Sunita
Jain Vs. Pawan Kumar Jain & Ors. [2008] Insc 97 (25 January 2008)
C.K.
Thakker & D.K. Jain
ARISING
OUT OF SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CRL.) NO. 1362 OF 2004 C.K. THAKKER, J.
1.
Leave granted.
2. The
present appeal is filed against the judgment and order dated October 30, 2003 in Miscellaneous Criminal Case No.
1442 of 1999 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Jabalpur. By the said order, the High Court
allowed the application filed by the respondents-accused under Section 482 of
the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the
Code) and quashed criminal proceedings initiated by the appellant.
3. To
appreciate the controversy raised in the present appeal, few relevant facts may
be noted.
4. The
appellant herein is the wife of Pawan Kumar Jain-respondent No.1. Respondent
Nos. 2 and 3, namely, Poolchand Jain and Smt. Sarojbai Jain are parents of
respondent No.1 and father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively of the
appellant. It is the case of the appellant that she married to respondent No.1
on July 8, 1989. After the marriage, she remained
with her husband for few days at Jabalpur and during that period, her husband and in-laws harassed her as her
father had not given sufficient amount of dowry. They taunted the appellant saying
that had the respondent No.1 married to any other lady, they would have
received dowry amount of Rs.8-10 lakhs. On September 5, 1990, the appellant gave birth to twins.
According to the appellant, the greed of the respondents for dowry was so much
that in 1991, the first respondent went to the extent of getting quality of
gold ornaments given by her father tested by a Goldsmith which were found to be
of good quality. It is also the case of the appellant that on December 14, 1991, marriage of the appellants
younger sister was solemnized at Sagar and respondent No.1 and his father had
come to attend it. At that time also, the respondents demanded car, colour TV
and more gold. When the demand was not met with, the first respondent attacked
the appellant and caused injury to her. In March, 1992, the 1st respondent took
the appellant with him and kept her with his parents at Jabalpur. Even after giving assurance that
she will not be ill-treated, she was physically and mentally tortured for
dowry. The appellant informed her father that her husband and in- laws were
demanding dowry from her and her husband assaulted her and her children had
been taken away and they were not allowed to see the mother (appellant).
5. The
appellant stated that Harish Chandra and Daya Chandra Jain, who were known to
her father, learnt about the miserable condition of the appellant and both of
them informed the father of the appellant in September, 1993 about the plight
of the appellant at her in-laws. One Ram Ratan Jain, who was also knowing the
appellant, persuaded the respondents to behave properly but in vain.
In
May, 1995, again the appellant was assaulted and severely beaten. She was also
compelled to sign a document purported to be a compromise deed between the
appellant and the 1st respondent. The appellant lodged a complaint in Police
Station Civil Lines, Raipur on May 10, 1998 which was registered as Crime No. 738 of 1998. Respondent
No.1 was called at the Police Station and he executed a writing that he would
not ill treat the appellant. The 1st respondent also gave assurance that he
will not use any writing against the appellant said to have been signed by her.
6. In
July, 1995, the 1st respondent was transferred from Raipur to Raigarh and in spite of the
request by the appellant, she was not taken by her husband along with him. On March 8, 1996, the 1st respondent sent a notice
through advocate to father of the appellant stating that he had filed a divorce
petition.
He
further stated that he was ready to pay maintenance to the appellant. On 17th March, 1996, the appellants father brought
the appellant to Sagar. The appellant had to go with her father as the 1st
respondent did not take her with him and had also issued notice for divorce. On
March 20, 1996, the appellant lodged First
Information Report (FIR) in Women Police Station which was registered as Crime
No. 6 of 1996 giving details about physical and mental torture and dowry
demands by respondent No.1 and his family members. According to the appellant,
on July 10, 1996, non-bailable warrants were issued.
In the High Court, however, the 1st respondent made a statement through his
advocate that parties had decided to live together and had settled the dispute
amicably. On that statement being made, bail was granted to respondent No.1 and
his parents.
On September 28, 1996, challan was filed against the
respondents for offences punishable under Sections 498A, 506, 406 read with
Section 34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and also under Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry
Prohibition Act, 1961. On January 30, 1997,
charges were framed against respondent Nos. 1 to 3 (husband, father-in-law and
mother-in-law) and also against brother and sister of respondent No.1.
All
the accused challenged the action of framing of charge against them in the High
Court by filing a Revision Petition. The High Court vide its order dated
October 22, 1997, partly allowed the revision and quashed charges against
brother and sister of respondent No.1.
The
High Court, however, held that so far as other respondents were concerned,
charges could not be quashed and dismissed the petition.
