Bangalore District Court
State By K.S. Layout Police Station vs No. : 1. Smt. Padmamma on 4 February, 2019
IN THE COURT OF THE 44TH ADDL.CHIEF
METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU
Dated: This the 4th day of FEBRUARY 2019
:Present:
Smt. Mala N.D., LL.M.,
44th ACMM, Bengaluru
C.C.No.23975/2015
Complainant : State by K.S. Layout Police station
(By Asst. Public Prosecutor)
-V/s-
Accused No. : 1. Smt. Padmamma,
W/o Srinivas Naidu,
Aged about 52 years,
R/at No.3610, 69th Cross,
K.S. Layout, 2nd Stage,
Bengaluru.
2. Kabeer,
S/o Imran Khan,
Aged about 25 years,
R/at No.31, 4th Cross,
3rd Main, Ramakrishna Nagar,
Bengaluru.
3. Mubarak,
S/o Late Sultan,
Aged about 25 years,
R/at No.836, 31st Cross,
Thilak Nagar, Jayanagar
4th 'T' Block, Bengaluru.
2 C.C. No.23975/2015
JUDGMENT
The PSI of K.S. Layout Police Station has filed charge sheet against the accused No.1 to 3 for the offences punishable U/s.3, 4 and 5 of ITP Act.
2. The brief facts of the prosecution case are as follows:
It is alleged that, on 22/02/2015 at about 11.25 a.m. in the morning, C.W. 1 Sri. T.D. Raju conducted raid on the receipt of credible information that, accused persons are indulged in prostitution in house bearing No.3610, situated at 69 th cross, K.S. Layout, within the limits of K.S. Layout Police Station, found them in the said place.
On the basis of report given by C.W. 1, this case came to be registered against accused persons. During the course of investigation I.O visited the place of incident, drawn spot mahazar in the presence of the witnesses, seized M.O.1 to 5, recorded the statement of witnesses and after completion of investigation filed charge sheet against accused persons for the aforesaid offences.
3. The accused No.1 to 3 are on bail and they are represented through their counsel.
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4. The copies of the prosecution papers have been furnished to the accused persons as required under Sec.207 of Cr.P.C. The cognizance of the offences punishable U/sec.3, 4 and 5 of ITP Act has been taken as per Sec.190 of Cr.P.C.
5. The charge is framed, contents of charge have been read over and explained to the accused persons in the language known to them, they pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried. Hence, the prosecution is called upon to prove its case.
6. The prosecution, in order to prove its case has examined two witnesses as P.W. 1 and 2 and got marked five documents at Ex.P.1 to P.5 and six material objects at M.O. 1 to 6.
7. After completion of prosecution side evidence, the statement of accused persons as required under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. has been recorded, wherein they have denied the incriminating evidence adduced against them and they have not chosen to lead their side defense evidence. Hence, the case is posted for arguments.
8. Heard both the side and perused the material evidence on record.
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9. The following points would arise for my consideration:
1. Whether the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that, on 22/02/2015 at about 11.25 a.m. in the morning, C.W. 1 Sri. T.D. Raju conducted raid on the receipt of credible information that, accused persons are indulged in prostitution in house bearing No.3610, situated at 69th cross, K.S. Layout, within the limits of K.S. Layout Police Station, found them in the said place and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 3, 4 and 5 of ITP Act?
2. What Order?
10.My findings on the above points are as follows:
Point No.1 : IN THE NEGATIVE Point No.2 : As per final order for the following REASONS
11. Point No.1: In this case, the accused No. 1 to 3 have been alleged of illegally indulging themselves in prostitution business.
12. The prosecution in order to establish its case, has examined two official witnesses who have deposed about the conducting raid, apprehending accused persons, conducting mahazars, seizing of cash, mobile phone and nirodh packets and filing of charge sheet against accused persons. In support of evidence of these official witnesses, material independent witnesses have not been examined in order to 5 C.C. No.23975/2015 establish raid on the alleged date of incident. In addition, accused No.2 and 3 are stated to be the customers on whom the provisions of ITP Act does not attract which has been observed in the recent judgment of Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka. Therefore, much credibility cannot be attached to the evidence of these witnesses in the absence of evidence of independent witnesses.
