Kerala High Court
Pius Clement vs State Of Kerala on 23 April, 2024
Author: P.V.Kunhikrishnan
Bench: P.V.Kunhikrishnan
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
TUESDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF APRIL 2024 / 3RD VAISAKHA, 1946
CRL.MC NO. 3313 OF 2024
CRIME NO.560/2024 OF PALLURUTHY POLICE STATION, ERNAKULAM
AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT DATED 26.03.2024 IN CMP NO.715
OF 2024 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS -II, KOCHI
PETITIONER(S)/PETITIONER:
PIUS CLEMENT
AGED 52 YEARS, S/O JOSEPH, PANICKAVEETTIL HOUSE,
PERUMPADAPPU, PALLURUTHY.P.O, KOCHI,
ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PIN - 682 006
BY ADVS.
T.P.SANTHOSH KUMAR
C.H.ABDUL RASAC
RESPONDENT(S)/COMPLAINANT/STATE:
STATE OF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682 031
BY ADV.
SMT. SHEEBA THOMAS, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 23.04.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE
FOLLOWING:
CRL. M.C. NO.3313 OF 2024
2
P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J.
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Crl.M.C. No.3313 of 2024
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Dated this the 23rd day of April, 2024
ORDER
This Criminal Miscellaneous Case is filed challenging Annexure-2 order by which an application under Section 451 Cr.P.C. is dismissed.
2. The petitioner is aggrieved by Annexure-2 order, passed by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Kochi by which an application under Section 451 of Cr.P.C. is dismissed. According to the petitioner, he is the owner of Goods Carrier (Tanker) bearing registration No.KL-41-D-7740. The above case is registered against the petitioner alleging offences punishable under Sections 269, 278 of IPC and also under Section 120(e) of the Kerala Police Act. CRL. M.C. NO.3313 OF 2024 3 The vehicle was seized in connection with the above crime and produced before the court. It is alleged that the vehicle is used for dumping sewage waste into the drainage. The petitioner filed an application under Section 451 of Cr.P.C. to release the vehicle, but the learned Magistrate dismissed the application as per Annexure-2 order. Aggrieved by the same, this Criminal Miscellaneous Case is filed.
3. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.
4. The learned Magistrate dismissed the petition filed under Section 451 of the Code mainly for the reason that the allegation against the accused is very serious and the learned Magistrate also observed that considering the spirit of the order of this Court in W.P.(C). No.7844/2023, the petitioner is not entitled interim custody. I think, there is some force in the above finding of the learned Magistrate. CRL. M.C. NO.3313 OF 2024 4
5. But, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that the vehicle is the livelihood of the petitioner and he is ready to comply any conditions imposed by this Court. It is also submitted that the vehicle is now parked in an open place and if it is continued to be there, it will be damaged. The Public Prosecutor opposed the petition and supported the order passed by the learned Magistrate.
6. After hearing both sides, I think, the vehicle can be released after imposing stringent conditions. In Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai v. State of Gujarat (AIR 2003 SC 638), the Apex Court held that powers under Section 451 Cr.P.C. should be exercised expeditiously and judiciously after imposing appropriate conditions. I am of the considered opinion that, the learned Magistrate can be directed to release the vehicle, after imposing the conditions mentioned in Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai's case CRL. M.C. NO.3313 OF 2024 5 (supra).
Therefore, this Criminal Miscellaneous Case is disposed of in the following manner:
1. Annexure-2 order is set aside.
2. The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court -
II, Kochi is directed to release the vehicle bearing registration No.KL-41-D-7740, after imposing the conditions mentioned in Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai v. State of Gujarat (AIR 2003 SC 638).
3. The petitioner shall not transfer the vehicle without the permission of the Court.
4. The petitioner shall not commit similar offence in future and if such offence is committed, the Police Authorities are free to approach the lower court and the lower court can pass appropriate orders to CRL. M.C. NO.3313 OF 2024 6 repossess the vehicle, even though this order is passed by this Court.
Sd/-
P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
nvj JUDGE
CRL. M.C. NO.3313 OF 2024
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APPENDIX OF CRL.MC 3313/2024
PETITIONER ANNEXURES
ANNEXURE 1 A TRUE COPY OF THE RC BOOK OF THE
VEHICLE BEARING NO. KL 41-D-7740 ANNEXURE 2 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN CMP.NO.
715/2024 OF JFCM-II, KOCHI DATED 26.03.2024 RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS :NIL //TRUE COPY// PA TO JUDGE