Being
aggrieved by the said order, the respondents approached this Court by filing
Special Leave Petition but even this Court dismissed the SLP on February 23, 1998. The respondents then once again
filed a petition in the High Court by invoking Section 482 of the Code on February 23, 1999. The appellant filed her reply to
the said petition. The High Court vide the impugned order, allowed the petition
holding that there was abuse of process of law by the appellant in initiating
criminal proceedings. The proceedings were, therefore, quashed. The said order
is challenged in the present appeal.
7.
Notice was issued by this Court on April 5, 2004. Several adjournments were taken by
the parties so that the matter can amicably be settled. The matter, however,
could not be settled and was ordered to be posted for final hearing.
8. We
have heard learned counsel for the parties.
9. The
learned counsel for the appellant submitted that grave and serious error has
been committed by the High Court in quashing the proceedings. He submitted that
once the proceedings had been initiated in accordance with law and the Court
was satisfied that prima facie case was made out, charge was framed and the said
action was upheld by the High Court as well as by this Court, it was not open
to the High Court to quash the proceedings on the ground that there was abuse
of process of Court. Such an order could not have been made by the High Court
in the light of the order passed by this Court.
10. It
was also submitted that the High Court has virtually reviewed its earlier
order.
There
is no power of review in a Court exercising criminal jurisdiction under the
Code and such order is illegal and without jurisdiction. A grievance was also
made that once this Court upheld framing of charge against respondent Nos. 1 to
3, the High Court could not have held that the proceedings were initiated mala
fide or there was abuse of process of Court. Such order, in the teeth of order
passed by this Court, was totally illegal, unwarranted and must be set aside.
11.
The learned counsel for respondent Nos. 1 to 3 supported the order of the High
Court. He submitted that considering the totality of facts and circumstances,
the High Court passed the impugned order which is strictly in consonance with
law. It was urged that taking into account, overall conduct of the appellant
and actions taken by her against the 1st respondent-husband and his family
members in the light of subsequent facts which were brought to the notice of
the Court, the Court was satisfied that it was in the interest of justice to
quash the proceedings. Such an action cannot be said to be illegal or improper.
It was also stated that two children were born in 1990 but she had never taken
interest nor even seen them after 1990. Both the children are with the
respondents and they are very happy. According to the respondents, there was no
demand of dowry either by respondent No.1 or by his family members and a
totally false and concocted complaint was filed against them and the Court was
convinced that the action had been taken by the appellant to harass the
respondents and the proceedings were liable to be quashed. Finally, it was
submitted that this Court may not exercise equitable jurisdiction under Article
136 of the Constitution in favour of the appellant.
12.
Having given anxious consideration to the rival submissions of the parties, in
our view, the High Court was wrong in quashing the proceedings. From the facts
noted hereinabove, it is clear that a complaint was lodged by the petitioner
against respondent Nos. 1 to 3 as also against other accused for offences
punishable under Sections 498A, 342 and 406, IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry
Prohibition Act. The trial Court satisfied that prima facie case was made out
and accordingly charges were framed against respondent Nos. 1 to 3 as well as
against other accused. In a petition challenging that action, the High Court
partly allowed the petition vide its order dated October 22, 1997 and quashed
charges against brother-in-law and sister-in-law of the appellant herein but
upheld the order of framing of charge against the remaining respondents i.e.
respondent Nos. 1 to 3.
Respondent
Nos. 1 to 3 challenged the order of the High Court by approaching this Court.
It was registered as Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 509 of 1998. On December
23, 1998, this Court dismissed the special leave petition by passing the
following order:
We
are not inclined to interfere with the order of the High Court dated 22.10.1997
framing charges against the petitioner. The SLP (Crl.) No. 509/98 is dismissed.
So far as order dated 28.11.97 is concerned refusing to transfer the
proceedings, issue notice. Pending proceedings before the C.J.M. Sagar, is
stayed.
13. It
is thus, clear that all the Courts including this Court were of the view that
there was prima facie case for framing of charge against the respondents
herein. It appears that thereafter the parties tried for amicable settlement of
the matter again. The Court was also informed that the parties had almost
settled the matter and negotiations were going on with regard to amount to be
paid to the wife. The respondent No.1-husband offered Rs.7.50 lakhs towards
full and final settlement. According to the respondents, the petitioner-wife
insisted for more amount. The efforts of settlement thus failed. It has also
come on record that appellant-wife filed a suit against the husband for
compensation of Rs.20 lakhs in the Court of First Addl. Judge, Sagar.
