Bombay High Court
Shri Sandeep Indravadan Sagar vs State Of Maharashtra And Others on 10 January, 2013
Author: Abhay M. Thipsay
Bench: Abhay M. Thipsay
This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order
1 Cr.WP 1849-10
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.1849 OF 2010
Shri Sandeep Indravadan Sagar .. Petitioner.
Versus
State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents.
WITH
CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.268 OF 2009
Shri Sandeep Indravadan Sagar .. Applicant.
Versus
State of Maharashtra and others
ig .. Respondents.
WITH
CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.2003 OF 2012
Dhaval Madhav Kelkar .. Petitioner.
Versus
State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents.
WITH
CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.42 OF 2012
Madhurendra Virendra Sinha .. Applicant.
Versus
State of Maharashtra and others .. Respondents.
WITH
CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.690 OF 2010
Vinod Chotalal Suba .. Applicant.
Versus
The Director General and Inspector
General of Police and others .. Respondents.
Tilak
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2 Cr.WP 1849-10
Mr.Milan Desai i/by Mr.T.R. Patel, Advocate for the petitioner in
Criminal Writ Petition no.1849 of 2010.
Mr.H.K. Prem, Advocate for the applicant in Criminal Application
No.268 of 2009 and APL No.42 of 2012.
Mr.Satyavrat Joshi, Advocate for the Petitioner in Criminal Writ
Petition No.2003 of 2012 and applicant in Criminal Application No.690
of 2012.
Mrs.U.V. Kejriwal, learned APP for the State in all the matters.
CORAM : ABHAY M. THIPSAY, J.
JUDGMENT RESERVED ON : 5 December 2012
JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED ON : 10th JANUARY 2013
ORAL JUDGMENT :
1. All these matters can be conveniently disposed of by this common order, as all of them raise questions about the nature of the offence punishable under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter 'M.V. Act' for the sake of brevity), and the procedure for the investigation and the trial thereof. Though the facts of each case are different, and even the contentions raised by the petitioner/applicants are different, the discussion on these aspects would necessarily be common.
2. Before proceeding further, the provisions of Section 185 of the M.V. Act may be reproduced here :-
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3 Cr.WP 1849-10
185. Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs.
Whoever, while driving or attempting to drive, a motor vehicle, -
(a) has, in his blood, alcohol exceeding 30 mg. Per 100 ml. of blood detected in a test by a breath analyser, or
(b) is under this influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, if committed within three years of the commission of the previous similar offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.
3 A reference may now be made to the facts of each case.
The petitioner in Writ Petition No.1849 of 2010 was arrested by the Charkop Division of Malwani Police Station on 17th April 2010, on the allegation of having committed the offence Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 4 Cr.WP 1849-10 punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act. He was released on a cash bond of Rs.2,000/-. As per the terms of the bond, the petitioner appeared before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Borivali. That, on that day, the police filed "charge-sheet" against the petitioner.
According to the petitioner, a rubber stamp had already been put on the back side of the "charge-sheet", the impression whereof read as under:
Charge explained Accused pleads guilty voluntarily ORDER On his plea of guilt, Accused is convicted and sentenced to pay fine of Rs........... In default S.I for ... .... days.
The petitioner is challenging the said charge-sheet and the prosecution against him, vide case No.6480/H/2010, pending before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate on various grounds. He is basically raising the following points which, according to him, need determination.
(i) Can charge-sheet be filed sans First Information Report ?
(ii) Can in a summons triable case, charge-sheet be filed ?
(iii) Can in a trial, order be stamped even before proceedings have been initiated ?
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 5 Cr.WP 1849-10 Mukund Shankar Renake, Assistant Police Inspector has filed his affidavit in reply in the matter.
4 The petitioner in Criminal Writ Petition No.2003 of 2012 was arrested on 21 October 2010 by the Traffic Control Branch, Andheri, in connection with the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act. The petitioner was subjected to a Breath Analyser Test, the result whereof shows that there was alcohol in the petitioner's blood, in a quantity more than the permissible. The petitioner was apprehended and released on his executing a cash bond of Rs.2,500/-.
On the next day, the petitioner was directed to remain present before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate at Andheri and when he went there, the Magistrate asked him whether he pleaded guilty. As the petitioner did not plead guilty, the case (9610/PS/2010) was sent to 'Regular Court' for conducting trial. The petitioner has approached this Court, seeking to quash his prosecution vide the said case by raising various grounds. According to him, the following questions need determination.
(i) Whether the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is a cognizable offence ?
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(ii)Whether compliance of the provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter 'the Code' for brevity) is necessary prior to prosecuting a person, with respect to the said offence ?
(iii)Whether a police report under Section 173(2) in absence of compliance of Section 154 of the Code, is null and void in the eyes of law ?
(iv)Whether it is incumbent upon a Magistrate empowered to pass an order of issuance of process upon receipt of a police report ?
5. The Applicant in Criminal Application No.268 of 2009 was apprehended by the Worli (Traffic) Police Station on 27 December 2008, while he was driving a motor cycle. He was put to Breath Alcohol Analysis Test, after which he was released on depositing a sum of Rs.2,000/- and executing a bond to appear before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Dadar on 12 January 2009. His driving licence was taken charge of by the officers of the Worli Traffic Police Station. On 12 January 2009, when the applicant attended the Court of the Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Dadar, the applicant's name was called out, and he was asked whether he pleaded guilty to the charge of an offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act.
