Patna High Court
Rajesh Mahto @ Rajesh Kumar vs The State Of Bihar on 13 February, 2025
Author: Chandra Shekhar Jha
Bench: Chandra Shekhar Jha
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.12930 of 2023
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-51 Year-2022 Thana- KHAGARIA District- Khagaria
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1. RAJESH MAHTO @ RAJESH KUMAR SON OF SRI RAMASHISH
MAHTO @ RAM SINGH R/O WARD NO.20, VISHNUPUR
CHATURBHUJ, P.S.- MUFASSIL (BEGUSARAI), DISTRICT-
BEGUSARAI (BIHAR)
2. KUMAR ALOK SON OF SRI ASHOK KUMAR CHOUDHARY R/O
WARD NO.20, NAND GRAM HEMRA, P.S.- BEGUSARAI SADAR,
DISTRICT- BEGUSARAI (BIHAR)
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
THE STATE OF BIHAR
... ... Opposite Party/s
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Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Mayank Shekhar, Adv
: Mr. Amritya Raj, Adv
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA
ORAL JUDGMENT
Date : 13-02-2025 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned counsel for the respondent.
2. The present quashing petition has been preferred to quash the order dated 08.06.2022 passed in Chitragupta Nagar Khagaria P.S. Case No. 51 of 2022, where learned CJM, Khagaria took cognizance for the offences punishable under Sections 170, 171 and 420 read with Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 2/19 Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code against the petitioners.
3. The brief case of prosecution as it appears out of self-statement of Sub-Inspector of Police, Sanjeev Kumar (first informant) that on 17.01.2022 at around 15:30 hours he received information that two persons in police uniform impersonating themselves as sub-inspector, roaming around in the Collectorate premises and were looking suspicious.
Upon information, the informant alongwith other police officials reached Collectorate and found petitioners near the stairs, wherein petitioner no. 1 was wearing uniform impersonating as sub-inspector and a badge where "SPCA"
was written with steel and the petitioner no. 2 was in civil dress. It is further alleged that upon seeing police personnel both petitioners tried to escape but informant and his team caught them after chasing. It is further stated that both petitioners were brought to the police station, where after verification and inquiry it was found that petitioners belong to a society called as "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" (SPCA) and were dressed similar to police officials without any authority, with an intention to deceive general Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 3/19 public.
5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of petitioners submitted that SPCA ("Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals") was incorporated under Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 22.08.1929, having Registration No. 178. It is pointed out that the society is running since long even before independence of this country and working for preventing cruelty to animals and therefore the work of society was recognized by the Animal Welfare Board (Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India). The society is further affiliated with World International SPCA having office at London. It is pointed out that society appointed petitioner no. 1 namely Rajesh Mahto @ Rajesh Kumar through its letter dated 01.07.2019 bearing letter no.
47 of 2019 and also petitioner no. 2 namely Kumar Alok through its letter dated 20.01.2021 bearing letter no. 5 of 2021, for the post of sub-inspector and inspector in SPCA. It is pointed out that Government of Bihar had issued notification in terms of Section 14 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890, where the persons nominated by SPCA Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 4/19 were given statutory power of inspectors. The aforesaid notification referred as annexure no. 4. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890 was repealed by Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. It is submitted that Inspector General of Police, Bihar through its letter dated 29 th November, 1961 approved the uniform for the inspectors of SPCA. It is pointed out that State of Bihar again issued a notification being S.O. No. 4273 dated 7th June 1990 & S.O. No. 4275 dated 7th June 1990 in terms of Sections 13(3), 32(1), 32(2) and 34 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, whereby persons appointed by SPCA were again conferred power of inspectors with a reference to the aforesaid provisions.
6. It is further submitted by learned counsel that police order no(s). 69 and 78 were published in terms of Police Manual Appendix 1 Section 34 of the Police Act. In view of aforesaid police orders, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bihar, issued a letter bearing Letter No. 7366 dated 14.08.2014 to the office Director General of Police, Bihar directing him to circulate the letter in order to assist Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 5/19 SPCA to prevent cruelty to animals. It is pointed out that in terms of aforesaid, members of SPCA are duly authorised to refer themselves as inspector and sub-inspector for specified purpose and they are entitled to wear uniform with SPCA badge. It is pointed out that even from the face of FIR, it is not appearing that petitioner was intended to cheat any person and allegation to deceive public appears based upon presumption.