A
Revision Petition filed by respondent Nos. 1 to 3 was allowed by the High Court
and it was held that Sagar Court had no territorial jurisdiction to entertain
the suit. After the order passed by this Court in August, 1998, respondent Nos.
1 to 3 again moved the High Court under Section 482 of the Code for quashing of
criminal proceedings. The High Court in the impugned order noted that earlier
the respondents had approached the Court against framing of charge and the said
action was not interfered with even by the Supreme Court. But observing that
a Court of law cannot be expected to remain a silent spectator and cannot
be made a tool of gratifying personal vengeance of any party, it held that
the case in hand was a fit one to exercise inherent power under Section 482 and
accordingly the proceedings were ordered to be quashed. The Court, for coming
to the said conclusion, relied upon certain decisions of this Court.
14. In
Madhu Limaye v. State of Maharashtra, (1977) 4 SCC 551, an interlocutory order
was passed by a Court subordinate to the High Court against which Revision
Petition was filed. It was contended that sub-section (2) of Section 397 barred
exercise of revisional powers in relation to any interlocutory order
passed in an appeal, inquiry, trial or in any other proceeding. Since the
order was interlocutory in nature, revision petition was not maintainable. This
Court held that even where an order cannot be challenged in revision, inherent
powers under Section 482 of the Code could be exercised by the High Court in
appropriate cases.
15.
This Court stated:
On
a plain reading of Section 482, however, it would follow that nothing in the
Code, which would include sub-section(2)of Section 397 also, shall be
deemed to limit or affect the inherent powers of the High Court. But, if
we were to say that the said bar is not to operate in the exercise of the
inherent power at all, it will be setting at naught one of the limitations
imposed upon the exercise of the revisional powers. In such a situation, what
is-the harmonious way out? In our opinion, a happy solution of this problem
would be to say that the bar provided in sub-section (2) of Section 397
operates only in exercise of the revisional power of the High Court, meaning
thereby that the High Court will have no power of revision in relation to any
interlocutory order.
Then
in accordance with one of the other principles enunciated above, the inherent
power will come into play, there being no other provision in the Code for the
redress of the grievance of the aggrieved party. But then, if the order
assailed is purely of an interlocutory character which could be corrected in
exercise of the revisional power of the High Court under the 1898 Code, the
High Court will refuse to exercise its inherent power. But in case the impugned
order clearly brings about a situation which is an abuse of the process of the
Court or for the purpose of securing the ends of justice interference by the
High Court is absolutely necessary, then nothing contained in Section 397(2)
can limit or affect the exercise of the inherent power by the High Court. But
such cases would be few and far between. The High Court must exercise the
inherent power very sparingly. 16. The High Court also referred to G.V. Rao
v. L.H.V. Prasad & Ors., (2000) 3 SCC 693 wherein this Court considered the
object underlying marriage as sacred ceremony and to end the dispute amicably
between the parties by pondering over differences and misunderstandings. It was
observed that the parties should not litigate by instituting criminal cases
which would take long time and in that process, lose their young days
in chasing their cases in different Courts. The Court, therefore, observed that
such matters should be settled immediately.
17. In
B.S. Joshi & Ors. v. State of Haryana & Anr., (2003) 4 SCC 675,
proceedings for offences punishable under Sections 498A and 406, IPC were
quashed. It was observed that Section 320 of the Code relating to
compounding of offences would not limit the power of the High Court
under Section 482 of the Code and if the High Court is satisfied that the
proceedings were initiated mala fide and there is abuse of process of law, they
can be quashed. Referring to earlier judgments, the Court held that there are
special features in matrimonial matters and it is the duty of the Court to
encourage genuine settlement of matrimonial disputes.
18.
Discussing the underlying object of inserting Chapter XXA (Section 498A) in the
Indian Penal Code, the Court stated:
There
is no doubt that the object of introducing Chapter XX-A containing Section
498-A in the Indian Penal Code was to prevent torture to a woman by her husband
or by relatives of her husband. Section 498-A was added with a view to
punishing a husband and his relatives who harass or torture the wife to coerce
her or her relatives to satisfy unlawful demands of dowry. The hypertechnical
view would be counterproductive and would act against interests of women and
against the object for which this provision was added. There is every
likelihood that non-exercise of inherent power to quash the proceedings to meet
the ends of justice would prevent women from settling earlier. That is not the
object of Chapter XX-A of the Indian Penal Code.