The applicant pleaded not guilty after which the case was adjourned.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 7 Cr.WP 1849-10 By the said application under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter "the Code" for the sake of brevity) the applicant prays for quashing of the prosecution against him, raising a number of contentions. According to him, the trial pending before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Dadar, is not being held as per the procedure laid down by the Code and, therefore, it deserves to be quashed. One Digambar Ramchandra Shinde, Sub Inspector of Police, attached to Bandra Traffic Division has filed affidavit in reply, in the matter. Subsequently, one Nandkumar Anant Chaugule, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Control Branch, Worli, has filed an additional affidavit in reply, in the matter.
6. The applicant in Criminal Application No.42 of 2012 was arrested on 2 November 2011, while he was driving a motor car and was subjected to Breath Alcohol Analysis Test. Thereafter, the applicant was released on cash bail of Rs.2,500/- and was directed to appear before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Andheri, on 4 November 2011. His driving licence was taken charge of. When he attended the Court of Special Metropolitan Magistrate, his name was Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 8 Cr.WP 1849-10 called out, and he was asked whether he pleaded guilty. When he replied in negative, he was directed to attend the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, Railway Mobile Court, Andheri on 22 August 2012.
By this application under Section 482 of the Code, the applicant challenges his prosecution, and prays that the charge-sheet filed against him, be quashed. According to him, the trial against him, not being as per the procedure laid down under the Code and M.V. Act, deserves to be quashed.
7 The applicant in Criminal Application No.690 of 2012 was apprehended by the Traffic Control Branch, Juhu, on the allegation of having committed an offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act. He was also subjected to a Breath Alcohol Analysis Test, which resulted in showing that there was alcohol in his blood, in a quantity excess than the permissible limit. He was, therefore, apprehended and released on bail on executing a cash bond of Rs.2,000/-, with a direction to remain present before the Special Executive Magistrate, at Andheri, on the next day. When he went there, the learned Magistrate asked him as to whether he pleaded Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 9 Cr.WP 1849-10 guilty, to which he replied in negative. Thereafter, the case was sent to the 'Regular Court' for conducting the trial. According to the applicant, his trial is bad in law. He has posed the following questions :
(i) Whether the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is a cognizable offence ?
(ii) Whether compliance of provisions of Section 154 of the Code is necessary prior to Section 185 of the M.V. Act ?
(iii) Whether the police report under Section 173(2) in absence of compliance of Section 154 of the Code is null and void in the eyes of law ?
(iv) Whether it is incumbent upon a Magistrate empowered to pass an order of issuance of process upon receipt of a police report ?
8 I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties, at length. I have also heard Smt.Usha Kejriwal, APP for the State. I have gone through the case law relied upon by the learned counsel for the petitioners / applicants.
Even after the arguments were heard and the matters were closed for orders, it was felt that some clarification was needed from the prosecution with respect to the form of the "charge-sheet"
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 10 Cr.WP 1849-10 that is used in the cases under the M.V. Act, and as such, Mrs.Kejriwal, learned APP was heard even thereafter, and consequently, the learned counsel for the petitioners/applicants were also heard in that regard.
9 One of the contentions raised in these matters is, that 'the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act being cognizable, it was necessary to have a First Information Report registered before the same could be investigated into'. The contention is that without there being an FIR, as contemplated under Section 154 of the Code, the police could not have investigated into the offence, and filed a charge-
sheet against the accused persons. There is no substance in this contention.
10 That the investigation of, or into a cognizable offence must be preceded by registration of the First Information Report, is not a sound proposition of law. It is true that ordinarily, it would only be on the basis of the First Information Report that the police machinery would be made aware of the offence and, therefore, ordinarily there would be a First Information Report recorded in accordance with the provisions of Section 154 of the Code, before the investigation into a cognizable offence or case commences. However, to suggest that the power to Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 11 Cr.WP 1849-10 investigate flows from the registration of the First Information Report, would be totally incorrect. The receipt and recording of First Information Report is not a condition precedent for investigation into a cognizable offence. It is clear from the provisions of Section 157 of the Code, which speaks of the procedure for investigation, that the investigation can commence, if the officer in charge of a police station has reason to suspect the commission of a cognizable offence; and this reason can be formed from the information received or otherwise.
11 In King Emperor v. Khwaja Nazir Ahmed AIR 1945 PC 18, the Privy Council said :
But, in any case, the receipt and recording of an information report is not a condition precedent to the setting in motion of a criminal investigation. No doubt, in the great majority of cases, criminal prosecutions are undertaken as a result of information received and recorded in this way, but their Lordships see no reason why the police, if in possession through their own knowledge, or by means of credible though informal intelligence which genuinely leads them to the belief that a cognizable offence has been committed, should not of their own motion undertake an investigation into the truth of the matters alleged. Section 157 Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order
12 Cr.WP 1849-10 of the Cr.P.C. when directing that a Police Officer, who has reason to suspect from information or otherwise that an offence which he is empowered to investigate under Section 156 has been committed, shall proceed to investigate the facts and circumstances, supports this view.
In truth, the provisions as to an information report (commonly called a first information report), are enacted for other reasons. Its object is to obtain early information of alleged criminal activity, to record the circumstances before there is time for them to be forgotten or embellished, and it has to be remembered that the report can be put in evidence when the informant is examined if it is desired to do so.