7. While concluding the argument, learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that from the bare perusal of FIR and in view of aforesaid referred documents no prima-facie case is made out against petitioners and therefore, impugned order taking cognizance is fit to be quashed and set aside. In support of his submissions learned counsel relied upon the report of Hon'ble Apex Court decision in the case of State of Haryana and Others Vs. Bhajan Lal and Others reported in 1992 Supp (1) Supreme Court Cases 335.
8. The counter affidavit dated 22.12.2023 as filed by the State of Bihar not appears to contradict any of the Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 6/19 annexures and letters referred above by learned counsel for the petitioners, which suggests on its face that State is not in position to dispute the submission as advanced by learned counsel for the petitioners.
9. It would be apposite to reproduce annexure no(s). 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 here in below :-
Annexure-4 The 11th July, 1944 No. 2898. J - In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub. section (2) of section 7-A of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890 (XI of 1890), and in supersession of notification no. 1132.J., dated the 5th April, 19, the Governor of Bihar is pleased to authorise persons appointed as Inspectors by the Bihar Provincial Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to exercise the powers conferred by the said sub section. In respect of phooka or doom dev performed on any animals within the limits of their respective jurisdictions in the province of Bihar.
By order of the Governor of Bihar W.W. DALZIEL, Secy.
________ True copy of letter no. 1607/J dated Patna, the 9th February, 1950 from Sri S.P. Singh, A-11/1949 Esqr., B. L., Under Secretary to Government of Bihar, Judicial Department addressed to All Commissioners of Division (except Patna) regarding procedure for trial of cases relating to cruelty to animals.
I am directed to forwarded copies of the correspondence Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 7/19 noted in the margine and to say that Government agree with the views expressed by the Commissioner of the Patna Division. Necessary instructions may be given to the Magistrate in your Division.
Yours faithfully, Sd/-S. P SINGH, Under Secretary to Govt.
Annexure-5 Memo No. 10946 XLIII-38-78-61.
Office of the Inspector General of Police, Bihar.
Patna, the 29 November, 1961.
Aswin, 1883(C) To All Ss. P. Sub.: Uniform of the G.P.C.A Inspectors. The Inspector-General of Police, Bihar has approved the suggested change in the uniform and insignia of the S.P.C.A. Inspectors issued by the Hony. Secretary, State, S.P.C.A., Bihar from now.
The changes in uniform and insignia of the S.P.C.A. Inspectors are as under-
1. Senior Inspectors - Khaki Uniform consisting letter and district with the cap and three stars with blus cross.
(2) Junior Inspectors - Uniform as above with two stars with blus cross. Kindly acknowledge receipt of this letter.
Sd/-
21/11A.I.G. of Police, Bihar, Patna.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 8/19 Copy forwarded to the Honorary Secretary, States S.P., Bihar with preference to his memo no. 4676 dated 6.10.61 for information.
