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1983 DIGILAW 100 (MAD)

Jose S/o Scaria,Mattathil,Karapadam Payyanadam v. State S. I. of Police, Mannarghat, represented by Public Prosecutor

1983-02-10

U.L.BHAT

body1983
ORDER.- This is a petition fixed under section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking to quash the preliminary order dated 30th December, 1982 passed under section 111 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short the ‘new Code’) by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Ottapalam, in M.C.No. 39 of 1982 against five persons including the present petitioners who figure therein as counter petitioners 3 to 5. It is argued by the learned Counsel for the petitioners that as against petitioners 1 and 2 there are no material allegations made at all and the allegations against the third petitioner is wholly insufficient to initiate action under section 107 of the Code. It is further argued that an order under section 111 of the Code should be preceded by an order evidencing application of mind under section 107 of the Code and since such an order had not been passed in this case, the order under section 111 of the Code is incompetent. 2. The impugned order shows that all the five persons involved in the case are residents of the same locality in a village. The substance of the information quotedin the impugned order refers to six complaints presented in the Mannarghat police Station. The first complaint was by the 4th counter petitioner in the M.C. against the second counter petitioner and others. Petition was enquired into and the offenders were warned. The second petition was by the 4th counter petitioner against the second counter petitioner and his wife for assault. Enquiry showed that it was a family quarrel. Third petition was by the 5th counter petitioner against counter petitioners 1 and 2 complaining of wrongful restraint and assault with hands and sticks. The case was registered, charge-sheeted and the case is now pending trial before the local Magistrate's Court. Fourth. complaint was by strangers against the 5th counter petitioner complaining of attack with chopper. This also ended in charge-sheet and the case is now pending. Fifth complaint was by a stranger against counter petitioners 1 and 2 and the case is under investigation. The last complaint was by 3rd counter petitioner alleging assault and threat with dagger by the 5th counter petitioner. It may, thus, be seen that counter petitioners 3 and 4 were never involved as counter petitioners or as accused in any complaint or case. The last complaint was by 3rd counter petitioner alleging assault and threat with dagger by the 5th counter petitioner. It may, thus, be seen that counter petitioners 3 and 4 were never involved as counter petitioners or as accused in any complaint or case. The 5th counter petitioner was involved in one criminal case which is pending trial. On the basis of the observations of a Full Bench of this Court in Moidu v. State of Kerala1, itis argued by the learned Counsel for the petitioner that the mere fact that the 5th counter petitioner figured as accused in a single criminal case by itself would not justify initiation of proceedings under section 107 of the Code and that the position with regard counter petitioners 3 and 4 is much worse in that they never figured as aggressors in any incident. The question which arose before the Full Bench in the case referred to above was whether involvement in a criminal case was relevant consideration at all in a proceeding under section 107 of the Code. The Full Bench made it clear that such involvement in a case would not be relevant and that what would be relevant is the consideration of the allegations regarding the participation in the criminal incident. While the Full Bench observed that participation in such, an incident would provide the basis for action under section 107 of the Code, it was held that that by itself without anything more may not be sufficient. The question is whether these observations would apply to the facts of the present case. 3. It is true that counter petitioners 3 and 4 (petitioners 1 and 2 herein) did not figure as accused in any criminal case and the impugned order does not contain any allegations to show that they had participated in any incident leading to a criminal case. But there is such an allegation regarding one case with reference to the 5th counter petitioner (3rd petitioner herein). If these averments stand by themselves and without anything more, perhaps, the petitioners’ contention would merit serious consideration. But, in the impugned order there is some more information. It is stated therein that all the parties belong to the same family and that the members of the family have been in conflict with each other. If these averments stand by themselves and without anything more, perhaps, the petitioners’ contention would merit serious consideration. But, in the impugned order there is some more information. It is stated therein that all the parties belong to the same family and that the members of the family have been in conflict with each other. The impugned order mentions that untoward happenings have been occurring due to the frequent conflicts and was affecting the peaceful life of the local people. It is also stated that counter