The provision for giving information, therefore, is not to provide the police with the power of investigation, but to enable an unembellished version of the incident to be given at the earliest opportunity, so that the prosecution case at the trial may be tested.
Again, in Uttar Pradesh v. Bhagwant Kishore Joshi 1964 SC 221, the Supreme Court of India observed as follows :
Though ordinarily investigation is undertaken on information received by a police officer, the receipt of information is not a condition precedent for investigation. Section 157 prescribes the Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order
13 Cr.WP 1849-10 procedure in the matter of such an investigation which can be initiated either on information or otherwise. It is clear from the said provision that an officer in charge of a police station can start investigation either on information or otherwise.
These decisions have been given with reference to the provisions in the old Code. The relevant provisions in the present Code of Criminal Procedure being identical, there is no change in the legal position that has been laid down by Their Lordships.
12 This contention, therefore, must fail.
13 The next question that needs consideration is whether the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is a cognizable offence, or whether it is a non-cognizable offence.
14 It would be necessary to refer to the relevant provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure (Code) and also the relevant provisions in the Motor Vehicles Act.
15 Cognizable offence has been defined in clause (c) of Section 2 of the Code, thus :-
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(c) "cognizable offence" means an offence for which, and "cognizable case" means a case in which, a police officer may, in accordance with the First Schedule or under any other law for the time being in force, arrest without warrant; (Emphasis supplied)
16 In view of this, one has to turn to the First Schedule to the Code, Part I whereof deals with the offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code and Part-II whereof deals with offences against other laws. It shows that if an offence falling under other laws, is punishable with imprisonment for less than three years, then such offence would be non-cognizable. The offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is punishable with imprisonment for a period of six months, in case of the first offence, and with an enhanced punishment of imprisonment upto two years for the second or subsequent offence. Therefore, going by the First Schedule, it would be 'non-cognizable'.
17 However, the definition in clause (c) of Section 2 of the Code also says that the power to arrest without warrant, conferred on Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 15 Cr.WP 1849-10 a police officer (which would make the offence in question cognizable) may be in accordance with the First Schedule, or under any other law (for the time being in force).
18 Section 202 of the M.V. Act, provides for arrest of the offender committing an offence punishable under Section 184 or 185 or 197 of the M.V. Act. It reads as under :
202. Power to arrest without warrant.
(1) A police officer in uniform may arrest without warrant any person who in his presence commits an offence punishable under Section 184 or Section 185 or Section 197:
Provided that any person so arrested in connection with an offence punishable under Section 185 shall, within two hours of his arrest, be subjected to a medical examination referred to in Sections 203 and 204 by a registered medical practitioner failing which he shall be released from custody.
[(2) A police officer in uniform may arrest without warrant any person, who has committed an offence under this Act, if such person refuses to give his name and address.] Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 16 Cr.WP 1849-10 (3) A police officer arresting without warrant the driver of a motor vehicle shall if the circumstances so require take or cause to be taken any steps he may consider proper for the temporary disposal of the vehicle.
19 Now, the question is whether since the section gives power to the police officer to arrest an offender without a warrant, can the said offence be said to be cognizable ? It cannot be doubted that if any law other than the IPC which creates an offence specifically provides that it would be cognizable, then, irrespective of the provisions of Part II of the First Schedule, such offence would be cognizable. If such other law provides that a police officer may arrest without a warrant for such offence, it would be cognizable irrespective of the punishment provided for such offence. Thus, there are offences under various laws which are cognizable even though they are punishable with sentences far less than three years, and sometimes even with fine alone. They are cognizable because the law creating them provides specifically that they would be cognizable, or that the police officer may arrest a person committing such offence. However, the power to arrest given to the police officer under Section 202 of the M.V. Act, is not an unqualified Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 17 Cr.WP 1849-10 power. It may be exercised only if the offence is committed in the presence of the police officer. Further, the police officer must be in uniform at that time. This gives rise to a peculiar situation. If the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is committed in the presence of a police officer in uniform, the offender can be arrested by such officer without a warrant. However, if it would not be committed in the presence of a police officer in uniform, then, the offender cannot be arrested. It has already been seen that going by the First Schedule to the Code, the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, would be non-cognizable.
20 It is clear that the power to arrest for an offence punishable u/s.185 of the M.V. Act conferred on a police officer is not unqualified. It can be exercised only if two conditions are fulfilled viz :
(i) the offence must have been committed in the presence of the police officer.
(ii) when such police officer must be in uniform at that time.
The question is whether the power to arrest for an offence u/s.185 of the M.V. Act given to a police officer would make the said Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 18 Cr.WP 1849-10 offence cognizable, as defined in clause (c) of section 2 of the Code, irrespective of the fact that such power can be exercised only under certain circumstances. In my opinion, the answer has to be in the negative. If the offence u/s.185 of the M.V. Act is to be treated as cognizable on the basis of such limited and circumscribed power to arrest for such offence, then it would result into anomalous situations.
