Allahabad High Court
Sanjay Verma vs State Of U.P. on 15 September, 2023
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD A.F.R Neutral Citation No. - 2023:AHC:179506 Court No. - 91 Case :- APPLICATION U/S 482 No. - 10238 of 2023 Applicant :- Sanjay Verma Opposite Party :- State of U.P. Counsel for Applicant :- Imran Ullah,Sahibe Alam,Vineet Vikram Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Gajendra Kumar,J.
1. Heard lerned counsel for the applicant and learned AGA for the State-respondents.
2. The instant Application U/S 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed on behalf of the applicant for quashing the entire criminal proceedings emanating from charge-sheet dated 29.06.2021 and cognizance order dated 31.08.2021 in case No.618 of 2021 in relation to Case Crime No.286 of 2020, under Section 2/3 of Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention Act, 1986, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi, which is pending before the Special Judge (Gangster Act), Court No.3, Jhansi.
3. On the basis of gang-chart prepared/forwarded/approved by the Police and Administrative Authority, FIR was lodged against the applicant and five other co-accused persons. The First Information Report giving rise to the crime, which after investigation, has culminated in the charge-sheet impugned, was submitted against the applicant and five other co-accused persons on 22.08.2020 at P.S.-Nawabad, District Jhansi, by Vinod Kumar Mishra, Inspector (In-charge), P.S.-Nawabad, District-Jhansi with the allegation that applicant has an organized gang wherein he is a gang-leader, whereas five other co-accused are members of the said Gang. It is further alleged in the impugned FIR that applicant is a notorious criminal and has been involved in the offences of murder, kidnapping and extortion for quite sometime and is also obtaining pecuniary gains from the same.
4. It is submitted by the counsel for the applicant that applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case on the basis of mala fide intentions of the police as there is no evidence available on record to show that the applicant is a part of any gang. It is further submitted that impugned FIR was lodged on the basis of a gang-chart dated 08.08.2020, wherein, four cases have been shown against the applicant. It is further submitted that gang-chart prepared in the present case is not at all in consonance with the provisions of Rule 5(3)(c) of the Rules, 2021 as the same dictate that no cases where the accused has been acquitted shall be included in the gang-chart, whereas in the present case crime No.482 of 2015 has been included in the same. According to gang-chart attached with the present case, four criminal cases have been shown against the applicant no.1 registered as case crime Nos.229 of 2019, under Sections 713, 302, 201, 328/34, 411 and 404 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi (ii) Case Crime No.594 of 2019, under Sections 420, 406, 506, 504 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi (iii) case crime No.476 of 2015, under Sections 441, 447, 427, 506 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi (iv) case crime No.482 of 2015, under Sections 302, 120-B/467/468/471/41 9/420 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi. It is noteworthy that applicant is shown to have been involved in all the four cases cited in the gang-chart but the alleged members (co-accused) are shown to have been involved only in one criminal case registered as case crime Nos.229 of 2019, under Sections 713, 302, 201, 328/34, 411 and 404 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi, wherein applicant has already been enlarged on bail by the court concerned.
5. The gang chart of the said cases is reproduced here-in-under:-
Gang Chart -Gang Leader Sanjay Verma s/o of Hari Mohan Verma r/o 57, Vasudev, Bada Bazar P.S.- Kotwali, District-Jhansi. क्र०सं० लीडर/सदस्य का नाम व पता गैग लीडर/सदस्य मु०अ०सं० 229/19 धारा 364/120बी/419/420/467/468/471/302/201/328/34/411/404 भादवि थाना नवाबाद झाँसी आरोप पत्र सं० 462/19 दिनांक 01/12/19 मु०अ०सं० 594/19 धारा 420/406/506/504 भादवि थाना नवाबाद झाँसी आरोप पत्र सं० 224/19 दिनांक 07.11/19 मु०अ०सं० 476/15 धारा 441/447/427/506 भादवि थाना नवाबाद झाँसी आरोप पत्र सं० 443/15दिनांक 17.10.15 मु०अ०सं० 482/15 धारा 302/120बी/467/468/471/419/420 भादवि थाना नवाबाद झाँसी आरोप पत्र सं० 436/15 दिनाँक 11.10.15 1- संजय वर्मा पुत्र हरिमोहन वर्मा निवासी 57 वासुदेव बडा बाजार थाना कोतवाली झाँसी उम्र 55वर्ष गैग लीडर √ √ √ √ 2- योगेश कुमार गुप्ता पुत्र स्व० निखिल कुमार गुप्ता निवासी 67/02 ऋषि कुन्ज स्कूल भैरो खिडकी अन्दर विसात खाना थाना कोतवाली जनपद झाँसी उम्र 29वर्ष सदस्य √ ० ० ० 3- जितेन्द्र राय पुत्र मुरलीधर राय निवासी शिवपरिवार कालोनी डडियापुरा थाना कोतवाली झाँसी उम्र 31 वर्ष सदस्य √ ० ० ० 4- नरेन्द्र सैन पुत्र कृपा राम निवासी राजेन्द्र नगर उरई थाना कोतवाली उरई जनपद जालौन हाल निवासी रायविहार कालोनी नारायण बाग थाना नवाबाद झाँसी उम्र 31 वर्ष सदस्य √ ० ० ० 5- सर्वेश कुमार राय पुत्र मिथलेश कुमार राय निवासी बैकर्स कालोनी डडियापुरा शिवाजी नगर थाना कोतवाली जिला झांसी उम्र 37 वर्ष सदस्य √ ० ० ० 6- जय नारायण लिटौरिया पुत्र महादेव प्रसाद निवासी काशीराम कालोनी मण्डी के पीछे थाना कोतवाली जनपद ललितपुर उम्र 36वर्ष सदस्य √ ० ० ०
6. It is further submitted that according to the provisions of Rule 5(3)(e) of 2021, all the other criminal cases pending against the accused have to be attached with the gang-chart, but in the present case, no such separate list was attached with the gang-chart at the time when the same was approved. It is further contended that there is violation of relevant provisions of Section 2(b) of the Act as well as relevant provisions of Rules, 2021.
7. In response to the notice issued to respondent nos.1 and 2, a counter affidavit was filed which is duly sworn by Jai Prakash Yadav, presently posted as Inspector, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi, in which all the allegations and averments made in the affidavit filed in support of the application under section 482 cr.p.c. have been totally denied and it is asserted that accused-applicant is a gang-leader of the gang and is created a fear and terror in the society and is involved in anti-social activities for pecuniary and temporal gains and due to his terror and fear no person of public is coming forward to depose against him.
8. In response to the counter affidavit filed by the opposite parties, rejoinder affidavit was filed on behalf of the applicant, in which, the allegations and averments made in the counter affidavit were totally denied.
9. It is submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the applicant, that even if all allegations in the impugned FIR and charge-sheet are regarded as true, no case under Sections 2/3 of the Act of 1986 is made out against the applicant. In order to support the aforesaid submission, learned counsel has referred to the provisions of the gangster Act of 1986. He submits that there are two essential ingredients to constitute a gang. The two essential ingredients, according to learned counsel for the applicants, are 'violence' or 'disturbance of public order' indulged in by a group of persons, acting either singly or collectively, for the purpose of pecuniary gain etc.
