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2011 DIGILAW 2338 (ALL)

Sanjay v. State of U. P. and Others

2011-09-30

KRISHNA MURARI, S.RAFAT ALAM

body2011
Syed Rafat Alam,CJ and Krishna Murari, J.;- By means of this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India the petitioner has sought quashing of the FIR dated 20.8.2011 registered as case crime no.291 of 2011, under Section 420 IPC and Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, Police Station Saidnagli, District J.P. Nagar. 2. We have heard Mrs. Swati Agarwal, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned AGA and also perused the record. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the allegation in the impugned FIR is totally false as prior to lodging of FIR the Supply Inspector, who is the competent authority, had not inspected the shop or godown of the petitioner. 4. On the other hand, learned A.G.A. appearing for the State-Respondents opposed the prayer. 5. Having considered the submission made on behalf of the parties, we are of the view that since the allegations made in the impugned FIR, prima facie, disclose commission of cognizable offence, therefore, there appears to be no reason to quash the same especially, when the investigation is still going on. The contention made on behalf of the petitioners are by way of defence and, therefore, the same cannot be gone into at this stage for the purpose of quashing the FIR. 6. In the case of M.L. Bhatt Vs. M.K. Pandita & others, JT 2002 (3) SC 89, the Apex Court has held that the defence version of the named accused, cannot be looked into and decided at this stage. However, keeping in view the observation made by the Apex Court in the case of Joginder Kumar Vs. State of U.P. & Others, 1994 (4) SCC 260 , wherein their Lordships have held that no arrest should be made unless the investigating agency finds credible evidence collected during the investigation showing the involvement of the accused person or the investigation cannot be completed without effecting the arrest, in that eventuality only the arrest is to be undertaken. Therefore, normally, merely on the allegation without there being any evidence showing involvement of the accused, the recourse of arrest is not to be undertaken. 7. Therefore, normally, merely on the allegation without there being any evidence showing involvement of the accused, the recourse of arrest is not to be undertaken. 7. We are, therefore, of the view that in the facts and circumstances and also having regard to the view expressed by the Apex Court in the case of Joginder Kumar (supra), it would be appropriate to dispose of the writ petition at this stage without expressing any opinion on merits in respect of the allegations made, with the direction that the investigation of the case crime no.291 of 2011, under Section 420 IPC and Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act, Police Station Saidnagli, District J.P. Nagar, shall continue and be concluded expeditiously. However, the petitioner shall not be arrested unless some credible evidence during the investigation is collected showing his involvement provided he cooperates with the investigation and appear before the Investigating Officer as and when called upon. 8. It goes without saying that in the event, the petitioner does not cooperate with the investigation, the petition shall be deemed to have been dismissed and it would be open to the Investigating Officer to take steps in accordance with law. 9. With the above order, the writ petition stands disposed of finally.