Skand (Lal) Kumar Srivastava and 6 Others v. State of U.P. and Another

Court No. - 91 Case :- APPLICATION U/S 482 No. - 34928 of 2023 Applicant :- Skand (Lal) Kumar Srivastava And 6 Others Opposite Party :- State of U.P. and Another Counsel for Applicant :- Dinesh Kumar Singh Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Gajendra Kumar,J. Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned A. G. A. and perused the record. This application under Section 482 Cr. P. C. has been filed by applicants with a prayer to quash the summoning order dated

09.04.2018 pased by C.J.M, Sant Kabir Nagar and order dated

31.05.2023 passed by Addl. District & Sessions Judge (FTC-First) Sant Kabir Nagar and the entire proceedings of Criminal Case No.265 of 2016(now Case No.2478 of 2016) (State Vs. Bahraichi) arising out of Case Crime No. 564 of 2015, under Section 147, 323, 504 I.P.C., P.S. Mahuli, District-Sant Kabir Nagar. It is submitted by learned counsel for the applicants that initially FIR No.0564 of 2015 was filed, however, the investigating officer started investigation and finally after concluding the investigation submitted charge sheet under sections 323 IPC which is non cognizable offence. The main contention of learned counsel for the applicant is that the order of cognizance dated 09.04.2018 is defective as case should have proceeded as a complaint case not as a State case. No observation in the order has been passed by the trial Court while taking cognizance. He further submits that the offence is bailable and non-cognizable as per 1st Schedule of Cr.P.C. and accordingly, the provisions of Explanation to Section 2(d) of Cr.P.C., the charge-sheet filed before the Magistrate is to be treated as complainant and so the order of Magistrate taking cognizance dated 09.04.2018 is liable to be quashed. Per contra, learned A.G.A. though did not dispute the legal position provided in Section 2(d) of Cr.P.C. but contended that the application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing the proceedings of criminal case is malafide and misconceived and is liable to be dismissed. Before proceeding further, the relevant provisions of Section 2 (d) of Cr.P.C. are being reproduced for ready reference as under:- "Section 2(d) of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

¶2Definitions.--In this Code, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(d) "complaint" means any allegation made orally or in writing to a Magistrate, with a view to his taking action under this Code, that some person, whether known or unknown, has committed an offence, but does not include a police report. Explanation.- A report made by a police officer in a case which discloses, after investigation, the commission of a non-cognizable offence shall be deemed to be a complaint; and the police officer by whom such report is made shall be deemed to be the complainant." Upon hearing learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned A.G.A. and perusal of record, I find that it may not be disputed that offences under Section 147, 323, 504 I.P.C. are bailable and non-cognizable and so the provisions of explanation to Section 2(d) are applicable to the case. The Magistrate has taken cognizance without considering the provisions of Section 2(d) Cr.P.C. and its explanation clause. Undoubtedly in view of the provisions of Section 2(d) Cr.P.C., the Magistrate was required to adopt the procedure of a complaint case as provided. In view of the discussions made above, this Court came to the conclusion that impugned order of cognizance and summoning order dated 09.04.2018 upon charge-sheet in a case arising out of FIR in respect of bailable and non-cognizable offences is wrong and incorrect and is liable to be quashed. The application is allowed accordingly and the impugned order dated 09.04.2023 is quashed with a direction to learned Magistrate for passing appropriate order in accordance with law as well as provisions of explanation to Section 2(d) Cr.P.C. Let a copy of this order be sent to court below for proceeding with the case in accordance with law. Order Date :- 16.10.2023 Shiv High Court of Judicature at Allahabad