10. It is the learned counsel for the applicants' submission that none of the offences charged against the applicant, either involves violence or the disturbance of public order. Therefore, even if there be allegations about pecuniary gain, the consequences under the Act of 1986 would not be attracted. He next submits that there are four base cases registered against the applicant, on the foot of which the present prosecution has been launched under Section 2/3 of the Act of 1986, out of which, in three cases, applicant has been enlarged on bail by the court concerned, whereas, in one case, he has been acquitted by the court concerned. It is also submitted that out of four cases, in two cases viz. case crime No.476/15, under Sections 441, 447, 427, 506 IPC, P.S.-Nawabad, District-Jhansi and case crime No.482 of 2015, under Sections 302, 120-B, 467, 468, 471, 419, 420 IPC, P.S.-Nawabad, District-Jhansi for initiating proceedings under Gangster Act, gang-chart was earlier prepared/forwarded, on which, after consideration and deliberation District Magistrate refused to approve the same for the aforesaid purpose. It is further submitted that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the case crime No.229 of 2019, under Sections 364, 120-B, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 302, 201, 328, 34, 411, 404 IPC, P.S.-Nawabad, District-Jhansi on the basis of mere suspicion. Further more this case is based on circumstantial evidence and alleged motive against the applicant is avoidence of marriage with the deceased, however, no active and specific role has been given to the applicant and the other case crime No.594 of 2019 under Sections 420, 406, 506, 504 IPC, P.S.-Nawabad, District-Jhansi is regarding fraudulent withdrawal of money from the account of the deceased of the previous case. It is further alleged that in that case, applicant is not alleged to have fraudulently withdrawal money from the account nor he has received any money in his account. It is further submitted that the cases allegedly filed against the applicant are regarding the offence/crime committed by him in his private/personal capacity nor as a gang-leader of any gang whatsoever for temporal and pecuniary gains. Therefore, in the submission of the learned counsel, the base cases are not available to provide foundation to the prosecution to pursue the present case under the Act of 1986. It is in the last submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that there is violation of Rules 5, 6, 11, 15, 16, 21, 24 and 26 of The Uttar Pradesh Gangster and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Rules, 2021, vitiating the gang-chart. He has emphasized that non-adherence to these rules has vitiated the basis of registration of the crime and a fortiori the police report and the prosecution. He has emphatically submitted that violation of the aforesaid rules is not mere omission but it shows that the proceedings before registering FIR has been carried out mechanically without giving heed to the provisions of law and rules, which are of fundamental importance as any false and malacious prosecution entails serious consequances resulting into the deprivation of life and personal liberty of the accused person, which cannot be deprived except for the procedure established by law as is enshrined in the Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The forwarding, recommending and approving authorities have not paid any heed or attention to relevant law and rules, while exercising their authority with regard to the preparation and approval of the gang-chart. The whole exercise on their part has been carried out without application of mind.
11. On the other hand, learned AGA vehemently opposed the aforesaid contentions and submits that applicant is a leader of the gang, who is involved in committing the anti-social activities and crimes for pecuniary and temporal gains, but he could not dispute the violation of aforesaid Rules.
12. Upon hearing learned Counsel for the parties, this Court is of opinion that in order to consider the submissions of learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned counsel for the State, it is imperative to refer to the relevant provoisions of the Act of 1986, which reads as follows:
As the Act being a special statute- The Act is a special statute which has been enacted for the prevention of and for coping with gangsterism and anti-social activities. The Object and reasons as well as preamble are quoted hereinbelow:-
Objects and reasons of the Act:-
Gangsterism and anti-social activities influenced the State Legislature in making introduction of such Act. The objects and reasons of the Act are that gangsterism and anti-social activities were on the increase in the state posing threat to lives and properties of the citizens. The existing measures were not found effective enough to cope with new menace. With a view to break the gangs by punishing the gangsters and to nip their conspirational designs, it was considered necessary to make special provision for the prevention of and for coping with gangsters and anti-social activities in the State. [Ashok Kumar Dixit v. State of U.P., 1987 (34) ACC 164: 1987 ACFR 230 AIR 1987 (All) 235 (All HC, FB)].
Preamble of Act.-The Act seeks to punish declared criminals who have deliberately chosen the life of crime. The activities of these professional perpetrators of organised crimes, violence and orgy has a far more baneful effect on the health and morals of the society and its people. If the activities of such recidivist are subjected to same punishment as that other ordinary criminals, the confidence of public in the efficacy and efficiency of State Administration is bound to shake. [Ashok Kumar Dixit v. State of U.P., 1987 (34) ACC 164: 1987 ACTR 230: AIR 1987 (All) 235 (All HC, FB)].
13. It is important to refer to the relevant provisions of the Act of 1986, which reads as follows:-
"2. Definitions.--In this Act,--
(a) x x x
(b) "Gang" means a group of persons, who acting either singly or collectively, by violence, or threat or show of violence, or intimidation, or coercion or otherwise with the object of disturbing public order or of gaining any undue temporal, pecuniary, material or other advantage for himself or any other person, indulge in anti-social activities (Act no. 2 of 1974), namely--
(i) offences punishable under Chapter XVI, or Chapter XVII, or Chapter XXII of the Indian Penal Code (Act no. 45 of 1860), or
(ii) distilling or manufacturing or storing or transporting or importing or exporting or selling or distributing any liquor, or intoxicating or dangerous drugs, or other intoxicants or narcotics or cultivating any plant, in contravention of any of the provisions of the U.P. Excise Act, 1910 (U.P. Act no. 4 of 1910) or the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 or any other law for the time being in force, or
(iii) occupying or talking possession of immovable property otherwise than in accordance with law, or setting-up false claims for title or possession of immovable property whether in himself or any other person, or (Act no. 61 of 1985)
(iv) preventing or attempting to prevent any public servant or any witness from discharging his lawful duties, or
(v) offences punishable under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Art, 1956, or
(vi) offences punishable under section 3 of the Public Gambling Act, 1867 (Act no. 104 of 1956), or
(vii) preventing any person from offering bids in auction lawfully conducted, or tender, lawfully invited, by or on behalf of any Government department, local body or public or private undertaking for any lease or right or supply of goods or work to be done, or
(viii) preventing or disturbing the smooth running by any person of his lawful business profession, trade or employment or any other lawful activity connected therewith, or
(ix) offences punishable under section 171-E of the Indian Penal Code, or in preventing or obstructing any public election being lawfully held, by physically preventing the voter from exercising his electoral rights, or
(x) inciting others to resort to violence to disturb communal harmony, or
(xi) creating panic, alarm or terror in public, or
(xii) terrorising or assaulting employees or owners or occupiers of public or private undertakings or factories and causing mischief in respect of their properties, or
(xiii) inducing or attempting to induce any person to go to foreign countries on false representation that any employment, trade or profession shall be provided to him in such foreign country, or
(xiv) kidnapping or abducting any person with intent to extort ransom, or
(xv) diverting or otherwise preventing any aircraft or public transport vehicle from following its scheduled course;
(xvi) offences punishable under the Regulation of Money Lending Act, 1976;
(xvii) illegally transporting and/or smuggling of cattle and indulging in acts in contravention of the provisions in the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960;
(xviii) human trafficking for purposes of commercial exploitation, bonded labour, child labour, sexual exploitation, organ removing and trafficking, beggary and the like activities;
(xix) offences punishable under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1966;
(xx) printing, transporting and circulating of fake Indian currency notes;
(xxi) involving in production, sale and distribution of spurious drugs;
(xxii) involving in manufacture, sale and transportation of arms and ammunition in contravention of Sections 5, 7 and 12 of the Arms Act, 1959;
(xxiii) felling or killing for economic gains, smuggling of products in contravention of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972;
(xxiv) offences punishable under the Entertainment and Betting Tax Act, 1979;
(xxv) indulging in crimes that impact security of State, public order and even tempo of life.
