JAMAN SHAW Vs. BENOY NASKAR
LAWS(CAL)-1960-11-19
HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA
Decided on November 25,1960

Jaman Shaw Appellant
VERSUS
Benoy Naskar Respondents


Referred Judgements :-

<RC>LAWSUIT(CAL) 1960 0 320;ILR(CAL) 1961 2 472;</RC> HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA <JGN>A. C. ROY</JGN> JAMAN SHAW BENOY NASKAR <AT>CRIMINAL REVISION 1111 OF 1959</AT> 25.11.1960 <SUBJECT>CRIMINAL</SUBJECT><SI> INDIAN PENAL CODE,1860 SEC 379;INDIAN PENAL CODE,1860 SEC 391;INDIAN PENAL CODE,1860 SEC 147;INDIAN PENAL CODE,1860 SEC 390;INDIAN PENAL CODE,1860 SEC 395;CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 251A;CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 561A;CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 251A(11);CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 91;CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 555;CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 251;CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 251A(7);CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 251A(6);CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,1898 SEC 227; <ACT>INDIAN PENAL CODE,1860</ACT> <S>S [REFERRED TO]
STATE RAMESWAR TEWARI VS. JAGADISH PANDEY [REFERRED]
JYOTIRMOYEE BOSE VS. BIRENDRA NATH PRODHAN [REFERRED]


JUDGEMENT

- (1.)This is a Rule directed against, an order of acquittal purporting to have been, passed under Sub-section (11) of Section 251A, Code of Criminal Procedure, consequent upon non-appearance of witnesses on the dates fixed for evidence and a question about the procedure to be followed under Section 251A, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the powers and duties of the learned Magistrate under that section has arisen. For appreciation of the point and proper decision there on a short resume of the fact need be given. On June 2, 1958 a complaint was filed by the present Petitioner before the Subdivisional Magistrate, alleging' against 11 opposite north's and 5 others an offence under Section 395 of the Indian Penal Code. The learned Subdivisional Magistrate sent the complaint to the Officer-in-Charge of the Bangolar Police Station for treating the complaint as an F.I.R. and investigating into the case. After investigation the Police submitted a charge-sheet against all the 16 accused persons complained against. Upon that Police report and after perusing the Police papers as is required under Section 251, Code of Criminal Procedure, the learned Magistrate framed charges against the 11 opposite parties on May 7, 1959 for offences under Sections 147 and 379, Indian Pinal Code, and not under Section 395. Indian Pinal Code On that date, i.e., May 7, 1959 the learned Magistrate by his order fixed June 15, 16 and 17, 1959 for evidence and directed issue of summons to prosecution witnesses, "in consultation with C.S.I." obviously for ascertaining names and addresses of the witnesses and summoning them in batches for each of the three days fixed. Summons were issued but no return of service had been received in Court. On June 15, all the 11 accused persons were present but no prosecution witness was present and the learned Magistrate recorded the following order.
(2.)All the eleven accused persons are present. No P.W. present inspite of summons. Tomorrow for P.Ws. as already fixed. Accused as before.
(3.)On June 16 also for the 11 accused persons were, present but neither any prosecution witness nor even the Court Sub-Inspector was present and no steps were taken on that date by the prosecution by filing any petition. In that stage of affairs on June 16, 1959, the learned Magistrate passed an order of acquittal purporting to act under Section 251A(11), Code of Criminal Procedure. The order was in these terms:
All the eleven accused persons are present. No. P.W. present. No C.S.I. present. No petition filed by the prosecution. No P.W. appears, inspite of summons on these 2 dates. The prosecution does not produce any evidence nor is any petition filed showing the reasons (Next page being with) for non-production of witnesses. The prosecution does not appear to be keen on this ease and has failed to produce evidence to substantiate the charges framed against the accused persons. In view of this fact, the charges appear to be groundless. I therefore find all the accused persons not guilty under Sections 147/ 379, Indian Pinal Code, and acquit them under Section 251A(11), Code of Criminal Procedure.



Click here to view full judgement.
Copyright © Regent Computronics Pvt.Ltd.