Selvaraj v. Selvi

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 27.11.2019

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and Crl.M.P.(MD)Nos.9745 & 9746 of 2019

1. Selvaraj

2. Naganathan

3. Anandhakumar

4. Karthigai Selvi

5. Rajeswari

6. Soundranayaki ... petitioners -VsSelvi ... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original petition filed under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure, to Call for the records pertaining to C.C.No.287 of 2018 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli and quash the same.

For petitioners : Mr.K.Arunraj

O R D E R

This Criminal Original petition has been filed to quash the proceedings in C.C.No.287 of 2018 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the respondent initially lodged a private complaint and it was referred under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C.. On the direction, the Inspector of Police, Ponmalai, registered the case in Crime No.246 of 2017 for the offences under Sections 147, 294 (b) and 323 I.P.C., subsequently, it was closed as mistake of fact. Thereafter, the respondent filed a private complaint and the said complaint taken cognizance in C.C.No.287 of 2018, the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli and summons were issued for the offence under Section 138 of N.I. Act. The summon is noway connected with the allegation as alleged by the respondent.

3. In this regard, this Court called for the report from the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli. The learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli, on 26.11.2019 clarified that the Record Keeper wrongly written the offence under Section 138 N.I.Act instead of under Sections 147, 294(b), 323 and 506(i) I.P.C. 1/3

Thereafter, fresh summons were also sent to the petitioners, therefore, this Court finds no ground to quash the entire proceedings in C.C.No.287 of 2018. 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.

4. Recently, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India held in respect of the very same issue in Crl.A.No.1572 of 2019 - 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 appellant-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."

2/3

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

5. In view of the above discussions, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also dismissed. It is seen that the proceedings in C.C.No.287 of 2018, is pending from the year 2018. Therefore, the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli, is directed to complete the proceedings, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6.At this juncture, the learned Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the presence of the petitioners before the Trial Court may be dispensed with.

7.Accepting the said submission, the personal appearance of the petitioners are dispensed with and they shall be represented by a counsel after filing appropriate application. The petitioners shall be present before the Court at the time of furnishing of copies, framing charges, questioning under Section 313 Cr.P.C. and at the time of passing judgment. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar // True Copy // Sub Assistant Registrar(CS ) Ls To

1. The Judicial Magistrate No.V, Tiruchirappalli.

+1 CC to Mr.K. ARUNRAJ, Advocate ( SR-101910[F] dated 27/11/2019 ) 27.11.2019 MK (03.01.2020) 3P 3C 3/3