(c) "gangster" means a member or leader or organiser of a gang and includes any person who abets or assists in the activities of a gang enumerated in clause (b), whether before or after the commission of such activities or harbours any person who has indulged in such activities;
14. A perusal of the aforesaid provisions shows that violence or disturbance of public order alone are not the sine qua non of a gang as defined under the Act of 1986. It postulates a group of persons, who either acting singly or collectively, employ violence, or threat or show of violence, or intimidation, or coercion, ''or otherwise' with the object of (i) disturbing public order; (ii) or of gaining any undue temporal, pecuniary, material; or other advantage for himself or any other person, indulge in anti-social activities, enumerated in clauses (i) to (xxii) of sub-Section (b) of Section 2 of the Act of 1986.
15. It is a well settled cannon of statutory interpretation that a statute should be read and understood according to its plain grammatical meaning, unless that construction leads to an absurd result, or defeats the object and the very purpose of it.
16. Learned counsel for the applicants has also drawn attention towards the mandatory compliance with the provisions of Rule 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24 and 26 of the Rules of 2021 framed under the Act of 1986. These Rules have been made by the State Government in exercise of powers under Section 23 of the Act of 1986 to carry out its purposes. Rule 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24 and 26 are extracted below:
"5. General Rules.--(1) To initiate proceedings under this Act, the concerned In-charge of Police Station/Station House Officer/Inspector shall prepare a gang chart mentioning the details of criminal activities of the gang. (2) The gang-chart will be presented to the district head of police after clear recommendation of the Additional Superintendent of Police mentioning the detailed activities in relation to all the persons of the said gang. (3) The following provisions shall be complied with in respect of gang-charts--
(a). The gang-chart will not be approved summarily but after due discussion in a joint meeting of the Commissioner of Police/District Magistrate/Senior Superintendent of Police/Superintendent of Police.
(b). There may be no gang of one person but there may be a gang of known and other unknown persons and in that form the gang-chart may be approved as per these rules.
(c). The gang-chart shall not mention those cases in which acquittal has been granted by the Special Court or in which the final report has been filed after the investigation. However, the gang-chart shall not be approved without the completion of investigation of the base case.
(d). Those cases shall not be mentioned in the gang-chart, on the basis of which action has already been taken once under this Act.
(e). A separate list of criminal history, as given in Form No.--4, shall be attached with the gang-chart detailing all the criminal activities of that gang and mentioning all the criminal cases, even if acquittal has been granted in those cases or even where final report has been submitted in the absence of evidence.
Along with the above, a certified copy of the gang register kept at the police station shall also be attached with the gang-chart. In addition to the above, the information of crime and gang members mentioned in the gang-chart will also be updated on Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) portal and Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS).
6. Relevant provision of the Act to be specifically mentioned-(1) While preparing the gang-chart, it shall be clearly mentioned if the alleged act of the gang falls within the purview of clause (b) of Section 2 of the Act along with the relevant provision.
7. Charges mentioned in the earlier gang-chart not to be made the basis of charges in the new gang-chart-(1) If action has been taken against a gang in the past under the Act and at present a new gang has been formed by the member or gang leader of such gang which has changed its criminal territory or is indulging in new criminal activities, then while preparing the new gang-chart, any crime mentioned in the earlier gang-chart shall not be mentioned in the existing gang-chart and if crime is being committed by changing the gang, with new members or with new gang, then this fact should be clearly mentioned in the abstract of the gang-chart.
(2) In addition to the above, a list of criminal history may be attached separately.
11. Present status of witness and accused-(1) If any witness has turned hostile, it will also be clearly mentioned in the summary of gang-chart.
(2) In the concerned column of gang-chart, the present status of all the accused, whether they are presently in jail or on bail or absconding, shall be clearly mentioned.
13. Specific statement of offences committed for economic, material and temporal or similar other benefits.- While writing the abstract below the gang-chart and particulars separately with the gang-chart, the particulars of those offences shall be specifically mentioned:
(I) which have been committed for pecuniary, materialistic and temporal or similar benefits; or
(ii) which disturb the public order; or
(iii) which are a ground for detention under the National Security Act, 1980 (Act No.65 of 1980).
15. Arbitrary selection of gang/member of gang prohibited-
(1) There should not be a situation of arbitrary selection against any gang under this Act.
(2) If action is not to be taken against any member of a gang who has committed a criminal act in association with the said gang, then in such a case clear and reasonable grounds for not mentioning his name in the gang and gang-chart shall be recorded with reasons and evidences.
(3) The final decision as to whether to include or not to include the name of member of a gang in the gang and gang-chart shall be at the discretion of the commissioner of Police/District Magistrate.
16. Forwarding of Gang-Chart.--
The following manner shall be followed in the forwarding of Gang-Chart:
(1) Forwarding of the gang-chart by the Additional Superintendent of Police:- The Additional Superintendent of Police will not only take a quick forwarding action in the case but he will duly peruse the gang-chart and all the attached forms; and when it is satisfied that there is a just and satisfactory basis to pursue the case, only then will he forward the letter along with the recommendation given below on the gang-chart to the Superintendent of Police/Senior Superintendent of Police.
'Throughly studied the gang-chart and attached evidence. The basis of action under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 exists. Accordingly, forwarded with recommendation."
(2) Forwarding of the gang-chart by the district police in-charge:- When the gang-chart along with all the Forms is received by the Senior Superintendent of Police/Superintendent of Police with the clear recommendation of the Additional Superintendent of Police, he will also thoroughly analyse all the facts and when it is confirmed that all the formalities of the Act have been fulfilled and there is a legal basis for taking action in the case, then he should forward the gang-chart to the Commissioner of Police/District Magistrate stating that: "I have duly perused the gang-chart and attached forms and I am fully satisfied that all the particulars mentioned in the case are correct and there is a satisfactory basis for taking action under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. Accordingly, approved."
(3) Resolution of the Commissioner of Police/District Magistrate:- When the gang-chart is sent to the Commissioner of Police/District Magistrate along with all the Forms, all the facts will also be thoroughly perused by the Commissioner of Police/District Magistrate and when he is satisfied that the basis of action exists in the case, then he will approve the gang-chart stating therein that: "I duly perused the gang-chart and attached Forms in the light of the evidence attached with the gang-chart satisfactory grounds exist for taking action under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. The gang-chart is approved accordingly."
It is noteworthy that the words written above are only illustrative. There is no compulsion to write the same verbatim but it is necessary that the meaning of approval should be the same as the recommendations written above, and it should also be clear from the note of approval marked.
17. Use of independent mind.--
(1) The Competent Authority shall be bound to exercise its own independent mind while forwarding the gang-chart.
(2) A pre-printed rubber seal gang-chart should not be signed by the Competent Authority; otherwise the same shall tantamount to the fact that the Competent Authority has not exercised its free mind."
