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2004 DIGILAW 512 (PAT)

Jagat Rai v. State Of Bihar

2004-05-07

MRIDULA MISHRA

body2004
Judgment 1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and the counsel appearing for the State. 2. This application has been filed in a peculiar circumstances for quashing the order dated 10.2.2003, passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Vaishali at Hajipur by which cognizance has been taken under Sections 147, 148, 307 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code. 3. Lalganj PS Case No. 59 of 1981 was instituted with regard to occurrence which took place on 4.1.1981 and after investigation charge-sheet was submitted being charge-sheet No. 85 of 1981 under Sections 147, 148, 307 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code. The matter remained pending for long 22 years and thereafter by order dated 10.2.2003 cognizance has been taken by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Vaishali at Hajipur. It has been submitted by the counsel for the petitioners that the allegations which is made in the FIR do not make out an offence under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. It has also been submitted that the matter remained pending for long 22 years. Parties are gotias and they have also compromised the matter out of the Court and a compromise petition has also been filed before the Court concerned. 4. As the informant is not ready to pursue the matter, the counsel for the petitioners has also stated that even in non-compoundable offence it has been held by the Supreme Court that on account of delay such matters can be compromised. Most surprising aspect of this case is that even after submission of the charge-sheet the Magistrate has kept this matter pending for 22 years for taking cognizance. 5. On consideration of the FIR it is also apparent that the allegations are not sufficient to make out an offence under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. Apart from delay, since the parties have compromised the case and they have also filed compromise petition, there are sufficient ground for quashing the order taking cognizance. 6. Accordingly this application is allowed and the impugned order taking cognizance dated 10.2.2003, passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Vaishali at Hajipur in Lalganj P.S. Case No. 59 of 1981 is hereby quashed.