petitioners 1 and 2 are in one faction and the other counter petitioners are in the opposite faction and that both factions are supported by local political parties and other residents of the locality. Therefore, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate came to the conclusion that there is every probability of clashes leading to disturbance of peace. These averments, it appears, are prima facie sufficient to support initiation of the proceedings. At any rate, this is a matter which could be urged by the petitioners before the learned Magistrate in the course of the enquiry under section 116 of the Code. This cannot be treated as sufficient ground for invoicing section 482 of the Code. 4. The learned Counsel for the petitioners would also contend that before passing the impugned order under section 111 of the Code, the learned Magistrate should have passed a separate order under section 107 of the Code and since such an order has not been passed, the impugned order cannot stand. The learned Counsel also referred to decisions reported in gahir Ahaned v. Ganga Prasad and another1Amalendu Ghosh and others The State of West Bengal3, and Ibrahim v. State4. 5. It is necessary to understand the broad scheme of the provisions inChapter VIII of the Code. Chapter VIII deals with security for keeping the peace and for good behaviour. Sections 106 to 110 deal with various circumstances under which the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, can exercise powers under this Chapter These sections are followed by section 111 which deals with the order to be passed when the Magistrate acts under any of the sections 107 to 110 of the Code. ‘If the persons involved are present in Court section 112 requires the order to be read over to them. ‘If the persons involved are present in Court section 112 requires the order to be read over to them. If the person is not present it is competent to the Magistrate to issue a summons requiring him to appear or where he is in custody, to issue a warrant directing the authorities concerned to bring him before the Court by virtue of section 113. Section 114 requires that every summons or warrant issued under section 113 shall be accompanied by a copy of the order made under section 111, and such copy shall be delivered by the Officer serving or executing such summons or warrant to the person served with, or arrested under, the same. Section 116 requires the Magistrate to conduct an to inquiry regarding the truth of the information on the basis of which he acted. The final order is to be passed in terms’ of section 117 of the Code. 6. We are in this case concerned with sections 107, 111 and 114 of the Code. Sub section (1) of sections 107 states that when an Executive Magistrate receives information that any person is likely to commit a breach of the peace or disturb public tranquility or to do any wrongful act that may probably occasion a breach of the peace or disturb public tranquility and is of opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding, he may, “in the manner hereinafter provided” require such person to show cause why he should not be 2. 2. (1976) 80 C.W.N 933. “ordered” to execute a bond with or without sureties for keeping the peace for such period, not exceeding one year, as the Magistrate thinks fit. Section 111 states that when a Magistrate acting under section 107 or other provisions mentioned therein, deems it necessary to require any person to show cause under such section, he shall make an order in writing setting forth substance of the information received, the a mount of the bond to be executed the terms for which it is to be in force, and the number, character and class of sureties, if any, required. As we have already seen, section 114 requires the copy of the order under section 111 to accompany the suramins or warrant issued under section 113 of the Code. 7. As we have already seen, section 114 requires the copy of the order under section 111 to accompany the suramins or warrant issued under section 113 of the Code. 7. Can it be said on a consideration of these provisions, that the legislature contemplated passing of an order under section 107 of the Code as preliminary to the passing of another order under section 111 of the Code. There is no doubt that the Magistrate derives the power to act by virtue of section 107 of the Code, on his satisfaction regarding the terms and conditions mentioned in the section. He forms an opinion that there are sufficient grounds to proceed. Section 107 does not mention that an order has to be passed. All that it requires is satisfaction to be arrived at by the Magistrate followed by the requiring the person to show cause. Further, section 107 of the Code makes it clear that the person concerned is to be required to show case in “the manner hereinafter provided.”