It would mean that when the offence takes place in the presence of a police officer in uniform, it becomes cognizable and in other cases, it remains non-cognizable. It would not be possible to accept that the same offence can be 'cognizable' in certain circumstances and 'non-
cognizable' in certain circumstances. It is because the procedure for dealing with a cognizable offence, and the procedure for dealing with a non-cognizable offence would be entirely different. If a view that the offence u/s.185 of the M.V. Act is cognizable is taken, then it should be possible for anyone to go to a police station and lodge a report in respect of commission of such an offence which the police officer concerned would be required to record as per the provisions of section 154 of the Code and commence investigation as laid down in the subsequent sections in Chapter XII of the Code.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 19 Cr.WP 1849-10 Even if the power to arrest with respect to a certain offence is given, or is limited to any particular category of police officers, still such offence has been held to be cognizable. The divergence of judicial opinion in that regard has been resolved by the decision of the Supreme Court of India in State of Gujarat Vs. Lal Singh AIR 1981 S.C 368. In the said decision, Their Lordships held that whether an offence was cognizable or non-cognizable would not depend on which police officer could arrest the accused. However, the things will not be the same where the restriction or limitation is not with respect to the class or category of the police officers empowered to arrest, but with respect to the circumstances and conditions in which the arrest can be effected .
The question whether the offences punishable under section 184 and 185 of the M.V. Act are cognizable or non-cognizable fell directly for the consideration of the Kerala High Court in Mehaboob Vs. The State, Represented by the City Traffic (Crl.M.C.No.702 of 2011) decided on 30 March 2011. The Kerala High Court after referring to the decisions of the Madras High Court in Public Prosecutor Versus. A.V. Ramiah (1958 Crl. M.C.No. 702 of Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 20 Cr.WP 1849-10 2011) and of the Calcutta High Court in State of West Bengal Versus Joginder Mallic (1979 Crl.L.J.539), came to the conclusion that a limited power to arrest without a warrant given to a police officer in uniform did not make the offences punishable under section 184 and 185 of the M.V.Act, cognizable. I am in respectful agreement with this view. In my opinion also, the offence punishable u/s.185 of the M.V. Act is 'non-cognizable'.
21 Since this aspect came up in the course of arguments, and when the view of the Court that the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, cannot be said to be a 'cognizable offence' was expressed, it was submitted that, in that case, the police could not have investigated the same without the order of Magistrate, in view of the bar provided by sub-section (2) of Section 155 of the Code. The argument is that the Breath Alcohol Analysis Test would be a step in investigation, and if the offence is 'non-cognizable', then such investigation could not be carried out and "charge-sheet" could not have been filed.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 21 Cr.WP 1849-10 22 In the context of the arguments advanced, it would be proper to refer to the provisions of Section 4 of the Code, which reads as under :-
4. "Trial of offences under the Indian Penal Code and other laws (1) All offences under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the provisions hereinafter contained.
(2) All offences under any other law shall be investigated, inquired into, tried, and otherwise dealt with according to the same provisions, but subject to any enactment for the time being in force regulating the manner or place of investigating, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing with such offences." (emphasis supplied) 23 Sub-section (2) makes the provisions of the Code applicable even to the offences under law other than the Indian Penal Code. It, however, makes it clear that the applicability of the provisions of the Code to such offences, would be subject to any enactment for the time being in force, regulating the manner or place of investigating, etc. In other words, if the manner etc.of investigating Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 22 Cr.WP 1849-10 into such offences has been provided in any enactment, such manner etc.will prevail over the provisions in the Code, in case of a conflict between the two.
Section 5 of the Code also is worth noting.
5. Saving - Nothing contained in this Code shall, in the absence of a specific provision to the contrary, affect any special or local law for the time being in force, or any special jurisdiction or power conferred, or any special form of procedure prescribed, by any other law for the time being in force. (Emphasis supplied) Thus, the position that emerges is that the provisions of the Code would apply even with respect to the investigation of offences under the Motor Vehicles Act but, such application would be subject to the provisions of any other law regulating the manner of such investigation. It is also clear that any special jurisdiction or power conferred by any special or local law or any special form of procedure prescribed by any other law for the time being in force, shall not be affected by the provisions of the Code.
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24. Let us now see the provisions with respect to the investigation, and trial of the offences punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, laid down in the Act itself. Section 202 thereof, has already been reproduced earlier, and it has been seen that it provides for the arrest of the offender, if such offence is committed in the presence of a police officer in uniform. The proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 202 of the M.V. Act mandates that the person so arrested by the police, in connection with an offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, shall, within two hours of his arrest, be subjected to a medical examination referred to in Section 203 and 204 by a registered medical practitioner. It also provides that failing such subjection to a medical examination, the person arrested shall be released from custody.
25. Section 203 of the M.V. Act reads as under :-
203. Breath tests.
[(1) A police officer in uniform or an officer of the Motor Vehicles Department, as may be authorized in this behalf by that Department, may require any person driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle in a public place to provide one or more specimens of breath for Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 24 Cr.WP 1849-10 breath test there or nearby, if such police officer or officer has any reasonable cause to suspect him of having committed an offence under section 185;
Provided that requirement for breath test shall be made (unless, it is made) as soon as reasonably practicable after the commission of such offence.] (2) If a motor vehicle is involved in an accident in a public place and a police officer in uniform has any reasonable cause to suspect that the person who was driving the motor vehicle at the time of the accident had alcohol in his blood or that he was driving under the influence of a drug referred to in Section 185 he may require the person so driving the motor vehicle, to provide a specimen of his breath for a breath test -
(a) in the case of a person who is at a hospital as an indoor patient, at the hospital,
(b) in the case of any other person, either at or near the place where the requirement is made, or if the police officer thinks fit, at a police station specified by the police officer :
Provided that a person shall not be required to provide such a specimen while at a hospital as an indoor patient if the registered medical practitioner in immediate Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order
25 Cr.WP 1849-10 charge of his case is not first notified of the proposal to make the requirement or objects to the provision of a specimen on the ground that its provision or the requirement to provide it would be prejudicial to the proper care or treatment of the patient.