21. Records relating to sub-clause (iii) of clause (b) of Section 2 of the Act- If evidence related to possession of any land, etc. Is required, then the entries of that revenue record such as Khasra, Khatauni and map of such land shall be prepared and included in the investigation.
24. Expeditious Investigation-
(1) The investigation of any offence under the Act shall, as far as possible, be completed within six months.
(2) In unavoidable circumstances, after the approval of the district police in-charge, a maximum extension of three months can be provided.
(3) In no case, can the investigation be extended for more than one year.
26. Approval of district police in-charge-
(1) On receipt of the oral and documentary evidence collected in the case diary, the Commissioner of Police/Senior Superintendent of Police/Superintendent of Police shall again duly peruse all the facts.
(2) Before submitting the charge-sheet in the Court, the approval of the district police in-charge shall be mandatory.
17. Thus from perusal of the Rules, all that is required by Rules is that the Authorities recommending registration of a case under the Act of 1986 should come to the conclusion with an independent application of mind that a case under the Act of 1986 ought to be registered. Likewise, the Authorities approving the gang-chart also should come to the conclusion on an independent application of mind that a case under the Act of 1986 ought to be registered against the accused on the basis of the activities of the gang. However there is no prescription for the employment of particular words to serve as index of due application of mind.
18. It is pertinent to note here that the above noted rules of 2021 are in the form of procedural safeguards in relation to offences under the Gangsters Act. Even before these Rules of 2021, certain safequards were already, in place, in one way and the other in the form of G.Os. and Notifications/Communications issued by the Government/Executive Authority/Police Authority. These were all ad hoc Procedural Safequards to be observed and complied with by the concerned authorities while dealing with gangster cases, just to make a stop gap arrangement and an effort to plug the void, in place of formal Rules as contemplated by Section 23 of the Act.
oh0ds0ch0 uk;j डीजी परिपत्र संख्या-27/2003 vkbZ0ih0,l0 iqfyl egkfuns'kd mRrj izns'k] 1]frydekxZ] y[kuÅA fnukad&vDVwcj] 24] 2003 fiz; egksn;] m0iz0 esa vijk/kh] vijkf/k;ksa] vjktd rRoksa] lewg cukdj vijk/k djus okys yksxksa] lekt fojks/kh fdz;k dykiksa esa layXu O;fDr;ksa ij fu;U=.k j[kus rFkk mudh xfrfof/k;ksa ij vadq'k cuk;s j[kus ds mn~ns'; ls izns'k esa m0iz0 xq.Mk fu;U=.k vf/kfu;e 1970 ,oa m0iz0 fxjksg cUn ,oa lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e 1986 dk izko/kku gSA bu vf/kfu;eksa dk mi;ksx dsoy ik= O;fDr;ksa ds fo:) gh gks ,oa bldk nq:i;ksx u gks] blfy, bl fo"k; ij le; le; ij foLr`r funsZ'k tkjh fd;s x;s gS] fdUrq0 ek0 mPp U;k;ky; rFkk bl eq[;ky; ds laKku esa dqN ,sls izdj.k vk;s gSa] ftlls ;g izrhr gksrk gS fd bu vf/kfu;eksa dk nq:i;ksx jksdus ds fy, 'kklu }kjk tks fn'kk&funsZ'k tkjh fd;s x;s gS mudk mfpr ek0 mPp U;k;ky; us fjV ;kfpdk la[;k 6249@2003 vejukFk nqcs cuke m0iz0 jkT; ,oa vU; esa m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k&dyki vkSj fxjksg cUn vf/kfu;e ds nq:i;ksx ij vizlUurk O;Dr fd;k gS rFkk ;g funsZ'k fn;k gS fd mijksDr dk nq:i;ksx djus okys vf/kdkfj;ksa ij Hkkjh vFkZn.M yxk;k tk ldrk gS A vr% mijksDr nksuksa vf/kfu;eksa ds fdz;kUo;u ds lEcU/k esa fuEufyf[kr fn'kk&funsZ'k tkjh fd;s tk jgs gS A vki v{kj'k% vuqikyu lqfuf'pr djsa] vkidks ;g Hkh lpsr fd;k tkrk gS fd ;fn Hkfo"; esa dksbZ ,slk izdj.k laKku esa vkrk gS ftlls ;g izrhr gks fd bu funsZ'kksa dk mYya?ku fd;k x;k gS ;k izdj.k ds fo'ys"k.k ls ,slk Li"V gks fd vkidh ;k vkids fdlh v/khuLFk }kjk tkucw>dj] ykijokgh ;k =qfViw.kZ vkpj.k ds dkj.k fdlh funsZ'k O;fDr ds fo:) mijksDr vf/kfu;eksa ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh dh x;h gS rks nks"kh v/khuLFk iqfyl dfeZ;ksa ds vfrfjDr vkids fo:) dBksj n.MkRed dk;Zokgh dh tk;sxh A m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ,oa fxjksg cUn vf/kfu;e 1986 ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh& 1& m0iz0 fxjksg cUn vf/kfu;e ,oa lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e 1986 ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh djus ds fy, m0iz0''kklu ds 'kklukns'k la[;k& 3216@8&9&1986 fnukad 23 twu] 1986] 'kklukns'k la[;k 3352@ N&iq0&9&1997 fnukad 10 vDVwcj] 1997 }kjk foLr`r fn'kk funsZ'k tkjh fd;s x;s gS A fdlh Hkh vijkf/kd izo`fRr ds O;fDr ds fo:) dk;Zokgh djus ls iwoZ ;g lqfuf'pr djsa fd lEcfU/kr O;fDr bl vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh fd;s tkus ds fy, ik= gS A 2& fdlh Hkh fxjksg ds fo:) dk;Zokgh djus ds fy, mlds fo:) dsoy mUgha ekeyksa dks vkijkf/kd lwph esa lfEefyr ekuuk pkfg, ftu ekeyksa esa iqfyl } kjk foospuk ds mijkUr vkjksi&i= izsf"kr dh tk pqdh gS ;k U;k;ky; }kjk fopkj.k ds mijkUr vfHk;qDr dks nks"keqDr fd;k tk pqdk gS] mls vkijkf/kd fooj.k esa lfEefyr u fd;k tk;A 3& ftu ekeyksa ds vk/kkj ij m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ,oa fxjksg cUn vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh dh x;h gS mlh vk/kkj ij iqu% dk;Zokgh u dh tk;s vFkkZr fdlh fxjksg ds fo:) m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ,oa fxjksg cUn vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh djus ds ckn dksbZ u;k vijkf/kd d`R; izdk'k esa vkus ij gh m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh dh tk;s A 4& fdlh fxjksg ds fo:) dk;Zokgh izkjEHk djus ds fy, Fkkuk/;{k }kjk fxjksg ds vkijkf/kd fooj.k dk mYys[k djrs gq, pkVZ rS;kj fd;k tk;sxk rFkk pkVZ ds vfrfjDr fxjksg ds fdz;k dykiksa dk fooj.k nsrs gq, rFkk fxjksg ds fdu&fdu O;fDr;ksa ds fo:) dk;Zokgh fd;k tkuk izLrkfor gS] mldk Li"V mYys[k djrs gq, izfrosnu izLrqr fd;k tk;sxk tks {ks=kf/kdkjh rFkk vij iqfyl v/kh{kd dh Li"V laLrqfr ds ckn ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd dks izLrqr fd;k tk;sxk A 5& ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh vius Lrj ij fxjksg ds lnL;ksa ds vkijkf/kd fooj.k rFkk muds fØ;k dykiksa dk Hkyh Hkakfr ijh{k.k ds mijkUr ftykf/kdkjh ds lkFk fopkj&foe'kZ djds lwph dks vfUre :i iznku djsaxsA 6& izfrosnu rFkk xSax pkVZ ij ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd ,oa ftykf/kdkjh ds vuqeksnu ds mijkUr vfxze dk;Zokgh dh tk;sxh A 7& bl vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr iathd`r vfHk;ksxksa dh foospuk vfuok;Zr% Fkkuk izHkkjh }kjk dh tkuh pkfg, A 8& bl vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr iathd`r vfHk;ksxksa dh foospuk ds ckn vkjksi&i= Hkstus ls iwoZ ftykf/kdkjh ls lgefr izkIr dj yh tk;sxhA 9& foospuk dh vof/k esa ek0 mPpre U;k;ky; ds vkj0 ljyk cuke Vh0,l0 osy ,oa vU; esa ikfjr fu.kZ; fnukad 13 vizSy] 2002 dk Hkh vuqikyu fd;k tk;sA
19. Here, it is pertinent to mention here that above letters were issued by the D.G. Police and thereafter G.O. Dated 02.01.2004, pursuant to the direction given by this Court while deciding Writ Petition No. 6249/2003 Inre: Amar Nath Dubey Vs. State of U.P.