. The act requiring to show cause must be performed in the manner “hereinafter provided”. That provision is contained in section 111 which states that when the Magistrate acting under section 107 deems it necessary to require a person to show cause, he shall pass on order in writing. That order must contain matters enumerated in section 111 of the Act such as the substance of the information received, the amount of the bond to be executed, etc. Section 114 of the Code also refers only to an order under section in of the Code and makes no reference to an order under section 107. It is, therefore, clear that the Magistrate is to form an opinion or arrive at satisfaction by virtue of the power conferred on him under section 107 of the Code and once he arrives at such a satisfaction and decides to take action, he has to proceed in the manner provided “hereinafter” that is, as provided in section 111 of the Code. It is section 111 of the Code alone which contemplates an order to be passed by the Magistrate and it is that order which should a company summons or warrant under section 114 of the Code or must be read out to the person under section 112 if he is present. It is section 111 of the Code alone which contemplates an order to be passed by the Magistrate and it is that order which should a company summons or warrant under section 114 of the Code or must be read out to the person under section 112 if he is present. The broad pattern of these provisions clearly indicates that the Magistrate is to pass only one order before the enquiry and that is the order as required under section 111 of the Code. Of course, at the termination of the enquiry he has to pass another order, viz., one under section 117 of the Code. No order is to be passed under section 107, as preliminary’ to the order under section 111 of the Code. I am, therefore, unable to accept the contention of the learned Counsel for the petitioner that there should have been an order under section 107 of the Code preceding the impugned order of that in the absence of such an order the impugned order cannot stand. 8. I shall briefly refer to the various decisions referred to by the learned Counsel for the petitioners. The earliest is the decision of the Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court in Zahir Ahmed's case1. It was argued before the Court that apart from the order under section 112 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (for short the old ‘code’) (corresponding to section 111 of the new Code), a notice must be issued containing the substance of the information, etc. The Court held that apart from reading out a copy of the order to the person present or sending a copy of the order along with the summons or warrant to the person not present, no separate notice is to be issued. The Court did not consider the question whether separate order under section 107 of the old Code as distinct from an order under section 112 of the old Code was necessary. In Amalendu Ghosh's case2, a single Bench of the Calcutta High Court held that the order initiating proceedings under section 107 of the Code is not an interlocutory order within the meaning of section 397 (2.) of the Code. This decision also does not state that besides an order as contemplated under section 111 the present Code, there must be a preceding order purported to be passed under section 107 of the Code. This decision also does not state that besides an order as contemplated under section 111 the present Code, there must be a preceding order purported to be passed under section 107 of the Code. This decision came up for consideration before a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court in Bishnupoda Jana's case1. In that case the Magistrate ordered drawing up of proceedings under section 107 of the Code. The proceeding was drawn up in separate sheet sent by the Magistrate in the form of notice to show cares. It was held that show cause notice forming part of the record could be considered as an order made in compliance with section 111 of the Code as it fulfilled all the requirements of section 111 of the Code. This decision also does not support the contention put forward in this case. 9. Considerable reliance is placed on certain observations of this Court in Ibrahim v. State2. The question which came up for consideration in that case was whether when a person is summoned to appear before a Magistrate he could be asked to execute an interim bond even before the commencement of the enquiry. The Court held that could not be done. The Court did not have occasion, to consider whether two separate orders under sections 107 and 112 of the old Code were necessary. While considering the broad scheme of chapter 8 of the Code Bhaskaran, J., stated as follows: “A person is required to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond with or without sureties for keeping peace or good behaviour for such a period as mentioned in the order either under section 107 or 110, Criminal Procedure Code, as the case may be. A further order under section 112 has to be passed setting forth the substance of the information received, the amount of the bond to the executed, the term for which it has to be in force and number, character and class of sureties, if and required.” As already indicated, the question whether two separate orders were necessary or one order would be sufficient did not arise for consideration at all in this case; or was this particular question purported to be decided therein It is difficult to accept that in the above observations, this Court intended to lay down a broad preposition of law as canvassed by the learned Counsel for the petitioners. I find no legal defect in the impugned order. 10. In the result, the Criminal M.C. is dismissed. M.C.M. ----- Criminal miscellaneous case dismissed.