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2012 DIGILAW 159 (PAT)

Triloki Prasad v. State of Bihar

2012-01-25

ADITYA KUMAR TRIVEDI

body2012
Aditya Kumar Trivedi, J.-Petitioner Triloki Prasad has sought for quashing of First Information Report of Ekama P.S. Case No. 80/2008 registered under Sections 409 and 120 IPC. 2. Briefly stated, Md. Raziuddin, Executive Engineer, Canal Division, Ekma filed written report disclosing therein that petitioner, Triloki Prasad who was posted as Assistant Engineer at present at West Champaran received his service book from the office of Superintending Engineer, Canal Division, Saran, Chapra vide letter no. 1442 dated 25.8.2004 for getting his earned leave from 23.4.2003 to 2.5.2003 sanctioned but he had not deposited the same, Accordingly, he was requested. Further, it has been alleged that petitioner had informed that he had missed the same during the course of traveling and therefore on an order of Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Siwan so communicated vide letter no. 2289 dated 6.8.2008 instant case has been filed. 3. It has been contended on behalf of the petitioner that the allegation whatever been put against the petitioner does not attract any of the penal provision rather in worst case, attracts departmental proceeding. Moreover, the petitioner has retired from his service on due date. Then submitted that there is no allegation against the petitioner that on account of missing of service book he had taken any kind of undue advantage. 4. Further submitted that actually the prosecution was at fault who instead of departmental proceeded with for sanctioning the EL handed it over to petitioner for getting it sanctioned and it was unfortunate for the petitioner that during course of journey, he missed the same alongwith his other valuable articles. Also submitted that department had already constructed duplicate service book and on the basis thereof he had already superannuated on due date. As such, instant FIR is fit to be quashed. 5. On the other hand, Mr. Vijay Bharti, AC to SC-26 opposed and submitted that though there happens to be no allegation against the petitioner that he tried to get undue advantage on account of missing of service book but it is an admitted fact that it was missed at the hands of petitioner and so petitioner is liable for the same. Therefore, registration of case is just, legal and proper. 6. After hearing rival contention and going through the record, it is evident that instant case has been registered on account of missing of service book of the petitioner from his possession. Therefore, registration of case is just, legal and proper. 6. After hearing rival contention and going through the record, it is evident that instant case has been registered on account of missing of service book of the petitioner from his possession. Whether it happens to be missed or illegally retained by the petitioner, is best known to him. However, missing/concealment of the service book when no further allegation of any malpractice/interpolation is there, really attracts any penal provision or it happens to be a case of gross negligence attracting departmental proceeding. It has never been alleged on behalf of the State that any malpractice has been at, the hands of petitioner on account of absence of service book. There is also absence of allegation that on the basis thereof petitioner had succeeded in getting any pecuniary benefit which he was not entitled for. 7. In a decision reported in AIR 1992 SC 604 , State of Haryana & Ors. vs. Bhajan Lal & Ors. The Hon'ble Apex Court has identified following categories including others wherein prosecution can be quashed and those are:- "(1) Where the allegations made in the first information report or the complaint, even if they are taken at their face value and accepted in their entirety do not prima facie constitute any offence or make out a case against the accused. (2) Where the allegations in the first information report and other materials, if any, accompanying the FIR do not disclose a cognizable offence, justifying' an investigation by police officers under Section 156(1) of the Code except under an order of a Magistrate within the purview of Section 155(2) of the Code. (3) Where the uncontroverted allegations made in the FIR or complaint and the evidence collected in support of the same do not disclose the commission of any offence and make out a case against the accused. (4) Where the allegations in the FIR do not constitute a cognizable offence but constitute only a non-cognizable offence, on investigation is permitted by a police officer without an order of a Magistrate as contemplated under Section 155(2) of the Code. (5) Where the allegations made in the FIR or complaint are so absurd and inherently improbable on the basis of which no prudent person can ever reach a just conclusion that there is sufficient grounds for proceedings against the accused. (5) Where the allegations made in the FIR or complaint are so absurd and inherently improbable on the basis of which no prudent person can ever reach a just conclusion that there is sufficient grounds for proceedings against the accused. (6) Where there is an express legal bar engrafted in any of the provisions of the Code or the concerned Act (under which a criminal proceedings is instituted) to the institution and continuance of the proceedings and/or where there is a specific provision in the Code or the concerned Act, providing efficacious redress for the grievance of the aggrieved party. (7) Where a criminal proceeding is manifestly attended with mala fide and/or where the proceeding is maliciously instituted with an ulterior motive for wreaking vengeance on the accused and with a view to spite him due to private and personal grudge." 8. After taking into account the allegation in consonance with the criteria so fixed by the Hon'ble Apex Court as disclosed above, it is evident that the allegation in its present form fulfils criteria no.1, as a result of which it appears to be a fit case wherein FIR should be quashed. 9. Accordingly, the FIR of Ekama P.S. Case No. 68/2008 registered under Sections 409, 420 of the IPC is hereby quashed. Thus, petition is allowed.