation and to delay the trial. The provisions of Section 173 (8) merely enable the Police to further inve