Research › Browse › Judgment

Allahabad High Court · body

1910 DIGILAW 274 (ALL)

Emperor v. Muhammad Alam

1910-07-15

CHAMIER

body1910
JUDGMENT : CHAMIER, J. This is a reference by the Sessions Judge of Farrukhabad in which he recommends that an order of the Joint Magistrate of Farrukhabad ordering one Muhammad Alam to pay a fine of Rs. 50 under section 2 of Bengal Regulation No. VI of 1825 be set aside. The case was taken up at the instance of the Sub-Divisional Officer, on whose report the District Magistrate directed that Muhammad Alam should be prosecuted under the section of the Regulation mentioned above. The case was made over to the Joint Magistrate by the District Magistrate, who was also of course the Collector of the district. According to section 2 of the Regulation it is only the Collector or other officer acting in that capacity that can impose a fine under that section. Section 4 provides for the levying of fine by the Collector as if it were arrears of public revenue, and section 5 of the Regulation gives a right of appeal to the Board of Revenue. It seems to be quite clear that proceedings cannot be taken under the Regulation by a Magistrate as such. The Joint Magistrate was not a Collector or other officer acting in that capacity within the meaning of the Regulation, and therefore had no jurisdiction under that section. But as he dealt with the case as a Magistrate, the Sessions Judge was entitled to deal with the case under section 435 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and this Court has power to set aside the order of the Joint Magistrate. The order of the Joint Magistrate is therefore set aside as having been passed without jurisdiction. The fine, if realized, will be refunded.