Xxxxxxxxxxxx vs Xxxxxxxxxxxx on 27 April, 2026

    0
    38
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Punjab-Haryana High Court

    Xxxxxxxxxxxx vs Xxxxxxxxxxxx on 27 April, 2026

               CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M)                                                             -1-
                                   IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
                                                AT CHANDIGARH
                                                                 CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M)
                                                                 Reserved on: 08.04.2026
                                                                 Pronounced on: 27.04.2026
                                                                 Uploaded on: 27.04.2026
               Mandeep Singh
                                                                                     ..Petitioner
    
                                                          Versus
               State of Haryana and another
                                                          ..Respondents

    CORAM: HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL
    Present: Mr. Suvir Sidhu, Advocate
    Mr. Gursher Singh Dhillon, Advocate and
    Mr. Naman Gumber, Advocate for the petitioner.

    Mr. Vikas Bhardwaj, AAG Haryana.

    SPONSORED

    Mr. Ajay Singh Ghangas, Advocate
    for respondent No.2.

    SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL, JUDGE

    1. Prayer in the petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal

    Procedure, 1973 is for quashing of order dated 09.07.2021 passed by learned

    Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat and all subsequent proceedings arising

    therefrom.

    2. A complaint under Section 376, 420, 506 IPC was filed by

    respondent No.2/complainant for registration of case and for investigation

    under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C.. Learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Panipat

    called for report from the police station concerned, heard learned counsel for

    the complainant and vide order dated 10.12.2020 declined the prayer for

    registration of case under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. observing that it would be

    appropriate to direct the complainant to lead preliminary evidence as it was

    not a fit case to be sent to police station for registration of FIR. The case was

    posted for preliminary evidence of the complainant.

    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document

    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -2-

    3. A criminal revision was filed before learned Additional Sessions

    Judge, Panipat, challenging order dated 10.12.2020 of learned Judicial

    Magistrate Ist Class, Panipat. Learned Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat,

    relying upon the dictum of the Apex Court in Lalita Kumari versus

    Government of U.P. (2014) 2 SCC (1) set aside the order of learned Judicial

    Magistrate Ist Class, Panipat and directed learned Judicial Magistrate Ist

    Class, Panipat to send the complaint under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. for

    registration of FIR and for investigation.

    4. The facts as narrated in the complaint:

    The complainant alleged that in the year 2019 she connected

    with the accused through TIK-TOK. Thereafter, they started calling each

    other on phone. Accused told her that he was an unmarried army man posted

    in Roorkee, sent her pictures in uniform and expressed desire to meet her. In

    the year 2019, on the occasion of Diwali, he came on 10 days leave and

    called the complainant to Panipat Bus stand from where he took her to the

    office of his friend on his Bullet motor cycle where he promised to marry

    her. They remained in the office for about 2 hours after which accused

    dropped her at Bus Stand Panipat and went home. Thereafter, they started

    talking to each other day and night and accused-petitioner promised to marry

    her very soon. 2-3 days after Diwali, accused again came to Panipat, took

    her to the office of his friend where he kissed her and assured that he would

    marry her when he came on leave again. After that he went back on duty but

    continued to talk to her regularly day and night. In February 2020, accused

    came on leave on the occasion of Holi and assured the complainant that he

    would talk to his parents about their marriage. He also took his cousin sister
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -3-

    on conference, who too assured that accused would marry her. On

    29.02.2020, he repeatedly asked the complainant to meet him in Panipat.

    She reached Bus Stand Panipat on 01.03.2020 at 9:30 a.m. from where he

    took her to Skylark Hotel, Panipat, on the pretext of talking comfortably. On

    his false assurance, complainant went to Room No. 108 in Skylark Hotel,

    Panipat, where he offered her eatables after consuming which she became

    semi conscious. Accused then laid her on the bed and removed her clothes

    saying that they would be married in sometime and would remain together

    the whole life. He then had sexual intercourse with her twice by giving false

    promise of marriage. Thereafter, he took photographs with her and after

    about 3 hours, dropped her and left for his home. He again called the

    complainant on her mobile phone and when she asked him to talk to his

    parents for marriage, he assured that he would marry her soon.

    5. Complainant further alleged that she made telephone calls to the

    accused for two days and again asked him to talk to his parents for marriage,

    but he avoided the matter. On 03.03.2020, accused asked her to meet him at

    Panipat and when she refused, he threatened to post her pictures on facebook

    and ruin her life. She refused to meet him. The next day i.e. 04.03.2020,

    accused told her that he had spoken to his father, who did not agree for their

    marriage and had consumed poison. He also sent two pictures of his father

    admitted in hospital. After that, he stopped taking her phone calls.

