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2011 DIGILAW 1797 (RAJ)

Pyare Lal v. State of Rajasthan

2011-08-24

R.S.CHAUHAN

body2011
Hon'ble CHAUHAN, J.—The petitioners are aggrieved by the order dated 5.5.2005 passed by the Sessions Judge, Karauli, whereby the learned Judge has framed the charges for offences under Sections 341, 323, IPC and under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, against the petitioners. 2. Briefly, the facts of the case are that on 4.3.2001, one Babulal lodged a report at Police Station, Karauli, against the petitioners, wherein he claimed that while he was going to his house, near Bhanwar Vilas, Pyare Lal (accused petitioner o.1 before this Court), spit upon him. When he protested, both Pyare Lal and his brother, Ramesh, told him that there is nothing wrong if Pyare Lal's spit fell upon him, as complainant's ancestors used to lift their dirt. When the complainant protested about any comment being made about his ancestors, Pyare Lal, Ramesh and Amit started assaulting the complainant with a stick and belts. When he fell down, they continued to kick him and used words with regard to his caste. It is only upon hearing his hue and cry that Pradeep, Mahendra and Nasir rushed to his rescue. On the basis of this report, a formal FIR was registered for offences under Section 341, 323 IPC and for offence under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. But after a thorough investigation, the police submitted a negative F.R. in favour of the petitioner. However, after considering the protest petition filed by complainant, vide order dated 17.6.2003, the learned trial Court took cognizance against the petitioners. Subsequently, vide order dated 5.5.2005, the learned trial Court has framed the charges against the petitioners. Hence, this petition before this Court. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners has vehemently contended that the order dated 5.5.2005 is a highly mechanical order as the learned Judge has merely observed that "sufficient evidence does exist for framing charges for the offences mentioned above". Therefore, relying on the case of Mohan Lal Rao & Ors. vs. State of Rajasthan (2008(3) RCC 1102), the learned counsel has contended that the learned Judge ought to have passed a reasoned order and should have atleast discussed some evidence produced before it by the prosecution. 4. Therefore, relying on the case of Mohan Lal Rao & Ors. vs. State of Rajasthan (2008(3) RCC 1102), the learned counsel has contended that the learned Judge ought to have passed a reasoned order and should have atleast discussed some evidence produced before it by the prosecution. 4. On the other hand, the learned Public Prosecutor has contended that in the detailed charge order passed by the learned Judge, he has clearly stated the evidence produced by the prosecution. Therefore, it is not an essential requirement that while passing the impugned order, the Judge ought to have expressed his opinion about proceeding against the petitioners. 5. Heard the learned counsel and perused the impugned order. 6. Section 228, Cr.P.C. deals with framing of the charge and is as under : 228. Framing of charge. (1) If, after such consideration and hearing as aforesaid, the Judge is of opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence which- (a) is not exclusively triable by the Court of Session, he may, frame a charge against the accused and, by order, transfer the case for trial to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and thereupon the Chief Judicial Magistrate shall try the offence in accordance with the procedure for the trial of warrant-cases instituted on a police report; (b) is exclusively triable by the Court, he shall frame in writing a charge against the accused. (2) Where the Judge frames any charge under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the charge shall be read and explained to the accused and the accused shall be asked whether he pleads guilty of the offence charged or claims to be tried. 7. A bare perusal of the provision clearly reveals that the Judge has to form "an opinion that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence." Therefore, the Judge is required to express the basis for formation of his opinion. Thus, Section 228, Cr.P.C. does not permit the Judge to pass a bland order by saying that "sufficient evidence exists for framing of the charge for a particular offence". Of course, it is not necessary for the learned trial Court to pass an elaborate order for framing the charge. But, a precise order is required which reveals the application of a judicious mind and the existence of a judicious opinion. 8. Of course, it is not necessary for the learned trial Court to pass an elaborate order for framing the charge. But, a precise order is required which reveals the application of a judicious mind and the existence of a judicious opinion. 8. Moreover, since a charge order is subject to being challenged before the higher Court, it is imperative that the Judge must reveal his judicious mind for framing of the charge. 9. Repeatedly, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that while framing the charge, the learned trial Court can neither act as a Post Office nor as a voice of the prosecution. Therefore, while passing a mechanical order, the learned trial Court behaves more as a Post Office or as the voice of the prosecution. 10. In the present case, the learned Judge has merely observed that having considered the record, there is sufficient evidence for framing charges for offences under Sections 341, 323, IPC and under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, the learned Judge has not discussed the sufficiency of the evidence. Since the said order could be challenged, the learned Judge was required to reveal the basis of his opinion that there is sufficient evidence. Surprisingly, the learned Judge has not revealed even an iota of the basis of his opinion. 11. In the case of Mohan Lal Rao and Ors. (supra), this Court had already opined that it is imperative for the trial Court to reveal its mind while framing the charges. Therefore, the present case is covered squarely by the case of Mohan Lal Rao (supra). 12. Although the learned Public Prosecutor has contended that in the separate charge orders the evidence has been revealed by the learned trial Court, but the said contention is unacceptable. For, in the detailed charge-sheet framed by the trial Court merely refers to the evidence but does not reveal the basis for formation of its opinion. 13. Therefore, this Court has no hesitation in quashing and setting aside the order dated 5.5.2005 and remanding the case back to the learned trial Court to pass a charge order strictly in accordance with law. This petition is, hereby, allowed. 14. 13. Therefore, this Court has no hesitation in quashing and setting aside the order dated 5.5.2005 and remanding the case back to the learned trial Court to pass a charge order strictly in accordance with law. This petition is, hereby, allowed. 14. The Deputy Registrar (Judicial) is directed to send a copy of this judgment to all the District and Sessions Judge, who are requested to bring this judgment to the notice of Judicial Officers working under him.