20. Noticing the above letter, and the direction contained in the order of Division Bench of this Court, Principal Secretary (Homes) issued yet another set of procedure/instruction mentioning therein the manner in which gang chart in relation to offences under the Gangsters Act has to be prepared. These were all ad hoc practices adopted by higher bureaucracy just to make a stop gap arrangement and an effort to plug the void, in place of formal Rules as contemplated by Section 23 of the Act. Clause 2 of these instructions would indicate the details of information that has to be contained therein. The said instruction issued by Principal Secretary Homes, in the shape of Government Order is extracted herein below: -
"la[;k 137 iz0la0@6&iq0&11&2003&58¼fjV½@2003 izs"kd] vfuy dqekj] izeq[k lfpo] m0iz0 'kkluA lsok esa] leLr ftykf/kdkjh] tuinh; ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd] mRrj izns'kA x`g ¼iqfyl½ vuqHkkx&11 y[kum fnukad 2 tuojh 2004 egksn;] ek0 mPp U;k;ky;] bykgkckn ds }kjk fjV ;kfpdk la[;k 6249@2003 vejukFk nqcs cuke m0iz0 jkT; ,oa vU; esa m0iz0 fxjksgcUn o lektfcjks/kh fØ;k dyki fuokj.k vf/kfu;e ds nq:i;ksx ij fpUrk O;Dr dh gSA ek0 mPp U;k;ky; us m0iz0 fxjksgcUn fuokj.k vf/kfu;e m0iz0 xq.Mk vf/kfu;e ,oa ,u0Mh0ih0,l0 vf/kfu;e ds lE;d mi;ksx gsrq vko';d fn'kk funsZ'k tkjh djus ,oa nq:i;ksx jksdus gsrq ;Fkksfpr dne mBkus ds fy, dMs funsZ'k fn;s gS A bu vf/kfu;eksa ds lE;d lnqi;ksx djus ,oa buds nq:i;ksx ds jksdFkke gsrq le; le; ij foLr`r funsZ'k iwoZ esa tkjh fd;s x;s gSA ijUrq ,slk izrhr gksrk gS fd bu vf/kfu;eksa dk nq:i;ksx jksdus ds fy, 'kklu@iqfyl egkfuns'kd] m0iz0 }kjk tks fn'kk funsZ'k tkjh fd;s x;s gS] mudk dMkbZ ls vuqikyu ugha fd;k tk jgk gSA vki lger gksxsa fd funksZ"k o fujijk/k O;fDr;ksa ds fo:) bu vf/kfu;eksa ds vUrxZr fn;s x;s vf/kdkjksa dk nq:i;ksx dqN vf/kdkfj;ksa }kjk fd;s tkus ds dkj.k 'kklu ,oa iqfyl foHkkx dh Nfo ij izfrdwy izHkko iMrk gSA vr% bl lEcU/k esa iqu% fuEufyf[kr fn'kk funsZ'k fn;s tk jgs gS] ftudk dM+kbZ ls vuqikyu lqfuf'pr fd;k tk;s& 1& leLr Fkkuk izHkkjh] {ks=kf/kdkjh] vij iqfyl v/kh{kd ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd] izHkkjh tuin ,oa ftykf/kdkjh bl vf/kfu;e esa fn;s x;s izkfo/kkuksa dk v/;;u djds bldks Hkyh Hkafr le> ysaA bl gsrq ;g tku ysuk jgsxk fd tuin Lrj ij ,d dk;Z'kkyk vk;ksftr djk yh tk;s ftlesa lHkh vf/kdkfj;ksa ds vykok tuin ds ftyk 'kkldh; vf/koDrk& QkStnkjh ,oa T;s"B vfHk;kstu vf/kdkjh izHkkjh Hkh vo'; mifLFkr jgsA ;fn fdlh vf/kdkjh dh fdlh Lrj ij bu vf/kfu;eksa ds fdlh izkfo/kku ds ckjs esa fdlh izdkj dh dksbZ 'kadk gks rks bl dk;Z'kkyk esa mudk fujkdj.k djk fy;k tk;sA 2& bu vf/kfu;eksa ds lE;d iz;ksx djus] n:i;ksx jksdus ds lEcU/k esa bl vkns'k ds ek/;e ls fuEuor fn'kk funsZ'k vkidks fn;s tk jgs gSA d`i;k budk dMkbZ ls vuqikyu lqfuf'pr djk;s & m0iz0 fxjksgcUn ,oa lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ¼fuokj.k½ vf/kfu;e ds lE;d mi;ksx djus@nq:i;ksx jksdus ds lEcU/k esa fn'kk funsZ'k& 1& bl vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh dsoy mUgha vijkf/k;ksa ds fo:) dh tk;s] ftudh vkijkf/kd xfrfof/k bl vf/kfu;e esa fn;s x;s izkfo/kku dh ifjf/k ds vUrxZr vkrh gS A 2& fdlh fxjksg ds fo:) dk;Zokgh izkjEHk djus ds fy, Fkkuk izHkkjh }kjk fxjksg ds vkijkf/kd fooj.k dk mYys[k djrs gq, pkVZ rS;kj fd;k tk;sxk rFkk pkVZ ds vfrfjDr fxjksg ds fØ;k dykiksa dk fooj.k nsrs gq, rFkk fxjksg ds fdu fdu O;fDr;ksa ds fo:) dk;Zokgh fd;k tkuk izLrkfor gS] mldk Li"V mYys[k djrs gq, vk[;k izLrqr dh tk;sxh] tks {ks=kf/kdkjh rFkk vij iqfyl v/kh{kd dh Li"V laLrqfr ds ckn ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh dks izLrqr dh tk;sA 3& ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh vius Lrj ij fxjksg ds lnL;ksa ds vijkf/kd fooj.k rFkk muds fØ;k dykiksa dk Hkyh Hkakfr ijh{k.kr ds mijkUr ftykf/kdkjh ds lkFk fopkj foe'kZ djds bl lwph dks vfUre :i iznku djsaxsA 4& mDr vk[;k rFkk xSax pkVZ ij ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh ,oa ftykf/kdkjh ds vuqeksnu ds mijkUr vfxze dk;Zokgh dh tk;sxhA 5& fdlh Hkh fxjksg ds fo:) dk;Zokgh djus ds fy, mlds fo:) dsoy mUgha ekeyksa dks vijkf/kd lwph esa lfEefyr ekuuk pkfg,] ftu ekeyksa esa iqfyl }kjk foospuk ds mijkUr vkjksi i= izsf"kr fd;k tk pqdk gSA ftu ekeyksa esa vfUre fjiksVZ izsf"kr dh tk pqdh gS ;k U;k;ky; }kjk fopkj.k ds mijkUr vfHk;qDr dks nks"keqDr fd;k tk pqdk gS mls vkijkf/kd fooj.k esa lfEefyr u fd;k tk;sA 6&ftu ekeyksa ds vk/kkj ij m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fdz;k dyki ,oa fxjksgcUn vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh dh x;h gS] mlh vk/kkj ij iqu% dk;Zokgh u dh tk;sA vFkkZr fdlh fxjksg ds fo:) m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ,oa fxjksgcUn vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh djus ds ckn dksbZ u;k vkijkf/kd d`R; tks bl vf/kfu;e ds izkfo/kkuksa dh ifjf/k esa gks] izdk'k esa vkus ij gh m0iz0 lekt fojks/kh fØ;k dyki ds vUrxZr dk;Zokgh dh tk;s A 7& bl vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr iathd`r vfHk;ksxksa dh foospuk vfuok;Zr% nwljs Fkkus ds izHkkjh }kjk dh tkuh pkfg, A 8& bl vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr iathd`r vfHk;ksxksa dh foospuk ds ckn ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh ls vuqeksnu izkIr djus ds mijkUr gh vkjksi i= U;k;ky; izsf"kr fd;k tk;A 9& fxjksgcUn vf/kfu;e ds vUrxZr eqdnek iathd`r djus ds mijkUr foospuk ds i'pkr U;k;ky; vkjksi i= izsf"kr djus gsrq vuqeksnu nsus ds iwoZ ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh dks Hkyh Hkafr larq"V gks ysuk pkfg, fd okLro esa ekeyk fxjksgxUn vf/kfu;e dh ifjf/k esa vkrk gS vFkok ughaA 10& ;gka ;g Hkh Li"V fd;k tkrk gS fd ;fn fdlh tuin esa bl vf/kfu;e esa fn;s x;s izkfo/kkuksa ds lEcU/k esa fdlh v/khuLFk vf/kdkjh }kjk vius drZO; ikyu dh mis{kk djus vFkok vius vf/kdkj dk nq:i;ksx dk dksbZ ekeyk izdk'k esa vkrk gS rks lEcfU/kr Fkkuk izHkkjh ,oa nks"kh ik;s x;s vf/kdkjh ds vykok tuin ds ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh Hkh mRrjnk;h ekus tk;saxsA XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX XX XXX lkekU; funsZ'k& 1& bu fn'kk&funsZ'kksa ds vuqikyu lqfuf'pr djkus dh ftEesnkjh tuin ds ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh dh gSA 2& ;fn fdlh tuin esa bu vf/kfu;eksa ds nq:i;ksx fd;s tkus dk dksbZ ekeyk izdk'k esa vk;s] rks fdlh Hkh Lrj ij nks"kh vf/kdkfj;ksa@deZpkfj;ksa dks cpkus dk iz;kl u fd;k tk;s] ojUk nks"k fu/kkZj.k djrs gq, rRijrk ls nks"kh ds fo:) dk;Zokgh dh tk;sA 3& bu vf/kfu;eksa ds vUrxZr fn;s x;s izkfo/kkuksa dk nq:i;ksx fd;s tkus dk ;fn dksbZ ekeyk izFke n`"V;k lgh ik;k tk;s rks lEcfU/kr Fkkus ds izHkkjh ,oa vU; nks"kh v/khuLFk iqfyl dfeZ;ksa dks Fkkus ls gVk fn;k tk;s ,oa rRijrk ls tkap djkdj muds fo:) n.MkRed dk;Zokgh dh tk;sA 4& izR;sd ekg ftykf/kdkjh ,oa ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd] izHkkjh viuh ekfld xks"Bh esa bl vkns'k ds ek/;e ls fn;s tk jgs fn'kk&funsZ'kksa ds vuqikyu ds lEcU/k esa Hkh vuqJo.k fd;k djsaxsA 5& lHkh dks ;g Li"V fd;k tkrk gS fd 'kklu vFkok iqfyl egkfuns'kd m0iz0 ds laKku esa ;fn dksbZ ,slk ekeyk vkrk gS fd fdlh ekeys esa bu vf/kfu;eksa dk nq:i;ksx fd;s tkus dh tkudkjh ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh dks gksus ds if'pkr Hkh ihfMr i{k dks U;k; ugha fnyk;k x;k vFkok nks"kh vf/kdkjh] deZpkjh ds fo:) ;Fks"B dk;Zokgh ugha dh x;h gS] rks ,sls ekeyksa esa ofj"B iqfyl v/kh{kd@iqfyl v/kh{kd izHkkjh ftEesnkj ekus tk;saxsA Hkonh;] ¼vfuy dqekj½ izeq[k lfpo la[;k ,oa fnukad rnSo izfrfyfi&fuEufyf[kr dks vko';d dk;Zokgh gsrq& 1& iqfyl egkfuns'kd] m0iz0A 2& iqfyl egkfuns'kd] vfHk;kstu] m0iz0A 3& vij iqfyl egkfuns'kd] lh ch lh vkbZ Mh] m0iz0A 4& vij iqfyl egkfuns'kd] jsyost] m0iz0 vkKk ls] ¼ nhfidk nqXxy½ fo'ks"k lfpo la[;k ,oa fnukad rnSo izfrfyfi&fuEufyf[kr dks vuqikyu lqfuf'pr djkus gsrq& 1& leLr e.My vk;qDr] m0iz0A 2& leLr iqfyl egkfujh{kd] tksu m0iz0A 3& leLr ifj{ks=h; miegkfujh{kd] m0iz0A vkKk l]s ¼nhfidk nqXxy½ fo'ks"k lfpo
21. Relevant Government Order dated 30.06.2014 reads as under:-
प्रेषक, राकेश बहादुर प्रमुख सचिव, उ०प्र० शासन।
सेवा में,
1.समस्त जिला मजिस्ट्रेट उ०प्र०।
2.वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक/पुलिस अधीक्षक, समस्त जनपद, उ०प्र०।
गृह (पुलिस) अनुभाग-9 लखनऊः दिनांक 30जून,2014 विषय- उत्तर प्रदेश गिरोहबन्द और समाज विरोधी क्रियाकलाप (निवारण) अधिनियम, 1986 के संबंध में दिशा निर्देश।
महोदय, श्री रजत सिंह जैन विशेष न्यायाधीश (गैंगेस्टर्स एक्ट)/ अपर जिला जज, बुलन्दशहर के उपर्युक्त विषयक पत्र दि० 20.06.14 (छायाप्रति संलग्न) का संदर्भ ग्रहण करें जिसके द्वारा उ० प्र० गिरोहबन्द और समाज विरोधी क्रियाकलाप (निवारण) अधिनियम, 1986 का दुरूपयोग रोके जाने संबंधी शासकीय निर्देशो का समुचित पालन न किये जाने की ओर शासन का ध्यान आकर्षित करते हुए इस संबंध में दिशा-निर्देश जारी किये जाने की अपेक्षा की गयी है।
2- इस संबंध में मुझे यह कहने का निदेश हुआ है कि शासन के पत्र संख्या-12/छः-पु०-11-2004-58(रिट)/2003 दि० 02.01.14 पत्र संख्या-यू०ओ०-6(1)/छः-पु०9-11-गृह (पुलिस) अनुभाग-4 दि० 09.02.11 तथा पत्र संख्या-यू०ओ०42/छः पु० 9-11 गृह (पुलिस) अनुभाग-4 दि० 18.05.11 (छायाप्रतियां संलग्न) द्वारा उ०प्र० गिरोहबन्द और समाज विरोधी क्रियाकलाप (निवारण) अधिनियम, 1986 का सम्यक, उपयोग करने एवं इसके दुरूपयोग की रोकथाम हेतु पूर्व में जो दिशा-निर्देश जारी किये गये है, कई प्रकरणों में उनके अनुपालन की ओर समुचित ध्यान नहीं दिया जा रहा है। पूर्व में निर्गत दिशा-निर्देशों के तारतम्य में इस संबंध में पुनः निम्नलिखित दिशा-निर्देश दिये जा रहे है जिनका कृपया जनपद स्तर पर कडाई से अनुपालन सुनिश्चित किया जायेः-