(3) If it appears to a police officer in uniform, in consequence of a breath test carried out by him on any person under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) that the device by means of which the test has been carried out indicates the presence of alcohol in the person's blood, the police officer may arrest that person without warrant except while that person is at a hospital as an indoor patient.
(4) If a person, required by a police officer under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test, refuses or fails to do so and the police officer has reasonable cause to suspect him of having alcohol in his blood, the police officer may arrest him without warrant except while he is at a hospital as an indoor patient.
(5) A person arrested under this section shall while at a police station, be given an opportunity to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test there.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 26 Cr.WP 1849-10 (6) The results of a breath test made in pursuance of the provisions of this section shall be admissible in evidence.
26 Sub-section (1) of Section 203 empowers a police officer in uniform, or an officer of the Motor Vehicle department, duly authorized in that behalf, to require any person driving a motor vehicle in a public place, to provide one or more specimens of breath for Breath Alcohol Analysis Test. Sub-section (3) of Section 203 speaks of the power of the police officer to arrest the person subjected to Breath Analysis test, if it appears to the police officer in consequence of the Breath test carried out by him on that person, that the test indicates the presence of alcohol in the person's blood. Section 204 of the M.V. Act deals with the laboratory test and collection of a specimen of the blood of the person arrested under Section 203 of M.V. Act. Elaborate provisions are found in the said section as to under what circumstances and in what manner, the laboratory test should be carried out.
27 The position that emerges on a reading of the aforesaid provisions is as follows :-
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i)That if the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, popularly called as 'drunken driving' is committed by a person in the presence of a police officer in uniform, such police officer can arrest such person without a warrant.
ii) Such police officer, after the arrest, is required to subject such person to a medical examination referred to in Sections 203 and 204 of the M.V. Act i.e. the Breath Alcohol Analysis Test within two hours of his arrest. If the police officer fails to subject the arrested person to such test within two hours, such person shall be released from custody.
iii) If the result of the Breath Test indicates that the person subjected to the Breath Test had alcohol in his blood, the police officer may arrest that person without warrant.
28 It is interesting to note that Section 202 speaks of arresting a person and subjecting him to the Breath Test. Sub-section (3) of Section 203 also speaks of the arrest of a person, if the report of the Breath Test carried out on a person indicates the presence of alcohol in the person's blood. Ordinarily, such a person must already be in custody of the police by virtue of the provisions of Section 202 of Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 28 Cr.WP 1849-10 the M.V. Act. It is after his arrest that he would be subjected to Breath Test and, therefore, after the result of the Breath Test, that he should again be arrested, is little queer. If both these provisions are considered together, the proper interpretation would be that the initial arrest under Section 202 of the M.V. Act, is only for the purpose of restricting the movements of the offender and for subjecting him to the Breath Test. It is after the result of the Breath Test, that he can be placed under arrest as contemplated under Section 203 of the M.V. Act, which would be the real arrest in respect of the said offence i.e. the arrest as an offender.
29 Indeed, the holding of Breath Test and Laboratory Test, is a process of collection of evidence. It has to be accepted that it is a part of investigation. However, the contention that 'if the offence is held to be non-cognizable then, investigation into it cannot be carried out without an order from the Magistrate, in view of the bar created by sub-section (2) of Section 155 of the Code', is not acceptable. It has already been noticed that the procedure with respect to investigation of offences, as laid down in the Code, is applicable to the offences punishable even under a special law (like the Motor Vehicles Act) but, subject to any special procedure prescribed thereunder (or any other Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 29 Cr.WP 1849-10 law for the time being in force) for the investigation or trial of such offences. A reading of Sections 4 and 5 of the Code, leaves no manner of doubt that where a different procedure than one prescribed in the Code, is laid down for the investigation, inquiry or trial of any offences under any law other than the Indian Penal Code, such special procedure shall prevail over the provisions in the Code, with respect to the investigation of offences. Thus, the provisions in the M.V. Act regarding the investigation of the offences punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, will prevail over the provisions in the Code, which prohibit investigation into a non-cognizable offence without an order of a Magistrate. There is, therefore, no illegality committed by the police in subjecting the persons apprehended on the allegation of having committed the offence punishable under Section 185 of the M.V. Act to Breath Test, and in having collected 'evidence' of the offences.
30 The aforesaid discussion leads to the following conclusion.
(i) Since the power conferred on a police officer to arrest a person who has committed an offence punishable under Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 30 Cr.WP 1849-10 Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is not an unqualified power, and is conditioned by two requirements:
(a) That such offence must have been committed in the presence of such police officers.
(b) That such police officer, at that time, must be in uniform.
The offence punishable u/s.185 of the M.V. Act cannot be said to be a 'cognizable' offence.
(ii) However, though the offence is 'non-cognizable', still, in view of the special procedure for the investigation into such offences, provided under the M.V. Act itself, it would be perfectly legitimate to carry out investigation into such offences in accordance with the said provisions - and only to the extent provided therein - without any order from the competent Magistrate. The special procedure prescribed in the M.V. Act for the investigation into such offences, would override the bar created by section 155(2) of the Code in view of the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of the Code .
