Elumalai v. Pons Siyamala

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 13.03.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN Crl.O.P.No.5642 of 2020 and Crl.M.P.Nos.3197 and 3199 of 2020 Elumalai ... Petitioner Vs Pons Siyamala ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petitions filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C, to call for the records pertaining to the complaint in D.V.C.No.12 of 2017 on the file of Judicial Magistrate-II, Puducherry and quash the same.

For Petitioner : Mr.Ashok Kumar

ORDER

This petition has been filed to call for the records pertaining to the complaint in D.V.C.No.12 of 2017 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate-II, Puducherry and quash the same. 2.

The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. The marriage between petitioner and the respondent was solemnized on 21.05.2004. Due to matrimonial disputes the respondent and her husband/petitioner were living separately from the matrimonial home. Under this circumstance, the respondent herein filed a petition under Domestic Violence Act in D.V.C.No.12 of 2017 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate-II, Puducherry, and implicated the petitioner as parties to the petition and sought action as against them under Domestic Violence Act. The said D.V.C.No.12 of 2017 is pending for trial. At this stage, the petitioner herein who are the in-laws of the respondent pray to quash the proceedings in D.V.C.No.12 of 2017. 4.

Heard Mr.Mr.Ashok Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner.

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5.

It is relevant to rely upon the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India passed in Crl.A.No.579 of 2019 dated 02.04.2019 in the case of Devendra Prasad Singh Vs. State of Bihar & Anr., as follows:- " 12.So far as the second ground is concerned, we are of the view that the High Court while hearing the application under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. had no jurisdiction to appreciate the statement of the witnesses and record a finding that there were inconsistencies in their statements and, therefore, there was no prima facie case made out against respondent No.2. In our view, this could be done only in the trial while deciding the issues on the merits or/and by the Appellate Court while deciding the appeal arising out of the final order passed by the Trial Court but not in Section 482 Cr.P.C. proceedings.

13.In view of the foregoing discussion, we allow the appeal, set aside the impugned order and restore the aforementioned complaint case to its original file for being proceeded with on merits in accordance with law.

6.

Recently, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dealing in respect of the very same issue in Crl.A.No.1572 of 2019 dated 17.10.2019 in the case of Central Bureau of Invstigation Vs. Arvind Khanna, wherein, it has been held as follows: "19. After perusing the impugned order and on hearing the submissions made by the learned senior counsels on both sides, we are of the view that the impugned order passed by the High Court is not sustainable. In a petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., the High Court has recorded findings on several disputed facts and allowed the petition. Defence of the accused is to be tested after appreciating the evidence during trial. The very fact that the High Court, in this case, went into the most minute details, on the allegations made by the appellant2/4

C.B.I., and the defence put-forth by the respondent, led us to a conclusion that the High Court has exceeded its power, while exercising its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C.

20.In our view, the assessment made by the High Court at this stage, when the matter has been taken cognizance by the Competent Court, is completely incorrect and uncalled for."

7.

Further the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India also held in the order dated 02.12.2019 in Crl.A.No.1817 of 2019 in the case of M.Jayanthi Vs. K.R.Meenakshi & anr, as follows: "9. It is too late in the day to seek reference to any authority for the proposition that while invoking the power under Section 482 Cr.P.C for quashing a complaint or a charge, the Court should not embark upon an enquiry into the validity of the evidence available. All that the Court should see is as to whether there are allegations in the complaint which form the basis for the ingredients that constitute certain offences complained of. The Court may also be entitled to see (i) whether the preconditions requisite for taking cognizance have been complied with or not; and (ii) whether the allegations contained in the complaint, even if accepted in entirety, would not constitute the offence alleged.

..............

13. A look at the complaint filed by the appellant would show that the appellant had incorporated the ingredients necessary for prosecuting the respondents for the offences alleged. The question whether the appellant will be able to prove the allegations in a manner known to law would arise only at a later stage...................."

The above judgments are squarely applicable to this case and as such, the points raised by the petitioner cannot be considered by this Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C.

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8.

In view of the above discussion, this Court is not inclined to quash the proceedings in D.V.C.No.12 of 2017 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate-II, Puducherry. The petitioner is at liberty to raise all the grounds before the trial Court. The trial Court is directed to complete the trial within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this Order.

8. Accordingly, this criminal original petition is dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar tta To 1.The Judicial Magistrate-II, Puducherry.

2.-do-Thro The Chief Judicial Magistrate II Puducherry Crl.O.P.No.5642 of 2020 aa01/07/2020 4/4