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2007 DIGILAW 768 (JHR)

Hanuman Lal Barnwal @ Hanuman Burnwal v. State Of Jharkhand And Janardan Prasad Burnwal

2007-09-25

DHANANJAY PRASAD SINGH

body2007
JUDGMENT D.P. Singh, J. 1. Heard both the sides at length. This petition has been preferred by the petitioners against the order dated 20.6.2006 passed in Bokaro Thermal P.S. Case No. 46 of 2004 by which the prayer for discharge preferred by the petitioners have been rejected. 2. According to learned Counsel the learned court below has failed to consider the materials on record which did not disclose any offence committed by these petitioners for offences under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. It is further submitted that earlier the FIR was lodged under Section 304B, 498A of the Indian Penal Code and 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act in which the police submitted final form showing "Mistake of fact" 3. The learned ACJM, Bermo at Tenughat after considering the materials before it decided to proceed against the petitioners under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code only. The above mentioned facts were reagitated through discharge petition but the trial court by order dated 20.6.2006 refused to entertain them without holding that there were sufficient materials on record to frame charge. In. this context the learned Counsel for the petitioners relied upon and 2004 (3) SCC 425. 4. The learned APP opposed on the grounds that the learned trial court has discussed the materials before it and after due consideration held that there were sufficient materials to frame charge against the petitioners. 5. On perusal of the records, it is apparent that a complaint was lodged by one Janardan Prasad Burnwal against all the six petitioners vide Complaint Case No. 65 of 2004 which was forwarded to Bokaro Thermal Police Station for registration of the case and investigation under Section 156 of the Cr.P.C. The police thereafter investigated the case and the I.0. under the directions of the S.P., Bokaro dated 30,10.2004 submitted final form showing "Mistake of Fact". 6. It is also apparent from the order dated 4.3.2005 that learned ACJM Bermo at Tenughat after perusal of the materials on record held that there were sufficient materials on record to proceed against the accused persons under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code only and cognizance taken Later on the trial court while disposing of the discharge petition preferred by the petitioners under Section 245 Cr.P.C, treating the same under Section 239 Cr.P.C. refused to discharge the petitioners. 7. 7. A number of grounds have been taken by the petitioners in petition, based upon facts not on record that the allegations were false which could be appreciated only by the trial court. 8. According to him the consistent view of the Honble Apex Court is that for framing of charge the trial court should consider whether the evidence available on the record discloses and justify that charge be framed otherwise the trial court may discharge the accused persons. 9. In reply the learned APP relied upon and submitted-that at the time of disposal of the discharge petition under Section 227.228,239,240 and 245 Cr.P.C. the reasons are required to be recorded if discharge order is passed However the charge may be framed without recording reasons for showing why the charges were framed. The relevant portion of the decision regarding this case is as follows: Criminal Procedure Code, 1973- Sections 227,239 & 245 and 228 & 240- Discharge of accused- Requirement of recording of reasons in respect of- Framing of charge, forming of opinion in case of - Difference in the requirements, explained-Reason therefor, explained- Held, the moment discharge order is passed, it is imperative to record reasons- However, charge(s) may be framed without recording reasons for showing why the charge(s) were framed. Criminal Procedure Code, 1973- Sections 228 & 240 and Ch. III (Sections 26 to 35)- Framing of charge and determination of jurisdiction of court- Recording of reasons- Difference in the requirement, explained- Held, though charge(s) can be framed without recording reasons, where a question of jurisdiction is raised, and court is required to adjudicate the same, the court must record reasons relating to the question of jurisdiction. Para 15 of the Judgment is as follows: In Kanti Bhadra Shah v. State of W.B. 12 again the question was examined. It was held that the moment the order of discharge is passed it is imperative to record the reasons But for framing of charge the court is required to form an opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed the offence. In case of discharge of the accused the use of the expression reasons has been inserted in Sections 227, 239 and 245 of the Code, At the stage of framing of a charge the expression used is opinion. The reason is obvious. In case of discharge of the accused the use of the expression reasons has been inserted in Sections 227, 239 and 245 of the Code, At the stage of framing of a charge the expression used is opinion. The reason is obvious. If the reasons are recorded in case of framing of charge, there is likelihood of prejudicing the case of the accused put on trial. It was inter alia held as follows: (SCC pp. 725-26, paras 10-11) 10. It is pertinent to note that this section required a Magistrate to record his reasons for discharging the accused but there is no such requirement if he forms the opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused had committed the offence which he is competent to try. In such a situation he is only required to frame a charge in writing against the accused. 11. Even in cases instituted otherwise than on a police report the Magistrate is required to write an order showing the reasons only if he is to discharge the accused. This is clear from Section 245 As per the first sub- section of Section 245, if a Magistrate, after taking all the evidence considers that no case against the accused has been made out which if unrebutted would warrant his conviction, he shall discharge the accused. As per Sub-section (2) the Magistrate is empowered to discharge the accused at any previous stage of the case if he considers the charge to be groundless. Under both sub sections he is obliged to record his reasons for doing so. In this context it is pertinent to point out that even in a trial before a Court of Session, the Judge is required to record reasons only if he decides to discharge the accused( vide Section 227 of the Code). But if he is to frame the charge he may do so without recording his reasons form showing why he framed the charge. 10. However in the facts of this case, I find that the impugned order does not suffer from alleged irregularity 11. The learned lower court has passed the impugned order, relevant portion of the order is quoted below: Prathmiki Kand Dainiki Evm Uske Sath Sanglan Dastaweji Sachya Ka Parisilan Kiya. Mai Pata Hun Ki Sabhi Cha Abhiyuktgan Ke Viriduh Dhara 498A Ke Liye Kand Dainiki Me Samagri Uplabdh Hai. The learned lower court has passed the impugned order, relevant portion of the order is quoted below: Prathmiki Kand Dainiki Evm Uske Sath Sanglan Dastaweji Sachya Ka Parisilan Kiya. Mai Pata Hun Ki Sabhi Cha Abhiyuktgan Ke Viriduh Dhara 498A Ke Liye Kand Dainiki Me Samagri Uplabdh Hai. On perusal of the case diary and attached documentary evidence, I find that materials are available in the case diary to frame charge under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code against all the six accused persons. Accordingly, he did not find any valid ground to discharge the petitioners. 12. In view of the above speaking order, I do not find that the impugned order require any interference. In the result, this revision petition is found without merit and it is accordingly dismissed.