31 Having held so, the only question that requires to be determined is whether the procedure for trial that is being adopted in case of such offences, is proper or legal.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 31 Cr.WP 1849-10 32 In all these cases, the accused persons are being prosecuted on the basis of a document, called as 'charge-sheet'.
33 Smt.Kejriwal, learned APP in the course of arguments, attempted to suggest that what is submitted by the police to the Magistrate, is not a 'charge-sheet' at all. According to her, the police are merely 'reporting the matter' to the Magistrate. This submission was made for countering the contention that if the offence u/s.185 of the M.V.Act is held to be 'non-cognizable' then the police had no power to investigate into it without an order of the Magistrate and to file a 'charge-sheet'. The term 'charge-sheet' is not defined, or even used in the Code. It is, however, found in the police manual and it denotes a report filed by the police on completion of investigation, after having formed an opinion that the persons or persons named therein as accused, have committed the offence mentioned in the said report.
34 In the context of this contention advanced by Smt.Kejriwal, APP, I have examined the so-called 'charge-sheets' which are filed by the police in the Court of Magistrates. The contention that 'it was only a report made to the Magistrate, in respect of a non-
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 32 Cr.WP 1849-10 cognizable offence' and seeking further orders', cannot be accepted, as the same is absolutely contrary to the record. First of all, the so-called reports themselves show that they are styled as 'charge-sheet'. It is so printed on those reports. Moreover, the police, admittedly, take a bond, cash bond or surety bond from an accused person, requiring him to appear before a particular court on a given date. The so-called 'report' also mentions the name of witnesses and the particulars of offence. It is, certainly, not a report seeking permission to investigate into the matter. The printed proforma of these charge-sheets indicates that the form thereof has been approved vide G.R.No.276/6 dated 13.2.1950 of the Home Department. Apparently, this form of the charge-sheet had been approved for prosecution of offenders with respect to the offences punishable under The City of Bombay Police Act 1902. The said Act has been repealed by the Bombay Police Act 1951.
It appears that the State is, however, still using the proforma of the charge-sheet which was approved for prosecuting the offenders committing offences under the City of Bombay Police Act 1902.
Moreover, the same form of the "charge-sheet" is being used for offences under other Acts also, including the offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, for which the form was not intended to be used.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 33 Cr.WP 1849-10 35 As earlier observed, the word 'charge-sheet' is not found in the Code. However, the police report under section 173(2) of the Code is popularly known as 'charge-sheet' in common parlance.
Obviously, such a police report can be filed only in respect of cognizable offences. The form of the ''charge-sheet" that is being used in connection with the offences punishable under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act has been approved for cognizable offences punishable under the City of Bombay Police Act. Since the offence punishable under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be called as a 'cognizable' offence, there would be no question of filing a police report, in respect of such an offence.
36 This needs consideration as to what is the legal status of of the so-called 'charge-sheets' submitted to the Magistrate on which, cognizance of the alleged offence is taken by the Magistrate, and the offenders are prosecuted with respect to the offences punishable under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Since the offence punishable under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be termed as a 'cognizable' offence, the 'charge-sheet' cannot be construed as a 'police Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 34 Cr.WP 1849-10 report' as defined in section 2(r) of the Code. After having considered all the relevant aspects of the matter, in my opinion, the so called 'charge-sheet' falls in the category of a 'complaint' as defined under section 2(d) of the Code. Section 2(d) defines a complaint as under:-
(d) "complaint" means any allegation made orally or in writing to a Magistrate, with a view to his taking action under this Code, that some person, whether known or unknown, has committed an offence, but does not include a police report.
Explanation - A report made by a police officer in a case which discloses, after investigation, the commission of a non-cognizable offence shall be deemed to be a complaint;
and the police officer by whom such report is made shall be deemed to be the complainant; (Emphasis supplied) 37 There is some divergence of judicial opinion on whether the report made by a police officer, after investigation which he was not authorized to undertake, would amount to a complaint. One view is that since the very investigation would be illegal, the report based on such an investigation would not be qualified even as a complaint.
However, in the instant case, as discussed earlier, the investigation that Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 35 Cr.WP 1849-10 has been carried out cannot be termed as illegal. It has been authorized by, and has been carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act itself. Thus, in my view, the documents (though called as charge-sheets) submitted to the Magistrate by the police alleging commission of offences punishable under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act on the basis of which the Magistrate takes cognizance, are deemed to be complaints, as defined in section 2(d) of the Code.
38 In any case, whether the documents submitted to the Magistrate is a police report, or whether it is a complaint, has nothing to do with the power, authority or jurisdiction of the Magistrate to take cognizance of the alleged offence. Section 190 of the Code provides three sources from which a Magistrate may take cognizance of an offence. They are :-
(a) Upon a complaint of facts constituting such offence
(b) Upon a police report of such facts and
(c) (i) Upon information received from any person other than a police officer, or
(ii) upon his knowledge.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 36 Cr.WP 1849-10 Thus, even if termed as a 'charge-sheet', the document forwarded to the Magistrate in that regard amounts to a complaint, and the Magistrate would be competent to take cognizance of the alleged offence on that basis. Thus, on this ground, the prosecutions covered by the present petitions/applications are not liable to be quashed.