1- उ०प्र० गिरोहबन्द और समाज विरोधी क्रियाकलाप (निवारण) अधिनियम, 1986 में उल्लिखित प्राविधानों एवं इस संबंध में समय-समय पर शासन द्वारा जारी दिशा-निर्देशों का अध्ययन इससे संबंधित सभी अधिकारी भलीभांति कर लें। आवश्कतानुसार इस हेतु जिला मजिस्ट्रेट तथा वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक/पुलिस अधीक्षक द्वारा एक कार्यशाला आयोजित करा ली जाय, जिसमें जिला शासकीय अधिवक्ता (फौजदारी) और जिलास्तरीय संयुक्त निदेशक, अभियोजन/ज्येष्ठ अभियोजन अधिकारी सहित सभी संबंधित अधिकारियों द्वारा प्रतिभाग किया जाय।
2- इस अधिनियम के अन्तर्गत केवल उन्हीं अपराधियों के विरूद्ध कार्यवाही की जाये, जिनकी आपराधिक गतिविधि इस अधिनियम में दिये गये प्राविधानो की परिधि में आती हो।
3- इस अधिनियम के अन्तर्गत ऐसे सभी मामलों, जिनमें कार्यवाही की गयी है, कि निम्नलिखित समिति द्वारा त्रैमासिक समीक्षा की जाय। समीक्षा में यदि कोई विवेचनाधीन मामला फर्जी पाया जाये तो उसे नियमानुसार समाप्त करके पुलिस अभिलेखों से खारिज किया जाये। साथ-ही-साथ यदि ऐसा मामला न्याायलय भेज दिया गया हो जो समीक्षा में गलत पाया जाता है तो दण्ड प्रक्रिया संहिता 1973 में दिये गये सुसंगत प्राविधानों के अनुरूप उक्त मामले को वापस लेने हेतु नियमानुसार कार्यवाही की जाय।
(क) जिला मजिस्ट्रेट- अध्यक्ष (ख) वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक / पुलिस अधीक्षक- उपाध्यक्ष।
(ग) जिला शासकीय अधिवक्ता (फौजदारी)-सदस्य (घ) जिलास्तरीय संयुक्त निदेशक अभियोजन/ज्येष्ठ अभियोजन अधिकारी- सदस्य सचिव (4) इस अधिनियम के अन्तर्गत कार्यवाही प्रारम्भ करने के लिए थाना प्रभारी द्वारा गिरोह के आपराधिक विवरण का उल्लेख करते हुए गैंग चार्ट तैयार किया जाएगा। चार्ट में उक्त गिरोह के समस्त व्यक्तियों के संबंध में विस्तृत क्रिया-कलापो का उल्लेख करते हुए क्षेत्राधिकारी/ अपर पुलिस अधीक्षक की स्पष्ठ संस्तुति के बाद वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक/पुलिस अधीक्षक को प्रस्तुत की जायेगी।
(5)वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधीक्षक/पुलिस अधीक्षक अपने स्तर पर गिरोह के सदस्यों के आपराधिक विवरण तथा उनके क्रिया कलापो का भलीभांति परीक्षण करने के उपरान्त जिला मजिस्ट्रेट के साथ विचार विर्मश करके इस सूची को अंतिम रूप प्रदान करेंगे। जिला मजिस्ट्रेट के अनुमोदनोपरान्त अग्रिम कार्यवाही की जायेगी।
(6) जिन मामलो में उक्त अधिनियम के अन्तर्गत एक बार कार्यवाही की जा चुकी हो, पुनः उसी या न्यायालय द्वारा विचारण के उपरान्त अभियुक्त को दोषमुक्त किया जा चुका है उन्हे आपराधिक विवरण में सम्मिलित न किया जाये।
(7) इस अधिनियम के अन्तर्गत पंजीकृत अभियोगों की विवेचना अनिवार्यतः दूसरे थाने के प्रभारी द्वारा ही की जानी चाहिए।
संलग्नक- यथोक्त।
भवदीय (राकेश बहादुर) प्रमुख सचिव
22. It will be apt to take note of what has been held and observed by the Apex Court as well as the High Court with regard to the interpretation and application of the various provisions of the Act.
Status of criminal, not punishable- It is not the status of criminal, but the act which is made punishable. The activities of gangsters are offence under the Act since they pose grave threat to the even tempo of the society and, therefore, call for sterner and more deterrent punishment and speedier trial and early booking. (Ashok Kumar Dixit Vs. State of U.P.; 1987 (34) ACC 164).
The person who not liable to be punished- A person is not liable to be punished under the Act merely because he happens to be a member of a group. He comes within the clutches of the Act, when he chooses to join a group which indulges in any anti-social activities defined under the Act with use of force for gaining material and advantage to himself or any other person. (Ashok Kumar Dixit Vs. State of U.P.; 1987 (34) ACC 164).
Duty of the State to protect personal liberty of its citizens- Duty of State to protect personal liberty of its citizens, the State is duty bound to protect personal liberty of its citizens beyond doubt which is fundamentally guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India (Vimal Shukla Vs. State of U.P.; 2019 (1) ARC 299).
Necessity of deeper application of mind- The imposition of Gangsters Act calls for a deeper application of mind and the satisfaction of the authorities must be based on a definite opinion against an accused person. (Shubhankar Gupta Vs. State of U.P.; (2019) 1 A.Cr.R. 2) Caution for misuse of the provisions- The provisions of the Act cannot be used as a weapon to wreck vengeance or harass or intimidate innocent citizens or to settle scores on political or other fronts. The prosecution has to bear in mind that it has to bring home the guilt. (Ashok Kumar Dixit Vs. State of U.P.; 2007 (2) ACC 683 Alld.) Judicial scrutiny of the subjective satisfaction- In Gangster Act, a subjective satisfaction is open to limited judicial scrutiny, therefore, it would be wrong to contend that there is a complete embargo on the powers of Court to look at the sufficiency of the ground from any perspective. [Parvez Vs. State of U.P.; 2021 Crl.J. 4034 (All)(LB)].
There can be prosecution for single offence/FIR/chargesheet- On a fair reading of the definitions of 'Gang' contained in Section 2(b) and 'Gangster' contained in Section 2(c) of the Gangsters Act, a 'Gangster' means a member or leader or organiser of a gang including any person who abets or assists in the activities of a gang enumerated inclause (b) of Section 2, who either acting singly or collectively commits and indulges in any of the anti-social activities mentioned in Section 2(b) can be said to have committed the offence under the Gangsters Act and can be prosecuted and punished for the offence under the Gangsters Act. There is no specific provision under the Gangsters Act, 1986 like the specific provisions under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 and the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime Act, 2015 that while prosecuting an accused under the Gangsters Act, there shall be more than one offence or the FIR/charge sheet. As per the settled position of law, the provisions of the statute are to be read and considered as it is. Therefore, considering the provisions under the Gangsters Act, 1986 as they are, even in case of a single offence/FIR/charge sheet, if it is found that the accused is a member of a 'Gang' and has indulged in any of the anti-social activities mentioned in Section 2(b) of the Gangsters Act, such as, by violence, or threat or show of violence, or intimidation, or coercion or otherwise with the object of disturbing public order or of gaining any undue temporal, pecuniary, material or other advantage for himself or any other person and he/she can be termed as 'Gangster' within the definition of Section 2(c) of the Act, he/ she can be prosecuted for the offences under the Gangsters Act. Therefore, so far as the Gangsters Act, 1986 is concerned, there can be prosecution against a person even in case of a single offence/FIR/chargesheet for any of the anti-social activities mentioned in Section 2(b) of the Act provided such an anti- social activity is by violence, or threat or show of violence, or intimidation, or coercion or otherwise with the object of disturbing public order or of gaining any undue temporal, pecuniary, material or other advantage for himself or any other person. [Shraddha Gupta Vs. State of U.P. and others; (2022) 17 S.C.R. 622 (Para 10)(635-B-G)].
23. Considering the instant case in the light of the provisions of the Act and relevant Rules, it is evident that the gang chart in this case has been approved summarily without applying its mind as is apparent from the perusal of the gang chart. From the material available on record, it is apparent that the gang-chart was prepared, in which four cases are shown as base cases, which are as case crime Nos.229 of 2019, under Sections 713, 302, 201, 328/34, 411 and 404 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi (ii) Case Crime No.594 of 2019, under Sections 420, 406, 506, 504 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi (iii) case crime No.476 of 2015, under Sections 441, 447, 427, 506 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi (iv) case crime No.482 of 2015, under Sections 302, 120-B/467/468/471/41 9/420 IPC, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi. In case crime No.229 of 2019, missing report regarding the deceased was lodged with the Police Station concerned and after the investigation, story revealed that the deceased had a inclination to get married with the applicant and in order to get riddance of her and to avoid marriage with her she was done away with and her dead body was removed. This case is based on circumstantial evidence and his name came up on the basis of mere suspicion. In another case which is related with case crime No.594 of 2019 is related with the fraudulent withdrawal of money from the account of deceased, in which, applicant is not shown to have actively and fraudulently withdrawn any amount from her account and same was sent into his account or otherwise misappropriated. As from the record, it is clear that these above two case are apparently committed in private and personal capacity and the same do not come within the purview of the gangsterism. In another case i.e. case crime No.476 of 2015 along with case crime No.482 of 2015 have already been considered for the purpose of approval of the gang-chart, which has not been approved by the District Magistrate concerned vide order dated 04.12.2015. Above both the cases have also been included in the gang-chart on the basis of which, the present criminal proceedings have been launched, whereas in case bearing case crime No.482 of 2015, applicant has already been acquitted by the court concerned, has also been made the basis of the impugned FIR., which is against the provision of aforesaid Rules/G.Os./Notification/Communication by the Administrative Executive Authorities. Furthermore there is no specific mention of offences which have been committed for pecuniary, materialistic and temporal or similar benefits or which disturbs the public order as per Rule 13. Furthermore, quick forwarding action has been taken in this case without caring for the compliance of the relevant procedural safeguards. There should be satisfaction recorded to the effect that there is just and legal basis for taking action under the Act and there is satisfactory basis for persuing the case. The satisfaction so recorded should be there by using the mind independently but in the instant case the same is missing.
24. Considering the aforesaid submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties as well as perusal of records, it is evident from the records that at the time of approving the gang-chart, District Magistrate did not apply his mind as no reasons are recorded by him, resultantly, the lodging of FIR under Gangster Act is with malafide intention, in specific violation of procedural safeguards. It is further evident that the approving authority acted mechanically and the whole exercise lacks application of mind on the parts of the authorities concerned. The applicant has fundamental rights to life which include to live with honour and dignity and fundamental right of under Article 21 of the Constitution of India cannot be interferred with lightly. The applicant has been deprived of his liberty by the mechanical excecise/procedure undertaken on the part of the authorities concerned.
25. The procedural compliance in cases of gangster Act is of utmost importance, departure from the due process of law will give chance and provide fodder to the vested interests with singular agenda to spread false narratives. Verily, gangsterism poses an ominious threat to public order. Vile and abhorrent acts of gangsterism do evoke collective societal anger and anguish. While the war against gangsterism must be waged by the State with unwavering resolve but a civil democratic society can ill afford sacrificing the procedural safeguards provided under the law, and which is an integrated facet of the due process of law, at the altar of perceived peril to public order.
"The Siren Song that the 'end justifies the means', and that the procedural safeguards are subservient to the overwhelming need to ensure that the accused is prosecuted and punished, must be muzzled by voice of Rule of Law."
26. For all the reasons recorded above, the court is of the view that at the stage of preparing and approving the gang-chart on the basis of materials placed, the competent Authorities should have satisfied themselves that there is a legal basis and justifiction for taking and persuing action against the accused under the Act of 1986. At the stage of approval of the gang-chart, the approving Authority has to be satisfied that a case for action under the Act of 1986 is made out and that satisfaction should be reflected from the gang chart and other records. But in this case, the competent authorities, unhesitatingly just paid lip service to the legislative mandate and unfortunately had undertaken the whole exercise of preparation and approval of the gang chart as a ritualistic formality without due application of mind. Thus, the initiation and continuation of the entire criminal proceedings is persecution and harassment of the accused, amounting to be sheer abuse of process of court and in order to otherwise ensure the ends of justice is liable to be quashed.
27. In such view of the matter, the entire criminal proceedings emanating from charge-sheet dated 29.06.2021 and cognizance order dated 31.08.2021 in case No.618 of 2021 in relation to Case Crime No.286 of 2020, under Section 2/3 of Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention Act, 1986, Police Station-Nawabad, District-Jhansi, which is pending before the Special Judge (Gangster Act), Court No.3, Jhansi against the applicant-Sanjay Verma is, hereby, quashed.
28. The Application is, accordingly, allowed.
29. A copy of this order be certified to the lower court forthwith.
Order Date :- 15.9.2023 Ashutosh (Gajendra Kumar, J.)