19. In
spite of best efforts by the learned counsel for the respondents, we are unable
to persuade ourselves to hold that after the order passed by this Court
dismissing Special Leave Petition upholding framing of charge against
respondent Nos. 1 to 3, the High Court could have exercised power under Section
482 of the Code quashing criminal proceedings initiated by the appellant. The
High Court observed that even after dismissal of SLP by this Court, it was open
for the Court to consider the prayer of the accused to quash prosecution in
exercise of inherent powers because the extraordinary jurisdiction under
Section 482 of the Code may be exercised at any stage.
20. To
us, the learned counsel for the appellant is right that in substance and in
reality, the High Court has exercised power of review not conferred by the Code
on a Criminal Court. Section 362 of the Code does not empower a Criminal Court
to alter its judgment. It reads thus:
362.
Court not to alter judgment:- Save as otherwise provided by this Code or by any
other law for the time being in force, no Court, when it has signed its
judgment or order disposing of a case, shall alter or review the same except to
correct a clerical or arithmetical error.
(emphasis
supplied)
21.
The section makes it clear that a Court cannot alter or review its judgment or
final order after it is signed except to correct clerical or arithmetical
error. The scheme of the Code, in our judgment, is clear that as a general
rule, as soon as the judgment is pronounced or order is made by a Court, it
becomes functus officio (ceases to have control over the case) and has no power
to review, override, alter or interfere with it.
22. No
doubt, the section starts with the words Save as otherwise provided by
this Code. Thus, if the Code provides for alteration, such power can be
exercised. For instance, sub-section (2) of Section 127. But in absence of
express power, alteration or modification of judgment or order is not
permissible.
23. It
is also well settled that power of review is not an inherent power and must be
conferred on a Court by a specific or express provision to that effect. [Vide
Patel Narshi Thakershi & Ors. v. Shri Pradyumansinghji Arjunsinghji, (1971)
3 SCC 844] No power of review has been conferred by the Code on a Criminal
Court and it cannot review an order passed or judgment pronounced.
24. In
Hari Singh Mann v. Harbhajan Singh Bajwa & Ors., (2001) 1 SCC 169, this
Court held that a High Court has no jurisdiction to alter or review its own
judgment or order except to the extent of correcting any clerical or
arithmetical error. It deprecated the practice of filing Criminal Miscellaneous
Petitions after disposal of main matters and issuance of fresh directions in
such petitions.
25.
The Court said;
Section
362 of the Code mandates that no court, when it has signed its judgment or
final order disposing of a case shall alter or review the same except to
correct a clerical or an arithmetical error. The section is based on an
acknowledged principle of law that once a matter is finally disposed of by a court,
the said court in the absence of a specific statutory provision becomes functus
officio and disentitled to entertain a fresh prayer for the same relief unless
the former order of final disposal is set aside by a court of competent
jurisdiction in a manner prescribed by law. The court becomes functus officio
the moment the official order disposing of a case is signed. Such an order
cannot be altered except to the extent of correcting a clerical or an
arithmetical error.
26. In
the case on hand, charges were framed against respondent Nos. 1 to 3 and the
said order was affirmed by the High Court and by this Court. It is no doubt
true that thereafter there was a talk of settlement between the parties which
could not be materialised. It is also true that the appellant filed a suit for
compensation of Rs.20 lakhs against the husband and in-laws. In our considered
opinion, however, that would not confer jurisdiction on the High Court to quash
criminal proceedings when the action of framing of charge against the
respondents had been upheld by this Court. The order impugned in the present
appeal is thus clearly illegal, improper, contrary to law and deserves to be
set aside.
27.
The learned counsel for the appellant contended that virtually the High Court
sat over the decision of this Court and exercised appellate power by upsetting
the order of the Court of framing charge against the respondents. The counsel,
in this connection, referred to Jharia s/o Mania v. State of Rajasthan & Anr.,
(1983) 4 SCC 7. In that case, the accused was convicted by a Sessions Court for
an offence punishable under Section 302 read with Section 34, IPC. The order of
conviction and sentence was confirmed by the High Court as well as by this
Court.
Thereafter,
a substantive petition under Article 32 of the Constitution was instituted by
the accused for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the State to forbear
from giving effect to the judgment of all Courts including this Court. A
declaration was also sought that the conviction was illegal and his detention
in jail was without the authority of law and violative of Fundamental Rights.
28.
Dismissing the petition, this Court observed:
We
fail to appreciate the propriety of asking for a declaration in these
proceedings under Article 32 that conviction of the petitioner by the High
Court for an offence punishable under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the
Indian Penal Code is illegal, particularly when this court has declined to
grant special leave under Article 136. Nor can the petitioner be heard to say
that his detention in jail amounts to deprivation of the fundamental right to
life and liberty without following the procedure established by law in
violation of Article 21 read with Articles 14 and 19. When a special leave
petition is assigned to the learned Judges sitting in a Bench, they constitute
the Supreme Court and there is a finality to their judgment which cannot be
upset in these proceedings under Article 32.