39 Moreover, the procedure for trial of summons cases by Magistrates as laid down in Chapter XX of the Code, does not make any distinction in the procedure to be followed in the trial depending on whether the case has been instituted on a police report or otherwise. Undoubtedly, the provisions of section 256 and 257 of the Code apply only to the complaint cases and the provisions of section 258 apply only to cases instituted otherwise than upon a complaint, but these provisions deal with the manner in which the proceedings would be terminated, and the procedure to be observed during the trial would be the same in cases instituted on a complaint, or otherwise than upon a complaint.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 37 Cr.WP 1849-10 40 Smt.Kejriwal, the learned APP submitted that the form of the so called 'charge-sheet' is being revived and that the change is being made on the lines of the form of complaints that is being used in Delhi, for prosecution of offenders in respect of offences punishable under section 185 of the M.V. Act.
41 It is therefore, clear that there is no basic flaw or fault vitiating the prosecutions in the instant cases, and that there are no grounds for quashing any of the prosecutions which have been launched against the present applicants/petitioners.
42 Coming to the contention that it was incumbent upon the Magistrate to pass an order of issuance of process upon receipt of the police report, and that in the absence of an order issuing process, the proceedings before him were bad in law, it has to be mentioned only for rejecting it outright. Undoubtedly, section 204 of the Code stipulates that if in the opinion of the Magistrate taking cognizance of an offence, there is sufficient ground for proceeding, he shall issue a summons or a warrant. However, that does not mean that even if the accused would Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:16 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 38 Cr.WP 1849-10 be already present before him, he would still be required to issue a summons or warrant to procure the presence of such accused. It is too obvious that the issuance of process, as contemplated by section 204 of the Code is for procuring the presence of an accused. It is not that the accused would always remain present before the Court only on the basis of a summons or warrant issued by a Magistrate taking cognizance of the offence, but there could be a number of ways in which he would be present before the Magistrate even without the issuance of any such summons or warrant. The issue of process, or passing an order directing process to be issued, is obviously unnecessary in cases where the accused is already present in the Court.
In these cases, the accused persons had already been released on bond by the police, and they were asked to attend the Court of the Magistrate on a given date. It was therefore, not at all necessary for the Magistrate to have issued any process.
43 There are, however, some procedural aspects which need discussion. It is because it appears that in all these cases without furnishing the copy of the so-called 'charge-sheet', the applicants/petitioners were asked whether they were pleading guilty to Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 39 Cr.WP 1849-10 the accusation of the said offence. This cannot be justified. This procedure will not be in accordance with law.
44 In the instant cases, the provisions of section 207 of the Code, would not be applicable as the cases have not been instituted on a police report. However, the special provisions regarding investigation appearing in the Motor Vehicles Act create a peculiar situation inasmuch, as though there would be no police report in respect of such offences, there would be some material which has been collected by the Investigating Agency, i.e. police. Such material is sent to the Magistrate alongwith the complaint (termed as charge-sheet) and this material is proposed to be used against the accused. It would be necessary for the accused to know what that material is, and to have copies of the so-called 'charge-sheet', and the accompanying documents without delay and free of cost. In spite of the inapplicability of the provisions of section 207 of the Code, it is impossible to hold that the accused need not be given copies of the relevant documents before his plea is recorded.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 40 Cr.WP 1849-10 45 The procedure for trial of offenders has to be just and reasonable. It must afford an opportunity to the accused to understand the nature of case against him, and the evidence by which it is proposed to be proved. The accused must be given a reasonable opportunity of defending himself. For these reasons, it is absolutely necessary that, as soon as an accused appears before the Magistrate, the Magistrate should furnish a copy of the 'charge-sheet', accompanied by the report of the Breath Alcohol Analysis Test and/or Laboratory Test, and any other documents on which reliance is placed by the prosecution. It is after a copy of the 'charge-sheet' accompanied by the Breath Analysis Test / Laboratory Test and other relevant documents, that are relied upon by the prosecution is furnished to an accused, he should be asked as to whether he pleads guilty to the accusation or not. Once this is done, the trial can proceed further in accordance with law.
46 A contention has also been raised in some of the petitions/ applications that the trial proceedings are not proper because the rubber stamp impression of the order that would ultimately be passed Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 41 Cr.WP 1849-10 in the proceedings had already been put on the charge-sheet. Such a question has been specifically raised in some of the petitions/ applications and it is contended that this shows non-application of mind on the part of the Magistrate. It is attempted to suggest that putting of a rubber stamp indicates that a Magistrate has already decided to hold the accused guilty. I find no substance in this contention. The Criminal Manual which has been issued by the High Court exercising its power of superintendence and control over the sub-ordinate Courts in the State of Maharashtra, permits the use of rubber stamps in certain cases. Paragraph no.7 of Chapter VI of the Criminal Manual lays down the following with respect to the use of rubber stamp.
"Use of Rubber Stamp The use of the following rubber stamps only (and no printed or cyclostyled form in vogue) are permitted in the judicial proceedings Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order
42 Cr.WP 1849-10 Sr.No. Nature of Cases Stamps (1) (2) (3) 1 Remand Applications Accused is ordered to be released on bail in the sum of Rs......... with one surety in the like amount in default remanded to Police/Jail Custody till..............