13. Due to non-securance of mahazar witnesses and other material witnesses before this court, evidence of I.O. and other official witness becomes strength less. Under such circumstances, this court cannot hold accused No.1 to 3 as guilty minded persons.
14. More over, sufficient opportunity was given to secure remaining witnesses. It is to be noted that, this court has issued summons, warrants and proclamation in order to secure the witnesses. Inspite of giving sufficient opportunities none of them i.e. C.W. 2, 3, 7 and 8 have not been secured before this court. Hence, they have been discharged from deposing evidence. Therefore, prosecution has failed to prove its case against accused No.1 to 3 beyond reasonable doubt. Hence, benefit of doubt has to be extended in favour of accused No.1 to 3.
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15. As a result, the prosecution has failed to prove the charges leveled against accused No.1 to 3 with cogent, convincing and corroborative evidence. Therefore, above point No.1 is answered in the Negative.
16.Point No.2: In view of the negative findings on the above point No.1, I proceed to pass the following:-
ORDER Acting U/s.248(1) of Cr.P.C., accused No.1 to 3 are found not guilty and acquitted of the offences punishable U/s. 3, 4 and 5 of ITP Act.
The bail & bail bond of the accused and sureties shall stands cancelled.
Interim custody of M.O.5 and 6 to the concerned applicant are made absolute.
M.O.1 to 3 are ordered to be retained until disposal of split up case against accused No.2 and 3.
M.O.2 to 4 are ordered to be confiscated to the state, after expiry of the appeal period.
M.O.1 being worthless is ordered to be destroyed after expiry of the appeal period.
(Dictated to the Stenographer through computer and after corrections made by me and then pronounced by me in the Open Court on this the 4 th day of February 2019).
(Mala N.D) XLIV Addl.C.M.M., B'lore.7 C.C. No.23975/2015
ANNEXURE
1. LIST OF THE WITNESS EXAMINED FOR THE PROSECUTION P.W. 1: T.D. Raju P.W. 2: Abhijith.M.G.
2. LIST OF THE DOCUMENTS MARKED FOR THE PROSECUTION Ex.P. 1 : Police Notice Ex.P.1(a) : Signature of PW-1 Ex.P.2 : Record of reason Ex.P.2(a) : Signature of P.W. 1 Ex.P.3 : Spot Mahazar Ex.P.3(a) : Signature of P.W. 1 Ex.P.4 : Report Ex.P4(a) : Signature of P.W. 1 Ex.P.5 : FIR Ex.P.5(a) : Signature of P.W. 1
3. LIST OF THE WITNESS EXAMINED AND DOCUMENTS MARKED FOR THE DEFENCE NIL
4. LIST OF THE METERIAL OBJECTS MARKED FOR THE PROSECUTION M.O.1 : 10 Nirodh Packets M.O.2 : Demonetized Rs.500 notes M.O.3 : One Nokia Mobile M.O.4 : One Reliance Mobile M.O.5 : One Samsung Mobile M.O.6 : One Oppo mobile (Mala N.D) XLIV Addl.C.M.M., B'lore.8 C.C. No.23975/2015
Judgment pronounced in Open Court vide separate:-
ORDER Acting U/s.248(1) of Cr.P.C., accused No.1 to 3 are found not guilty and acquitted of the offences punishable U/s. 3, 4 and 5 of ITP Act.
The bail & bail bond of the accused and sureties shall stands cancelled.
Interim custody of M.O.5 and 6 to the concerned applicant are made absolute.
M.O.1 to 3 are ordered to be retained until disposal of split up case against accused No.2 and 3.
M.O.2 to 4 are ordered to be confiscated to the state, after expiry of the appeal period.
M.O.1 being worthless is ordered to be destroyed after expiry of the appeal period.
(Mala N.D) XLIV Addl.C.M.M., B'lore.9 C.C. No.23975/2015