19. The Court before directing a complaint to be lodged,
must form an opinion on being satisfied or come to the
conclusion on such satisfaction that the person charged
has intentionally given false evidence and such formation
of opinion must be on consideration of materials duly
placed. The same is the observation by the Calcutta High
Court in the case of Bibhuti Basu Vs. Corporation of
Calcutta reported in 1982 Cr.L.J page 909. In the said
decision, the Calcutta High Court has observed thus;
8. The provisions of Section 340 are more or less procedural. Before directing a complaint to be lodged the court must form an opinion on being satisfied and come to the conclusion on such satisfication that the person charged has intentionally given false evidence and that for the eradication of the evils of perjury and in the interest of justice it is expedient that he should be prosecuted. The opinion must be formed at the time or before delivering the judgment. It may also be advantageous to consider whether there was mens rea in giving the false evidence. If there is any doubt in the mind of the court in respect of the bona fides of the defence of the person exercise of the power may not be justified. Bibhuti Bhusan Basu v. Corporation of Calcutta, 1982 Cri LJ 909 (Cal).
In the case of Bibhuti Bhusan Basu v. Corporation of Calcutta and Ors. reported in 1982 Cri. LJ 909(Cal), the Calcutta High Court also considered this aspect while dealing with the issue as to whether any affidavit filed by the executive officer of the Calcutta Corporation which subsequently established as false affidavit on perusal of the record would justify launching of criminal prosecution when it came to light that the executive officer was advised wrongly by the concerned clerk. Court held that there should not be any initiation of criminal proceeding.
It cannot be ignored that the
recommendation for action under Section 340 should be at the satisfaction of
the Court making recommendation as to mens rea of the party sought to be
proceeded against as observed in Bibhuti Bhusan Bassu vs. Corporation of
Calcutta and others : 1982 Criminal Law General 909. The respondent has
however failed to demonstrate as to how, the averment made in the reply as
to denial of their relationship, could be considered to be made with the
9 of 10
::: Downloaded on - 05-02-2025 00:18:39 :::
Neutral Citation No:=2025:PHHC:015826
CRM-M-50563-2022 10-
intention to do any wrong to the respondent, even if, the same was to be
considered as a false averment. On considering the overall facts and
circumstances and in view of the position of law as discussed above, this
Court is satisfied that it was not expedient in the interest of justice that the
petitioner should have been prosecuted for the offences of perjury. It cannot
be stated that there was any deliberate and conscious attempt on the part of
the petitioner to misguide the Court and to interfere in the administration of
justice. Rather, this Court is of the opinion that it will be in the interest of
justice to avoid perpetual precipitation of the ill will amongst the parties by
giving a quietus to the proceedings so initiated. Accordingly, the impugned
order is set aside and the petition is allowed.
The Karnataka
High Court in Rajesh K.N. (supra) further relied on the observations by the
Calcutta High Court in the case of Bibhuti Basu v. Corporation of
Calcutta, 1982 Cri LJ 909 wherein it was held that: