2022 Supreme(Online)(Kar) 55111
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 9TH DAY OF MARCH, 2022
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P. SANDESH
CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION NO.1172/2021
BETWEEN:
MANJUNATHA
S/O. RANGAPPA
AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS
R/AT NO.11, 2ND MAIN ROAD
BYRASANDRA, JAYANAGAR III BLOCK
BENGALURU 3 560 011.
& PETITIONER
(BY SRI YOGESH G, ADVOCATE)
AND:
STATE OF KARNATAKA
BY THILAKNAGAR POLICE STATION, BENGALURU
REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
BENGALURU-560 001.
& RESPONDENT
(BY SMT.RASHMI JADHAV, HCGP)
THIS CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION IS FILED UNDER
SECTION 397 R/W. SECTION 401 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO SET
ASIDE THE ORDER PASSED BY THE ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL
AND
SESSIONS
JUDGE
(FTSC-1),
BENGALURU,
IN
SPL.C.C.NO.116/2018 ORDER DATED 28.10.2021 AND TO
DIRECT THE HONOURABLE COURT TO RECALL THE SAID
WITNESSES P.Ws.1 AND 2.
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THIS CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION COMING ON FOR
ADMISSION THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:
Though this petition is listed today for admission, with the
consent of both the Counsel, the matter is taken up for final
disposal.
2.
This revision petition is filed under Section 397 read
with Section 401 of Cr.P.C., challenging the order dated
28.10.2021 passed in Spl.C.C.No.116/2018 by the Additional
City Civil and Sessions Judge (FTSC-I), Bengaluru, rejecting the
application filed by the petitioner herein under Section 311 of
Cr.P.C., for recalling of PWs.1 and 2. Hence, the present revision
petition is filed before this Court.
3.
The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner
brought to the notice of this court that a fresh Vakalath was filed
with NOC on 01.10.2021. On the same day, an application was
filed under Section 311 of Cr.P.C., for recalling of P.Ws.1 and 2.
The Trial Court having considered the earlier order dated
22.07.2021 and 13.08.2021 that an accused did not chose to
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cross-examine the witnesses though earlier similar prayer was
allowed and witnesses were recalled with cost of Rs.500/- each
even the counsel for accused was directed not to seek any
adjournment to cross-examine the witnesses as under Section
33 of POCSO Act, victim cannot be recalled frequently. Hence,
rejected the application.
4.
The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner
would submit that the petitioner is having a good case and a fair
opportunity has to be given to the petitioner to cross-examine
the witness. Hence, the revision petition may be allowed.
5.
Per contra, the learned High Court Government
Pleader appearing for the respondent-State would submit that
the Trial Court while rejecting the application assigned the
reasons since earlier also similar application was filed and
allowed and cost was also imposed and did not chosen to cross-
examine the witness. Apart from that, the Trial Court has taken
note of Section 33 of POCSO Act, wherein, the Trial Court says
that the victim cannot be recalled frequently. Hence, the order
does not suffer from any illegality.
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6.
Having heard the respective counsel and on perusal
of the material available on record, particularly, the order sheet,
which is produced before the Court clearly discloses that PWs.1
and 2 were examined before the Trial Court and witnesses were
not cross-examined and accused counsel took time once again
on 13.08.2021. The Trial Court also noted that on perusal of the
order sheet dated 22.07.2021, witnesses were present but the
counsel for accused submitted that his senior suffering from
COVID-19 and he is unable to attend the Court and hence case
was adjourned with a direction to cross examine the witnesses
without fail that too by imposing cost of Rs.500/-. Even on
25.11.2019, 26.02.2020, PWs.1 and 2 were present but the
counsel has not cross examined the witnesses. Even the learned
counsel did not chosen to cross-examine the witnesses and
noted Section 33 of the POCSO Act provides a bar for calling the
victim to the court frequently and Section 35 of the Act,
regarding time bound trial, prayer was rejected and taken as no
cross examination of PWs.1 and 2 vide order dated 13.08.2021.
Once again, an application is filed and the Trial Court taking note
of the order sheet dated 22.07.2021 and 13.08.2021 and also
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imposing cost when the witnesses were not cross examined and
also considering Section 33 of the POCSO Act came to the
conclusion that the victim cannot be recalled frequently.
7.
Having considered the reasoning assigned by the
Trial Court, I do not find any force in the contention of the
learned counsel for the petitioner. The very contention of the
learned counsel for the petitioner is that fresh Vakalath was filed
on 01.10.2021, the same cannot be a ground to recall the
witness when the statute clearly says that the victim cannot be
called before the Court frequently. However, taking into note of
no cross-examination of PWs.1 and 2 and the petitioner is facing
the charges of an offence under Section 354A of IPC as well as
Section 8 of the