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2023 DIGILAW 785 (KER)

Sony Mathai v. Kerala Lok Ayuktha, Represented By Registrar

2023-10-11

A.J.DESAI, V.G.ARUN

body2023
JUDGMENT : A.J. DESAI, J. The challenge in this writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is against the order dated 31.03.2016, passed by the Kerala Lok Ayukta, rejecting an application filed by the Government Pleader on behalf of the appellant, a public servant working as Sub Inspector of Police, Kumily Police Station, Idukki district, arrayed as the first respondent in the complaint. The application was filed questioning the maintainability of a complaint filed by one Jai James, the second respondent herein, before the Lok Ayukta, requesting to take action against the appellant for falsely arraying the complainant as an accused in an FIR. The case put forth by the original complainant before the Lok Ayukta is as under : 2. The original complainant is a practising Advocate and member of the Peerumedu Bar Association. The complainant had defended his client Benoy Mathew in Crime Nos.1644/2013, 1645/2013 and 1646/2013 registered at the Kumily Police Station. Benoy Mathew filed a complaint before the Lok Ayukta alleging that the police personnel in the Kumily Station had harassed him. The Lok Ayukta ordered an investigation into the allegations in the complaint and appointed an Advocate Commissioner for that purpose. As part of the enquiry, the Advocate Commissioner visited Kumily Police Station also. Being the complainant’s Counsel, the 2nd respondent accompanied the Advocate Commissioner. The appellant and other policemen created an unruly scene in the police station and thereafter registered Crime No.372/2014, on the false allegation that the Advocates obstructed the policemen from carrying out their duties and destroyed public property. Even though the 1st respondent was not originally arrayed as accused, his name was incorporated before submitting the FIR in court after two days. Hence, the complaint was filed, alleging that the action of the appellant amounted to maladministration. 3. On receipt of notice from the Lok Ayukta, the appellant appeared and submitted an application through the Government Pleader, challenging the jurisdiction of the Lok Ayukta to decide the complaint. The application came to be dismissed by the impugned order. Hence, this appeal. 4. Learned Advocate appearing for the appellant, i.e., the Sub Inspector, vehemently submitted that the Lok Ayukta has committed error in rejecting the application. He would submit that the Lok Ayukta is not competent to examine whether the allegation that the Sub Inspector had falsely implicated the Advocate, is correct or not. Hence, this appeal. 4. Learned Advocate appearing for the appellant, i.e., the Sub Inspector, vehemently submitted that the Lok Ayukta has committed error in rejecting the application. He would submit that the Lok Ayukta is not competent to examine whether the allegation that the Sub Inspector had falsely implicated the Advocate, is correct or not. He would submit that only a competent court can decide whether the allegations made by the complainant about the false implication are true or not. He further submitted that, under Section 8 (1)(a) read with Clause (b) of II Schedule of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act,1999, the action was undertaken by the Investigating Officer relating to the crime and, therefore, Lok Ayukta has no power to examine this aspect. He, therefore, would submit that the impugned order as well as the complaint filed by the respondent Advocate be quashed and set aside. 5. On the other hand, learned Advocate appearing for the original complainant opposed this petition and supported the observations made by the Lok Ayukta in the order impugned. He would further submit that he has been falsely implicated in the crime only on the ground that his client had filed a complaint against the present appellant. He would also submit that the Lok Ayukta is bestowed with power under Section 7 r/w 8 of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999. He would, therefore, submit that the writ petition be dismissed. 6. We heard the learned Counsel appearing for respective parties. 7. It is an undisputed fact that the complaint made by the respondent Advocate is with regard to the allegation of his false implication in the FIR, registered as Crime No.372/2014 at the Kumily Police Station. In our opinion, the correctness or otherwise of the allegations are to be examined by the competent court. The FIR, in which the petitioner’s name is included as an accused, is prepared and submitted during the course of investigation by the Sub Inspector, who is in charge of the case. Being so, Section 8(1) of the Act, extracted hereunder, assumes relevance; “8. Matters not subject to investigation.- (1) Except as hereinafter provided the Lok Ayukta or an Upa-Lok Ayukta shall not conduct any investigation under this Act, in the case of a complaint involving a grievance in respect of any action, if such action relates to any matter specified in the Second Schedule.” 8. Matters not subject to investigation.- (1) Except as hereinafter provided the Lok Ayukta or an Upa-Lok Ayukta shall not conduct any investigation under this Act, in the case of a complaint involving a grievance in respect of any action, if such action relates to any matter specified in the Second Schedule.” 8. Second Schedule reads as under: (a) Action Taken For The Purpose Of Investigating Crime Relating To The Security Of The State. (b) action taken in the exercise of powers in relation to determining whether a matter shall go to a court or not. (c) administrative action taken in matters which arise out of the terms of a contract governing purely commercial relations of the administration with customers or suppliers except where the complainant alleges harassment or gross delay in meeting contractual obligation. (d) action taken in respect of appointment, removal, pay, discipline, superannuation or other matters relating to conditions of service of public servants but, not including actions relating to claims for pension, gratuity, provident fund or to any claims which arises on retirement, removal or termination of service. (e) grant of honours and awards. 9. In our opinion, the complaint filed by the first respondent would fall under Clause (b) Schedule II to section 8(1) and, therefore, the application filed by the Government Pleader ought to have been accepted. The Lok Ayukta could not have entertained the complaint and ordered investigation, since the grievance is in relation to the action taken by the appellant in his capacity as the officer in charge of the investigation of the crime. The decision whether an information received by him makes out a cognisable offence and the further action to be taken thereon, including registration of crime and filing of FIR in court, is for the investigating officer to decide. Thus, it is for the investigating officer to determine whether the matter shall go to court or not. The allegations regarding delay in the FIR reaching the court and inclusion of the complainant as an accused are matters for the competent court to decide. For the aforementioned reasons, the writ petition is allowed and Ext. P4 order and Ext. P1 complaint are quashed. It is made clear that the second respondent is at liberty to approach the appropriate court/forum for redressal of his grievance.