IMPORTANT POINT
Section 145 proceedings can continue despite a pending civil suit if no protective orders are granted, balancing civil and criminal jurisdiction.

JUDGMENT :

(Nand Prabha Shukla, J.)

Heard Sri Romeshwari Prasad, learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri Himanshu Srivastava, holding brief of Sri Vinay Kumar Pandey, learned counsel for the respondents, Sri Rajesh Kumar Gupta, learned A.G.A. for the State and perused the record.

2. By means of this petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners have prayed to set aside the impugned orders dated 18.08.2023 passed by learned Additional Session Judge, Court No. 1, Varanasi in Criminal Revision No. 102 of 2021 Babbar @ Pabbar and others Vs. State of U.P. and others and order dated 27.02.2021 passed by learned Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, Varanasi in Case No. 15142 of 2020, under Section 145 Cr.P.C., P.S.-Maduadih, District-Varanasi, Ravindra Sonker Vs. Babbar and further not to interfere in the peaceful possession of the petitioners' property during the pendency of this present writ petition.

3. The main submission of learned counsel for the petitioners is that the petitioners are in the peaceful possession of Arazi No. 223/1 admeasuring 2720 square ft. land for the last 45-50 years. By initiating the proceedings under Section 145/146 Cr.P.C. before the Sub-Divisional Officer, Sadar, Varanasi, the respondents are trying to take illegal and forceful possession of his property. It has also been submitted that a civil suit is already pending between the parties before the Competent Court of law, therefore, there was no occasion to institute a parallel proceeding under Sections 145 and 146 Cr.P.C. There was no likelihood of the breach of peace and the instant proceedings have been endeavoured to harass the petitioners under the garb of Section 145 Cr.P.C. in order to settle their personal score.

4. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 4 and 5 have controverted the aforesaid contention and have asserted that they are the owners of the disputed land as the sale deed dated 24.09.2018 was executed in favour of respondent No. 4.

5. Upon hearing learned counsel for the parties and from the perusal of record, it transpires that the said property belongs to Bhudaan Yagna Samiti and was donated to Shri Laxamdas and after the death of Shri Laxamdas, his son Shri Kalidas inherited the property. Kalidas permitted the petitioners to enjoy the property after taking some consideration. Kalidas had two sons, namely, Ishwarchand Vidyasagar and Anand Sagar. After the death of Kalidas, two sons of Champa Devi tried to take illegal possession. Ishwar filed a suit against Champa Devi and her sons, however, it was dismissed. After the death of Ishwar, his brother Anand Sagar in connivance with Champa Devi tried to evict the petitioners. The petitioners then filed a Civil Suit bearing No. 239 of 2012 for declaration of ownership and injunction which is still pending. It also transpired that in 2003, Kalidas executed a sale deed to Champa Devi pertaining to the land Arazi No. 223/1, total area 2720 square ft. situated in the Village Shivdaspur, Police Station-Maduadih, District-Varanasi. Subsequently, Champa Devi executed Satta to Ravindra Sonker and Ashish Sonker. After the death of Champa Devi, her sons Heera Lal and others executed a registered sale deed of 544 square ft. from the said arazi on 15.09.2018. Her son Pyare Lal executed a registered sale deed of his share. After that on 24.09.2018, Heera Lal, Nand Lal, Santosh and Chotey Lal, son of late Shiv Ram executed a sale deed to Ravindra Sonker and his name was entered in the revenue record. The petitioners who are in possession tried to raise construction on the said land due to which there was likelihood of breach of peace and the proceeding under Section 145 Cr.P.C. was initiated by Ravindra Sonker respondent No. 4.

6. On the basis of a Police Report dated 12.11.2020, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Sadar, Varanasi vide order dated 24.11.2020 had passed a preliminary order under Section 145 Cr.P.C. directing both the parties to claim their rights. After having s