Calcutta High Court
Samiruddin Sarkar vs Nibaran Chandra Ghose on 27 May, 1904
Equivalent citations: (1904)ILR 31CAL928
JUDGMENT
Pratt and Handley JJ.
1. This is a Rule calling upon the District Magistrate to show cause why the conviction of the petitioner under Section 408 of the Indian Penal Code should not be set aside, the first ground being that the trial should have been confined to three instances of alleged misappropriation occurring within the period of one year.
2. The charge recites that the accused realized by certain rent receipts, 23 in number, the sum of Rs. 103, of which the accused misappropriated the sum of Rs. 67. We think such a charge comes clearly within the provisions of Clause (2) of Section 222 of the Code of Criminal Procedural By specifying the rent receipts the charge went beyond what was necessary, and was to this extent favourable to the accused, because it gave him an opportunity of meeting the accusation regarding the misappropriation of a gross sum of Rs. 67. The case of Emperor v. Gulzari Lal (1902) I.L.R. 24 All. 254 is in point and supports this view of the matter.
3. The second ground is that the Sessions Judge does not appear to have given due consideration to the allegations of the accused that the rent receipts were tampered with by the ryots and to the fact that only one witness gave evidence regarding each receipts.
4. It now appears that the rent receipts bear no sign of being tampered with, and that they are supported by other evidence besides that of the tenants, to whom the receipts were granted. As has been pointed out by the Deputy Magistrate in his explanation, the witness Bholanath proved certain receipts. Sheriatulla Munshi, who knows the handwriting of the accused, proves it upon ten of the receipts.
5. Under the circumstances we see no reason to interfere. The Rule is discharged, and the prisoner must surrender to his bail in order to serve out the remainder of his sentence.