2 N.C. Cases or Summary Judgment-On the plea of the Cases in which the accused. I convict him to pay a fine accused plead guilty of Rs. ............ in default to suffer ig .............. days/months rigorous imprisonment.
simple/ Bail bond cancelled.
3 Surety Bond Order - The surety is accepted
Date J.M.F.C.
(1) The Judicial Magistrate, First Class (and not Civil Judge-
cum-Judicial Magistrate) at District Headquarters and the Special Judicial Magistrates (Railways, Motor Vehicles and Municipal or Corporation) are permitted to use the rubber stamps for passing judicial orders in N. C. Cases, summary cases in which the accused persons plead guilty, remand cases and for accepting the sureties. In no other case they should use rubber stamps even for putting formal questions to the accused persons.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 43 Cr.WP 1849-10 (2) So far as the Judicial Magistrates at Taluka places are concerned, they should not make use of the rubber stamps even to the limited extent as stated above, because the number of N. C. Cases, Summary Cases and remand orders is very small. However, in case a Judicial Magistrate at Taluka place wants to avail himself of this facility, he should make out a case giving the number of institutions and disposals of N.C.Cases and Summary Cases to the District Judge who should in turn examine the proposal and make a suitable recommendation to the High Court for authorising such Magistrate or Magistrates to make the use of the rubber stamps.
The Magistrates are permitted to use the aforesaid rubber stamps on condition that they exercise proper care and due attention in striking out unnecessary words and in filling the gaps, that these rubber stamp orders are recorded by them personally and not by their Judicial Clerks and that they personally strike out unnecessary words and fill in the gaps in their own handwriting."
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 44 Cr.WP 1849-10 47 It appears that in order to save time, such rubber stamps were already put on the said 'charge-sheets', but from this it cannot be suggested that the Magistrate thereby committed any illegality.
Certainly, if an accused would plead not guilty, the rubber-stamp impression would have no meaning and would be cancelled by the Magistrate. There is nothing illegal in the use of such rubber stamps, provided such use in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Manual.
48 Thus, there is no substance in the contention of any of the petitioners / applicants that their prosecution is bad in law and/or that it is in contravention of the legal provisions, except to the extent that it must be laid down that it would be mandatory for the Magistrate to supply a copy of the "charge-sheet" and the documents relied upon the prosecution to the accused, as soon as he appears before the Magistrate. It would be for the Magistrate to decide whether the plea of an accused should be recorded immediately thereafter, or whether it should be postponed to some other date; but if the accused needs time to go through the "charge-sheet", the Magistrate should grant such Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 45 Cr.WP 1849-10 time. It would be unreasonable to insist on recording the plea of an accused as soon as the copy of the "charge-sheet" is supplied to him.
This direction needs to be given to all the Magistrates in the State of Maharashtra.
49 The various questions posed by the petitioners/applicants are, therefore, answered as follows in view of the aforesaid discussion :
(i) Can charge-sheet be filed sans (It is believed that the term First Information Report ? 'charge-sheet' as appearing in this question refers to a police report) Yes, when there would be no First Information Report, at all.
(ii) Can in a summons triable case, (It is believed that the term charge-sheet be filed ? 'charge-sheet' as appearing in this question refers to a police report) Yes. If the 'summons triable' case relates to a cognizable offence or is a cognizable case, and if the police come to the conclusion that the commission of offence is disclosed, a police report, i.e. commonly called as "charge-
sheet" can be filed.
Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 46 Cr.WP 1849-10
(iii) Can in a trial, order be stamped Yes, provided it is in even before proceedings have accordance with para 7 of been initiated ? Ch.VI of the Criminal Manual issued by the High Court for the guidance of the sub-
ordinate courts.
(iv) Whether the offence punishable No. under Section 185 of the M.V. Act, is a cognizable offence ?
(v) Whether compliance of the No. provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter 'the code' for brevity) is necessary prior to prosecute a person, with respect to the said offence ?
(vi) Whether a police report under No. Section 173(2) in absence of compliance of Section 154 of the code, is null and void in the eyes of law ?
(vii) Whether it is incumbent upon a No. Not when the person i.e. Magistrate empowered to pass the accused for procuring an order of issuance of process whose presence the process is upon receipt of a police report ? to be issued is already present before the Magistrate.
50 The petitions / applications, therefore, fail.
51 However, it is directed that in all such cases i.e. cases under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Magistrate concerned shall forthwith furnish a copy of the "charge-sheet" and the documents on which the prosecution relies to an accused as soon as he appears before the Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 ::: This Order is modified/corrected by Speaking to Minutes Order 47 Cr.WP 1849-10 Magistrate. It is thereafter that the Magistrate shall state the particulars of the offence (as may be disclosed from the so-called 'charge-sheet' and the documents accompanying it, if any) to the accused, and record his plea in terms of section 251 of the Code.
If the accused needs some time to go through the "charge-
sheet" and, therefore, prays for a postponement of the recording of plea, the Magistrate should ordinarily grant such request.
52 These directions must be scrupulously followed by all the Magistrates in the State of Maharashtra.
53 The petitions / applications are dismissed, with the aforesaid observations.
Interim stay stands vacated.
The Learned Magistrates shall proceed further with the cases in accordance with law.
The petitioners/applicants shall appear before the respective Courts on 25 February 2013.
(ABHAY M. THIPSAY, J.) Tilak ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:33:17 :::