    Complainant then narrated the whole story to her brother namely Rahul @

    Alisher and her mother. On 07.03.2020, she along with her brother and

    mother reached village of the accused where they met the Sarpanch and

    narrated the story to him. Husband of the Sarpanch informed that accused
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -4-

    was already married and had three children. The accused was also called and

    he admitted her version. Husband of the Sarpanch noted the entire incident

    in his Diary and sent them back with the assurance that justice would be

    delivered. On 13.03.2020, husband of the Sarpanch called the complainant

    to his village. Complainant alongwith her brother and mother reached the

    house, where a quarrel occurred. Husband of the Sarpanch asked the

    complainant not to move any complaint and assured her that he would marry

    her. He also took their signatures on blank letter pad and sent them back.

    They were asked to come again on 22.03.2020. He also prepared a

    Panchayati Rajinama.

    6. It is further alleged that After lock-down was over on

    10.06.2020, a telephonic call was received from husband of Sarpanch, who

    called her to the village. Complainant alongwith her brother reached the

    house of the Sarpanch where a quarrel again occurred. Her signatures and of

    her brother were taken on blank papers and they were asked to again come

    on 16.06.2020. On 15.06.2020, a telephonic call was received from husband

    of the Sarpanch, who asked the complainant to come to the village on

    16.06.2020. Complainant along with her brother reached the house of the

    Sarpanch where several persons were sitting. They were asked to wait.

    Saravjit Singh son of Baldev Singh asked her brother to count currency

    notes and to give the same to two persons, who were sitting with him.

    Brother of the complainant started counting currency notes. In the

    meanwhile, Sarpanch reached alongwith the police and involved them in a

    false criminal case, vide FIR No. 122 dated 16.06.2020, under Sections 383,

    389, 120-B, 34 IPC, Police Station Sadar, Tohana. All of them were sent to
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -5-

    jail. Complainant, her brother and mother were released on bail on

    23.06.2020. On 30.06.2020, complainant went to Police Station City Panipat

    and moved a complaint to SHO Police Station City Panipat but no action

    was taken. She also approached S.P. Panipat, but to no avail. On 13.09.2020,

    accused Mandeep alongwith husband of Sarpanch of the village, his brother

    namely Shyama and 15-20 persons came in 4-5 vehicles to the house of the

    Advocate of the complainant where Mandeep admitted his guilt, which was

    captured in a video from a spy camera. He requested complainant and her

    mother to compromise the matter but she refused. Accused threatened the

    complainant in case she dared to initiate proceedings against him. The

    matter was again reported to police but no action was taken.

    7. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that order dated

    10.12.2020 of learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Panipat declining prayer

    for registration of FIR under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. and for treating the case

    as a private complaint was correctly passed. Learned Judicial Magistrate Ist

    Class, Panipat duly considered the report received from the police station

    which disclosed that the complaint was filed in the police station as well and

    during investigation, it was found that Mandeep son of Meghna got

    registered FIR No. 122 dated 16.06.2020 under Sections 384, 389, 120-B

    and 34 Indian Penal Code, Police Station Sadar Tohana, District Fatehabad

    against the complainant, her mother and others for blackmailing and

    extorting money. In that case, Kiran, Anaro Devi and Rahul @ Alisher were

    arrested and challan was presented in the Court. The complaint moved after

    about 04 months was filed. It was urged that learned Additional Sessions

    Judge, Panipat, erroneously placed reliance upon Lalita Kumar Vs.
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -6-

    Government of U.P. (2014)2 SCC(1) without considering that it was a case

    of abnormal delay and the complaint was instituted after 07 days of release

    of the complainant in the extortion case. The complainant was caught red

    handed at spot, accepting extortion money of ₹6.5 lacs and registration of

    the FIR against her was a material circumstance, which learned Additional

    Sessions Judge, Panipat, did not consider. The observation in the impugned

    order that the complainant could not be expected to collect and produce

    documents i.e. call details, videography and photographs etc. was also

    incorrect inasmuch as complainant’s own stand was that a lady police

    official had deleted all the photographs and data from her mobile phone. No

    reasons were disclosed for the delay in lodging complaint, which was only a

    counter blast of the FIR. Order of learned Additional Sessions Judge,

    Panipat directing registration of FIR, thus, deserves to be set aside.

    8. Learned State counsel, Mr. Vikas Bhardwaj, AAG Haryana and

    learned counsel for respondent No. 2 supported the order of learned

    Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat submitting that direction for registration

    of FIR was rightly passed in view of the allegations in the complaint that

    petitioner, who was already married had induced complainant to sexual

    intercourse on false promise of marriage by withholding the marital status.

