HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
H.G. Mishra, J.
Ganpat Lal
v.
Layakchand.
C. Revn. No. 237 of 1977 against order passed by Shri B. A. Nigam, I Additional District Judge, Gwalior confirming the order passed by Shri S. K. Jain, III Civil Judge, Class II Gwalior;
Decided on : 10-11-1978.
(2) Criminal P. C., 1973 - S. 195 (1) (a) - civil Court passing an order to file complaint -is subordinate to the High Court for purposes of section 115 CPC-revision lies to the High Court on civil side. [Para 10]
(3) Civil P.C., 1908 - S. 115 (2) - order appealable under any law - revision does not lie to the High Court - order passed under section 195 (1) (i) (a) Cr. P.C.-is not appealable -revision lies to the High Court. [Para 10]
(4) Criminal P.C. 1973-Ss.195 (1)(a) & 195 (2) - no appeal lies against an order passed under section 195 (1) (a) - an order for withdrawal of the complaint may be made under section 195 (2). [Paras 9 (vii) & 10]
(5) Criminal P. C., 1973-S. 195(2) - civil Judge passing an order under section 195(1)(a) - is not administratively subordinate to the Additional District Judge - is subordinate to the District Judge-Civil Courts Act, 1958 (MP)-Ss. 14 & 15. [Para 12]
(6) Jurisdiction - order passed by a Court having no jurisdiction-is a nullity-finding of a Court without jurisdiction is no bar in further proceedings - Evidence Act, 1872-S. 44.
[Para 14]
(7) Jurisdiction-'competency' and 'jurisdiction' are synonymous terms. [Para 14]
(8) Words and phrases - words 'jurisdiction' and 'competency' - are synonymous.
[Para 14]
(9) Criminal P. C., 1973 - S. 195(2) - application dismissed by Additional District Judge- order without jurisdiction - application will be deemed to be pending. [Para 15]
(10) Civil P.C., 1908 - S. 24 - application deemed to be pending before the Additional District Judge-scope of section 24.
Application was made under section 195(2) Cr. P.C. before the Additional District Judge. The A.D.J. bad no jurisdiction to entertain such application. Though the A.D.J. dismissed the application it is to be deemed to be pending under section 24, CPC, the High Court may transfer it to the District Judge.
The power of transfer vested in the High Court by section 24, Civil P. C., is not fettered by any conditions. The terms of the section are general. There is no bar to the exercise of powers under section 24 of the Code merely because there is a dispute on the question of jurisdiction. The mere fact that the suit, appeal or other proceeding is finding in a Court not having jurisdiction to dispose of the same cannot oust the jurisdiction of the High Court to transfer it under section 24, Civil P. C. AIR 1955 Nag. 44 relied on. [Para 16]
(11) Criminal P.C., 1973-S. 195(2) - nature of jurisdiction.
Nature of function under section 195(2) of the Code is judicial in character. This provision confers a judicial discretion and not a power to act arbitrarily in the matter of ordering withdrawal or refusal to withdraw the complaint. [Para 18]
Mishra, J :- 1. This is a revision under section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, filed against order dated 25-2-1977, passed by the First Additional District Judge, Gwalior, in Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 38 of 1976, arising out of order dated 29-6-1976. passed by the Third Civil Judge Class II, Gwalior in Execution Case No. 91-A/67-76, ordering criminal prosecution of the decree-holder-applicant under section 195(1)(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the Code) for having committed offence punishable under section 182 of the Indian Penal Code.
2. The facts essential for the decision of the revision are as under:
(i) The decree holder-applicant has obtained a compromise decree for eviction against Guru-Dattamal on 28-8-1968, which provided inter alia that the suit house will be vacated by 13-4-1971. Diwanchand was a consenting party to application for compromise submitted by the parties.
(ii) This decree was put in execution., warrants for possession and attachment were issued. When the warrarnts were being executed, Layakchand, non-applicant (Grand son of Guru Dattamal) caused obstruction in delivery of possession Thereafter, on 12-5-1972, Layak Chand along with Diwan Chand Bhagwandas and Madanlal submitted an application on the ground that they are not bound by the decree. Stay of the execution of decree was also prayed for. Thereupon, the executing Court passed an ex parte order staying the execution of the decree. The decree-holder applicant opposed this application. By order dated 9-10-1972, the Executing Court confirmed the ex-parte stay order on the condition of depositing Rs. 150/- per month as rent until decision of the application.
(iii) Aggrieved by the imposition of the aforesaid condition, the non-applicant Layak Chand along with Diwanchand and Madanlal preferred Civil Revision No. 471 of 1972. In this revision this Court passed an order on 22-12-1972 to the effect that:
"Meanwhile, although the proceeding in the executing Court shall not be stayed, the order of the executing Court directing the petitioners to deposit Rs. 150/- per month as rent shall remain stayed until the disposal of this revision, provided the petitioners furnish solvent security by December 27, 1972, for depositing rent at the rate of Rs. 150/- per month for the period from 12-5-1972 to the date of the decision of this revision, in case the revision is dismissed."
Ultimately, this revision was dismissed by this Court, vide order dated 3rd March, 1976, subject to certain observations made in para 10 thereof.
(iv) Thereafter, the decree-holder submitted an application dated 6-3-1976 to the Executing Court wherein it was stated that the execution proceedings were stayed by the order of the High Court Civil Revision No. 471 or 1972 has been dismissed by the High Court on 3-3-1976. The amount of Rs. 22,303.10 p is due from the judgment debtor and possession has also to be delivered to the decree-holder. Accordingly, it was prayed that warrant for possession of the house and attachment of Immovable property of the Judgment debtor be issued.
(v) On the basis of the aforesaid application, by order dated 19-3-1976 issuance of warrant of delivery of possession and attachment was ordered.
(vi) By application dated 24-3-1976, Layak Chand and other prayed for setting aside of the order of Issuance of warrant on the ground that the execution proceedings had been stayed by the Court. The stay order passed by the Executing Court is still in force and it appears that the decree holder has by practising fraud on the Court obtained order of issuance of warrant.
(vii) The decree-holder also submitted another application under Order 21 rule 35, CPC, praying for execution of the warrant for possession and attachment in absence of the Judgment-debtor. On 24-3-1976; the Executing Court passed orders on the application of the non applicant, as well as the decree-holder to the effect, that the decree-holder has, by suppression of th
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.