Madras High Court
Vellaichamy vs State : Through on 12 September, 2019
Author: V.Parthiban
Bench: V.Parthiban
Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 12.09.2019
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.PARTHIBAN
Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016
Vellaichamy : Petitioner
Vs.
State : through
The Inspector of Police,
District Crime Branch,
Dindigul,
Dindigul District. : Respondent
PRAYER: Criminal Revision Case is filed under Section 397 r/w 401 of
the Criminal Procedure Code praying to call for records and set aside
the order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Dindigul in
Crl.M.P.No.5442 of 2015 dated 23.11.2015.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.R.Seenivasan
For Respondent : Ms.M.Anantha Devi
Government Advocate [Criminal Side]
1/6
http://www.judis.nic.in
Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016
ORDER
****** The Criminal Revision is filed against the order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Dindigul dated 23.11.2015 in Crl.M.P.No.5442 of 2015.
2.The learned Judicial Magistrate dismissed the petition filed by the petitioner herein, who is the de-facto complainant, under Sections 105(D) and 105(E) of Cr.P.C. The learned Judicial Magistrate while dismissing the petition, has given a clear reason as found as under:-
"It is the duty of the court to ascertain whether the petition under Section 105-D and 105-E is maintainable for the offence committed inside the country. From the bare reading of the provision of Section 105 Cr.P.C, and especially Section 105-C, there is a clear cut reference in Sub-section (2) thereof to the contracting state, the definition of which is to be found in Section 105-A(a). It is, therefore, clear that the property envisaged in Section 105- C(1) cannot be an ordinary property earned out of ordinary offences committed in India. Where the language is extremely general and not clear, the contextual background 2/6 http://www.judis.nic.in Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016 has to be taken into consideration for arriving at clear interpretation. Some assistance was tried to be taken from the language of Section 105-B(2) which starts with the words "notwithstanding anything contained in this Code".
However, when the sub-section is read in entirety, it is clear that it makes reference to a person who is in "Contracting State". Therefore, even that reference will not bring in any provision within the scope of general law. We again cannot ignore the express language of Sections 105-B and 105-C which starts with the words "where a court in India". If this chapter was meant for the general offences and the properties earned out of those general offences in India, then such a phraseology would not have been used by the Legislature.
This Court feels that it would be Just and proper to extract the portion of judgment rendered by our Hon'ble Supreme Court in State of M.P vs. Balram Mihani & others, it has been held that "14. if such a construction as claimed by the petitioner is given then it would mean that even for the offences which are local in nature and committed within the State, still the property connected with those offences shall be forfeitured to the Central Government. That would obviously be an absurd result.
15.Lastly, we cannot ignore the likely misuse of the 3/6 http://www.judis.nic.in Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016 provisions in Chapter VIIA if the whole Chapter is made applicable to the local offences generally. Such does not appear to be the intendment of the Legislature in introducing Chapter VII A. In view of the above we approve the judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and confirm the same. The appeals are dismissed."
The decision rendered by our Hon'ble Apex Court referred supra, squarely applicable to the case is our hand.
It is clear and evident that upon the complainant of the petitioner/de-facto complainant, a FIR has been registered u/s 406 and 420 IPC in Cr.No.28/2015. It is also an adulated fact that the investigation is pending. If there is any property recorded by the Investigation Officer during investigation, the petitioner/de-facto complainant has every right to file petition before this Court, under Section 451 or 457 Cr.P.C as the case may be. But to attach or forfeit a property claiming to be proceed of Crime under Section 105-D or 105-E is not maintainable as per the Hon'ble Apex Supreme Court Judgment cited supra."
3.While dismissing the application filed by the petitioner herein, the learned Judicial Magistrate has followed the legal principles laid 4/6 http://www.judis.nic.in Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016 down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and rightly held such petition is not maintainable.
4.This Court is entirely in agreement with the reasons adopted by the learned Judicial Magistrate and does not find any reason calling for interference. Hence, this Criminal Revision Petition filed against the impugned order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Dindigul, dated 23.11.2015 is without any merits and hence, the same is dismissed.
12.09.2019 Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes/No skn To
1.The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Dindigul.
2.The Inspector of Police, District Crime Branch, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
3.The Government Advocate [Criminal Side] Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
5/6http://www.judis.nic.in Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016 V.PARTHIBAN, J.
skn ORDER MADE IN Crl.R.C.(MD)No.159 of 2016 Dated:-
12.09.2019 6/6 http://www.judis.nic.in