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1994 DIGILAW 713 (MP)

Pradeep Kumar Dhawan v. State of M. P.

1994-09-22

N.P.SINGH

body1994
JUDGMENT This revision application is directed against the order dated 18.7.1994, framing of the charge under section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code against the applicant" by Xth Addl. Sessions Judge, Jahalpur in Sessions Trial No. 122/87. Shri Ranjan Banerjee, learned counsel for the applicant" has contended that the alleged offence was committed on 6.4.86 much prior to coming into force the provision of law contained in section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code. Section 304-B IPC is the new provision of law and it was inserted in the Indian Penal Code by amendment Act No. 43/86 and it came into force on 9.11.86 and it has no retrospective effect. Therefore, the framing of the charge under section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code cannot be sustained. The contention of Shri Banerjee is well founded. It is well settled that a person cannot be made an accused for an offence which was not an offence under the law when the alleged offence was committed. In the instant case the alleged offence was committed on 6.4.86 whereas section 304-B IPC was brought on the Indian Penal Code by an amendment of the Act which came into force w.e.f. 9.11.86 and it has no retrospective effect. Therefore, the charge could not have been framed against the applicants under section 304-B, IPC for the alleged commission of the offence which took place on 6.4.86. The framing of the charge is bad in law. Reference may be made in the case of Soni Devraj Bhai BabuBhai v. State of Gujrat ( AIR 1991 SC 2173 ). For the reasons mentioned aforesaid, the impugned order framing of the charge under section 304-B, IPC is concerned cannot be sustained. Accordingly it is set aside and in the result the revision petition is allowed. It is, however, made clear that it will be open to the Court below to proceed against the applicants, if any other offence under the law is made out against them.