3. All running D.Is.G. for information.
Annexure-6 fcgkj ljdkj i"kqikyu ,oa eRL; foHkkx ¼i"kqikyu½ vf/klwpuk ,l- vks- la[;k&4273 iVuk&15] fnukad 7-6-90
------------------------- @ i"kqvksa ds izfr dzwjrk fuokj.k vf/kfu;e] 1960 ¼vf/kfu;e 59] 1960½ dks ikjk&13 dks mi&/kkjk ¼3½ ijk 32 dks mi ikjk ¼1½ ,oa ¼2½ rFkk /kkjk 34 dks "kfDr;ksa fcgkj jkT;iky }kjk jkT; i"kq Dys"k fuokj.k lfefr] fcgkj] ds }kjk fu;qDr fujh{kdksa esa fufgr dh tkrh gS vkSj os fcgkj jkT; ds vius&vius {ks=kf/kdkj dks lhek esa fujh{kd dk dk;Z djsaxsA 2& ea=h] LVsV ,l-eks-lks-,- fujh{kdksa ij dsoy rduhdh fu;a=.k j[ksaxsA fujh{kd iwoZ dh Hkkarh vkj{kh v/kh{kd ,oa mi&vkj{kh v/kh{kd dks lkSih ns[k js[k esa fujh{k.k ,oa vfHk;kstu dks dk;Z djsaxsA 3& iz"kklfud fu;a=.k vuqeaMy inkf/kdkjh@ftyk inkf/kdkjh ds ftEes jgsxkA ftyk inkf/kdkjh Lo;a ;k fdlh vij lekgRrkZ ds }kjk vkSj vuqeaMy inkf/kdkjh Lo;a ;k fdlh mi&lekgRrkZ ds }kjk buij dM+h&ls&dM+h fuxjkuh j[ksaxsA 4& fujh{kdksa ds f[kykQ tks Hkh fyf[kr@vfyf[kr f"kdk;rsa izkIr gksaxh mudks takp djkbZ tk;sxhA 5& fujh{kdksa }kjk lM+dksa ij psd iksLV dks O;oLFkk ykxw ugha dh tk;sxkA fdlh fo"ks'k ifjfLFkfr esa ftyk inkf/kdkjh dks iwokZ;qfDr iwokZuqefr ls Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 9/19 gh psd iksLV yxk;s tk;saxsA 6& buds dk;ksZa dks leh{kk izfr ekg ftyk ,oa vuqeaMy Lrj ij dh tk;sxhA 7& i"kqikyu foHkkx dks vf/klqpuk la[;k& 8286 fnukad 18&9&87 dks okil ysrs gq, jn~n fd;k tkrk gSA 8& i"kqikyu funs"kky; esa i"kqvksa ds izfr dzwjrk fuokj.k vf/kfu;e 1960 ds }kjk fcgkj jkT; esa ykxw izko/kkuksa ds fdz;kUo;u ,oa iz"kklu dks ns[kus ds fy, ,d dks'kkax [kksyk tk;xkA 9& ;g vkns"k fuxZr gksus dh frfFk ls izHkkoh le>k tk;sxkA lafpdk la[;k & 5 ,e ¼3½ 6021@90 fcgkj jkT;iky ds vkns"k ls] g-@& ¼vo/ks"k dqekj flag½ ljdkj ds vij lfpo Annexure-6/2 Government of Bihar Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Animal Husbandry) ...........
NOTIFICATION S.O. No. 4275 Patna-15, the 7th June, 1990 The Governor of Bihar is pleased to vest the powers under Sub-section (3) of Section-13, sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section "32 and Section 34" of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Act 59 of 1960 to the Inspectors appointed by Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 10/19 the State Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Bihar and they shall exercise the powers of inspection within the limits of their respective jurisdiction in the State of Bihar.
2. The Secretary, State S.P.C.A. Bihar shall exercise only technical control over the Inspectors of S.P.C.A. This Inspectors will do inspection and Prosecution - work under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Police/Deputy Superintendent of Police, as before.
3. The administrative control shall remain with the District Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The District Magistrate himself or through any Additional District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate himself or through any Deputy Collector shall exercise strict control over them.
4. Any written/un-written complaint received against the Inspector shall be investigated.
5. No check-post on the roads shall be established by the Inspectors. In special circumstances check-post shall be established only with the prior permission of the District Magistrate.
6. Monthly review of the work of Inspectors shall be donoate the District and Sub-divisional level.
7. The Notification No. 8286 dated 18.9.87 issued by the Animal Husbandry Department is withdrawn and cancelled.
8. A Cell in the directorate of the Animal Husbandry will be opened for looking into the implementation and administration of the provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 inforced in the State of Bihar.
