Citation : 2024 Latest Caselaw 2170 Tel
Judgement Date : 10 June, 2024
THE HON'BLE SMT.JUSTICE K. SUJANA
CRIMINAL PETITION No.9672 of 2023
ORDER:
This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973, by the petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 4 to
quash the proceedings against them in C.C.No.88 of 2021, on the file
of learned Special Sessions Judge for SC/ST-cum-II Additional
District and Sessions Judge at Nalgonda District, for the offences
punishable under Sections 447, 427, 504 and 506 read with 34 of the
Indian Penal Code and Sections 3(1) (f) (g) (r) (s), 3 (2) (va) of the
SC/STs (POA) Amendment Act-2015.
2. Heard Sri M.V.S.Sai Kumar, learned counsel for the
petitioners, Sri S. Ganesh, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the
respondent No.1 and Sri J. Ram mohan Rao, learned counsel for
respondent No.2.
3. The brief facts of the case are that on 04.11.2020 at 10.30
hours respondent No.2 filed complaint stating that the petitioners
were criminally intruded into her Agricultural Lands to an extent of
02.00 acres in Sy.No.540/720/6 and threatened her with dire
consequences. As such, she filed a complaint before the Mattampally
Police Station and after completion of investigation charge sheet was
filed.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that
petitioner-No.1 Company along with other associated companies has
purchased total extent of land measuring Ac.414.25 guntas situated
at Gurrampode Rehabilitation Centre, Pedaveedu Revenue Village,
Mattampally Mandal, Nalgonda District through registered sale deeds
and petitioner No.1-company is in peaceful possession and enjoyment
of the said lands. On 20.08.2015, petitioner No.1-company made an
application to Mandal Revenue Officer for demarcation of boundaries
to its lands. But, the Mandal Revenue Officer is not taking any action
on its representation. Therefore, petitioner No.1-company approached
this Court by filing W.P.No.29433 of 2015 and the same was disposed
of keeping it open for the petitioner therein to submit an application to
the Mandal Revenue Officer, Mattampally Mandal, Huzurnagar,
Nalgonda District and if any such application is made within the
stipulated period, appropriate action be taken by the Mandal Revenue
Officer, Mattampally Mandal, Huzurnagar, Nalgonda District. In view
of the same, Revenue authorities have demarcated the lands and
shown the boundaries.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioners further submitted that
during the process of establishing company, petitioner No.1-company
requested the electricity authorities to provide transformers to the
company land and accordingly the authorities while installing the
transformers, respondent No.2 and other persons demanded money
from the petitioner No.1-company, for which, the company disagreed
and said that company will provide job only, as respondent No.2 and
others have not agreed for the same, lodged a false complaint against
the petitioner No.1-company. He further stated that a member of SC
community weaponize the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for
bringing under preview of the stringent penal law a purely civil
dispute between the parties. As such, he prayed the Court to allow the
petition by quashing the proceedings against the petitioners.
6. On the other hand, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor
opposed the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioners
and prayed the Court to dismiss the Criminal Petition.
7. Having regard to the rival submissions made by both the
parties and material available on record, it appears that there are civil
disputes between the parties. However, civil disputes are not a ground
to quash the proceedings as there are allegations that these
petitioners were threatened the victim. Further Sections 3 (1) (f) (g) (r)
(s) and 3 (2) (va) of the SC/STs (POA) Amendment Act-2015 are
registered against A-1 which requires trial.
8. At this stage, it is pertinent to note the Judgment of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court in State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Surendra
Kori 1, wherein in paragraph No.14 it is held as follows:
"The High Court in exercise of its powers under Section 482
Cr.P.C. does not function as a Court of appeal or revision. This Court
(2012) 10 Supreme Court Cases 155
has, in several judgments, held that the inherent jurisdiction under
Section 482 Cr.P.C., though wide, has to be used sparingly, carefully
and with caution. The High Court, under Section 482 Cr.P.C., should
normally refrain from giving a prima facie decision in a case where the
entire facts are incomplete and hazy, more so when the evidence has
not been collected and produced before the Court and the issues
involved, whether factual or legal, are of wide magnitude and cannot
be seen in their true perspective without sufficient material."
9. In view of the above discussion as well as the law laid down
by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in State of Madhya Pradesh (supra),
this Court does not find any merit in the criminal petition to quash
the proceedings against the petitioner and the same is liable to be
dismissed.
10. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is dismissed.
Miscellaneous applications pending, if any, in this criminal
petition shall standclosed.
____________________________ JUSTICE SMT.K.SUJANA Date:10.06.2024 ssm
Publish Your Article
Campus Ambassador
Media Partner
Campus Buzz
LatestLaws.com presents: Lexidem Offline Internship Program, 2026
LatestLaws.com presents 'Lexidem Online Internship, 2026', Apply Now!