Obviously,
the Supreme Court cannot issue a writ, direction or order to itself in respect
of any judicial proceedings and the learned Judges constituting the Bench are
not amenable to the writ jurisdiction of this court.
29.
Even if we may not go to the extent that the High Court ventured to sit over
the order passed by this Court in quashing the proceedings, in our considered
opinion, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the High Court was
not justified in invoking Section 482 of the Code and in quashing prosecution
against the respondents.
30.
Moreover, it is well-settled that inherent power under Section 482 of the Code
must be exercised in rarest of rare cases.
Before
more than four decades in the leading case of R.P. Kapur v. State of Punjab, (1960) 3 SCR 388, this Court
stated:
It is
well-established that the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court can be
exercised to quash proceedings in a proper case either to prevent the abuse of
the process of any court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. Ordinarily
criminal proceedings instituted against an accused person must be tried under
the provisions of the Code, and the High Court would be reluctant to interfere
with the said proceedings at an interlocutory stage. It is not possible,
desirable or expedient to lay down any inflexible rule which would govern the
exercise of this inherent jurisdiction. However, we may indicate some
categories of cases where the inherent jurisdiction can and should be exercised
for quashing the proceedings. There may be cases where it may be possible for
the High Court to take the view that the institution or continuance of criminal
proceedings against an accused person may amount to the abuse of the process of
the Court or that the quashing of the impugned proceedings would secure the
ends of justice. If the criminal proceeding in question is in respect of an
offence alleged to have been committed by an accused person and it manifestly
appears that there is a legal bar against the institution or continuance of the
said proceeding the High Court would be justified in quashing the proceeding on
that ground. Absence of the requisite sanction may, for instance, furnish cases
under this category. Cases may also arise where the allegations in the first
information report or the complaint, even if they are taken at their face value
and accepted in their entirety, do not constitute the offence alleged; in such
cases no question of appreciating evidence arises; it is a matter merely of
looking at the complaint or the first information report to decide whether the
offence alleged is disclosed or not. In such cases it would be legitimate for
the High Court to hold that it would be manifestly unjust to allow the process
of the criminal court to be issued against the accused person. A third category
of cases in which the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court can be
successfully invoked may also arise. In cases falling under this category the
allegations made against the accused person do constitute offence alleged but
there is either no legal evidence adduced in support of the case or evidence
adduced clearly or manifestly fails to prove the charge. In dealing with this
class of cases it is important to bear in mind the distinction between a case
where there is no legal evidence or where th ere is evidence which is
manifestly and clearly inconsistent with the accusation made and cases where
there is legal evidence which on its appreciation may or may not support the
accusation in question. In exercising its jurisdiction under Section 561-A the
High Court would not embark upon an enquiry as to whether the evidence in
question is reliable or not. That is the function of the trial Magistrate, and
ordinarily it would not be open to any party to invoke the High Courts
inherent jurisdiction and contend that on a reasonable appreciation of the
evidence the accusation made against the accused would not be sustained.
(emphasis
supplied)
31.
Yet, in another important decision in State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, (1992)
Supp 1 SCC 355, the Court referred to a number of leading decisions on the point
and laid down the following principles for exercising power of quashing
criminal proceedings.
(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, no 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 ground for proceeding 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 proceeding 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.
32. Speaking
for the Court, Pandian, J. stated:
(T)he
power of quashing a criminal proceeding should be exercised very sparingly and
with circumspection and that too in the rarest of rare cases; that the Court
will not be justified in embarking upon an enquiry as to the reliability or
genuineness or otherwise of the allegations made in the FIR or the complaint
and that the extraordinary or inherent powers do not confer an arbitrary
jurisdiction on the Court to act according to its whim or caprice.
33. We
are in respectful agreement with the above observations. On the facts and in the
circumstances of the case, in our judgment, the High Court was clearly in error
in exercising power under Section 482 of the Code and in quashing criminal
proceedings. The said order, hence, deserves to be set aside. The matter will
now be decided in accordance with law by an appropriate Court.
34.
Before parting with the matter, we may clarify that we have not entered into
merits of the matter or allegations and counter allegations by the parties and
we may not be understood to have expressed any opinion one way or the other.
All observations made by us hereinabove have been made only for the limited
purpose of deciding the issue before us. As and when the matter will come
before the Court, it will be considered on its own merits without being inhibited
or influenced by the observations made by the High Court or by us in the
present order.
35.
The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
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