9. It shall come into force from the date of issue of the order.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 11/19 File No. 5M(3)-6021/90 BY THE ORDER OF GOVERNOR OF BIHAR Sd/-
(A.K. SINGH) ADDITIONAL SECRETRY TO GOVERNMENT Annexure-7 POLICE ORDER NO 69 Co-operation between Police officers and Inspectors of the society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The attention of all officers is drawn to the necessity for fulli co-operation with the Inspectors of the society for the prevention of cruelty to Animals.
Police officers on their own initiative must take all possible action against persons found ill treating animals, as well as affording whatever assistance they can to the Inspectors of the Society. It is suggested that in order to facilitate prosecutions superintendents should see their District Magistrates and request that a particular Magistrate should be deputed to try cases under the Prevention of Cruelty in Animals Act at fixed hours on in particular days day each week.
While it is not intended that court officers should under take the prosecution of these cases, they must nevertheless give all the assistance they are It is clear that if the Inspectors of the Society are to spend most of the time prosecuting cases, they cannot spend adequate time indetecting offence the Inspectors are unable to conduct the prosecution them services for unavoidable reasons or when the resecution is difficult and the Inspectors need legal advice or other assistance.
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 12/19 In order further to facilitate these prosecutions, the S.P.C.A. Inspectors have been directed to send carbon copies of their reports to the A.P.P. direct in order that he may enter them in the Non-first Information Report Register immediately and take necessary action to expedite the receipt of the original reports from police stations.
The entry of the carbon copies in the N-on. First Information Report Register should ensure that no report is overlooked and that delays can be promptly checked.
Manual reference-see in P.M. Appx. I section 34 of the Police Act.
POLICE ORDER NO. 78Co-operation between Police Officers and Investigations of the directing for Presentation of Cruelty in Animal.
The prevention of all officers is drawn to the for fill intimation with the Inspection of the Society for the Prevention of the Animals.
Police officers on their own initiative must take all possible action for found ill treating animals whatsoever they own to the Inspection of the Society.
The suggested that in order to facilitate preventions Superintendent of the should are their District Magistrate and that a particular should be deputed to try owns under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act at fixed hours on a particular day or days Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 13/19 each week.
While it is not intended that court officers should undertake the prevention of these common they must, nevertheless, give all the assistance they not. It is clear that if the Investigation of the Society are of their time prosecuting uses any cannot spound adequate time detecting offences. A.D.P. showing the directed to assist the prosecutions themselves for reasons, or when the promotion is difficult and the Inspectors used legal advice or other assistance.
In order further to facilitate these prosecutors the S.P.C.M. Instructors have been directed to send carbon copies of their reports so the A.D.P. direct in order that he may enter them in the Non-First Information Report Register immediately and take necessary action to expedite the receipt of the original reports from police-stations. The entry of the carbon people in the Non- First Information Report Register should ensure that no report is overlooked and that delays on the promptly checked.
Manual reference-See section 84 (Appendix I) of Police Act.
Annexure-8 i= la[;k&LVs0@fofo/k&17@2017&--------------------------@ fcgkj ljdkj x`g ¼fo"ks'k½ foHkkx izs'kd] jktho jatu flUgk ljdkj ds fo"ks'k lfpoA lsok esa] iqfyl egkfuns"kd] fcgkj] iVukA iVuk] fnukad& vxLr] 2014 Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 14/19 fo'k;%& fcgkj ds fofHkUu ftyksa esa inLFkkfir LVsV ,l-ih-lh-,- fcgkj ds fujh{kdksa dks i"kq dzwjrk ls lacaf/kr vijk/kksa dks jksdus gsrq vko";d lg;ksx rFkk lqj{kk iznku djus ls lacaf/kr funsZ"k@vkns"k fuxZr djus ds lac/k esaA egk"k;] funs"kkuqlkj mi;qZDRk fo'k;d Jh jRus"oj izlkn flag] lfpo] LVsV ,l-ih-lh-,- fcgkj] iVuk ds i=kad 39@14 fnukad 23-07-2014 dh Nk;k izfr vuqyXud lfgr layXu djrs gq, dguk gS fd iqfyl vkns"k la-&69 ds vkyksd esa jkT; ds lHkh ftyk inkf/kdkjh rFkk iqfyl v/kh{kd dks LVsV ,l-ih-lh-,- fujh{kd dks i"kq dzwjrk ds fo:) dkjZokbZ djus esa lg;ksx iznku djus ls lacaf/kr funsZ"k fn;k x;k gSA vr% vuqjks/k gS fd iqfyl vkns"k la-&69 dk vuqikyu lqfuf"pr djk;k tk; rFkk vius v/khuLFk lHkh iqfyl inkf/kdkfj;ksa dks funsf"kr djus dh d`ik dh tk; fd LVsV ,l-ih-lh-,- fujh{kdksa dks i"kq dzwjrk ls lacaf/kr vijk/kksa dks jksdus gsrq vu0 ;FkksDrA fo"oklHkktu g-@& ljdkj ds fo"ks'k lfpo Annexure-9 PATNA HIGH COURT NOTIFICATION The 11th September, 1997 20th, Bhadra, 1919.
No. 416A: In exercise of power conferred upon the High Court under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act-2 of 1974), the Executive Officers named in column No. 2 of the table given below are appointed as Special Judicial Magistrate of second Class for a period of one year with effect from the date of Communication of notification to them within the territorial jurisdiction mentioned against their names in column No. 3 of the table, to try case under the prevention of cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which the are competent to try under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
They are also vested with the powers conferrable on a Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 15/19 Judicial Magistrate of the Second Class to try summarily the cases under the aforesaid act as are covered under section 261 of the Code of Cominal Procedure, 1973.
They are also vested with the powers to take cognizance of such cases which they are authorised to try in their territorial jurisdictions.
Sl. No. Name of officers with Jurisdiction
their designation & places for which
of posting. powers are
being vested
1 2 3
1. Sri Raghvendra Jha, For the area of
Executive Magistrate, Khagaria entire
Khagaria District.
By order of the High Court,
Manohar Lal Visa,
Registrar Central
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10. It would also be apposite to reproduce the paragraph no. 102 of Bhajan Lal Case (supra) which reads as under:
"102. In the backdrop of the interpretation of the various relevant provisions of the Code under Chapter XIV and of the principles of law enunciated by this Court in a series of decisions relating to the exercise of the extraordinary power under Article 226 or the inherent powers under Section 482 of the Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 16/19 Code which we have extracted and reproduced above, we give the following categories of cases by way of illustration wherein such power could be exercised either to prevent abuse of the process of any court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice, though it may not be possible to lay down any precise, clearly defined and sufficiently channelised and inflexible guidelines or rigid formulae and to give an exhaustive list of myriad kinds of cases wherein such power should be exercised.
(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 informant 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 Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 17/19 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 persons 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 Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 18/19 a view to spite him due to private and personal grudge."
11. In view of aforesaid factual and legal discussions and by taking note of the counter affidavit of the State, it nowhere appears that the State disputed the appointment of petitioners with SPCA. From different annexures as referred and reproduced here-in-above, particularly, Annexure-5, it appears that petitioners were entitled for "khaki uniform", which appears reason for present prosecution. Hence, it can be gathered safely that prima-facie no cognizable offence is made out against petitioners from the bare perusal of the FIR and as such present case is covered by the guidelines as mentioned in para nos. 1 & 3 of Bhajan Lal Case (supra), hence impugned order of cognizance dated 08.06.2022 with all its consequential proceedings, qua, both above named petitioners arising thereof as passed in Chitragupta Nagar Khagaria P.S. Case No. 51 of 2022, pending before learned CJM, Khagaria is hereby quashed and set aside.
12. Hence, this application stands allowed. Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.12930 of 2023 dt.13-02-2025 19/19
13. TCR (Trial Court Records), if any, be returned to the learned Trial Court alongwith the copy of this judgment.
(Chandra Shekhar Jha, J.) S.Tripathi/-
AFR/NAFR AFR CAV DATE N/A Uploading Date 13.02.2025 Transmission Date 13.02.2025