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1953 DIGILAW 80 (KER)

Nanu Asari v. Thankappan Asari

1953-07-14

SANKARAN

body1953
Judgment :- The petitioner before the lower court at whose instance security proceedings were initiated against the counter-petitioners has filed this petition seeking a revision of the order passed by the Magistrate discharging the counter-petitioners. Even though the lower court's order purports to have been passed under Section 119 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it is seen that the Magistrate has not exercised the jurisdiction vested in him under that section. He has discharged the counter-petitioner for the sole reason that P.W.1 was absent when the case was taken up on two occasions. In the nature of the proceedings, the Magistrate could not drop them or dismiss the same for the mere default of the complainant. The Magistrate has to be satisfied that it is not proved that there are justifiable grounds for ordering the counter-petitioners to execute bonds to keep the peace and if so he has to record that fact and on the basis of that finding, he can pass an order discharging the counter-petitioners. The order of the Magistrate does not show that he had directed his mind to this aspect as required by Section 119. Hence the order as it stands cannot be sustained. This Revision Petition is therefore allowed and the order of the lower Court is set aside and the case sent back to that Court for fresh disposal in accordance with law. Allowed.