    Even report of the police did not say that the case was false. Respondent No.

    2 had taken the matter to Gram Panchayat, village Kullan, Block Tohana,

    District Fatehabad. Since petitioner was married, the Gram Panchayat made

    petitioner realise his mistake and imposed fine of ₹6,51,000/-, which, in the

    first instance, was to be paid to Sarpanch and thereafter, was to be given to

    family of the girl. Petitioner admitted his guilt in a video prepared from spy
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -7-

    camera on record as Annexure C-18. Learned Additional Sessions Judge,

    Panipat, after duly considering all relevant facts and circumstances of the

    case, passed the impugned order as per law and no interference by this Court

    was warranted.

    9. Against this, learned counsel for the petitioner referred to

    judgment of this Court in CRM-M-12329-2018 titled M/s Sujan Multiports

    Ltd. Vs. State of Haryana and Others decided on 12.03.2019, judgment of

    Madras High Court in Crl.R.C. (MD) Nos. 646, 647, 648, 650, 651 and 652

    of 2022 and Crl. R.C.(MD) Nos. 657 to 661 of 2022 titled GTL

    Infrastructure Ltd. represented by its Authorised Signatory,

    Muthuvenkatakrishnan Vs. The Inspector of Police, Vadipatti Police

    Station, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu-625 218 decided on 28.08.2022 and

    judgment of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir at Jammu in CRM(M)259-

    2019 titled Satpal Sharma Vs. Pawan Singh Rathore, Ex. Vice Chairman

    JDA, decided on 17.12.2020, arguing that the order passed under Section

    156(3) Cr.P.C. was interlocutory in nature, therefore, not amenable to

    challange in a criminal revision in view of the bar contained in Section

    397(3) Cr.P.C. and when the revision petition itself was not maintainable,

    impugned order deserved to be set aside. It was further canvassed that

    learned Magistrate had absolute discretion in the matter and it was not

    mandatory that in every case, where a complaint was filed under Section 200

    Cr.P.C., the Magistrate should direct the police to investigate the crime. In

    this context, reference was made to Om Prakash Ambadkar Vs. State of

    Maharashtra (SC) 2025 SCC Online SC 238.

    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document

    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -8-

    10. Learned State counsel assisted by learned counsel for

    respondent No. 2 relied upon judgment of Bombay High Court in Avinash

    Trimbarkrao Dhongage Vs. State of Maharashtra Through Police Station

    Officer, Shivajinagar, Nanded 2015(38) RCR (Criminal) 32, judgment of

    Delhi High Court in Nishu Wadhwa Vs. Siddharth Wadhwa and Another

    2017(1) RCR (Criminal) 704, judgment passed by Co-ordinate Bench of

    this Court in Jaswinder Singh and Anothers Vs. Sukhwinder Singh Bhatia

    and Others 2022 PHHC 114982, Santhakumari and Others Vs. State of

    Tamil Nadu and Another 2023 Live Law (SC) 465 and judgment of

    Allahabad High Court in Jagannath Verma and Others Vs. State of U.P.

    and Another 2015(1) Law Herald (SC) 385 to support the submission that

    an order of a Magistrate allowing or rejecting an application under Section

    156(3) Cr.P.C. for registration of a case by the police and for investigation

    was not an interlocutory order and the order was amenable to remedy of

    revision petition under Section 397 Cr.P.C.

    11. In Amarnath and Others Vs. State of Haryana and Others

    AIR 1977 (SC) 215, while elaborating on the term interlocutory order,

    Hon’ble Apex Court observed as under:

    “6. The main question which falls for determination in this

    appeal is as to, the what is the connotation of the term

    “interlocutory order” as appearing in sub-section (2) of Section

    397 which bars any revision of such an order by the High

    Court. The term “interlocutory order” is a term of well-known

    legal significance and does not present any serious diffident. It

    has been used in various statutes including the Code of Civil
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -9-

    Procedure, Letters Patent of the High Courts and other like

    statutes. In Webster’s New World Dictionary “interlocutory” has

    been defined as an order other than final decision. Decided

    cases have laid down that interlocutory orders to be appealable

    must be those which decide ‘the rights and liabilities of the

    parties concerning a particular aspect. It seems to, us that the

    term “interlocutory order” in Section 397(2) of the 1973 Code

    has been used in a restricted sense and not in any broad or

    artistic sense.It merely denotes orders of a purely interim or

    temporary nature which do not decide or touch the important

    rights, or the liabilities of the parties. Any order which

    substantially affects the right of the accused, or decides certain

    rights of the parties cannot be said to be an interlocutory order

    so as to bar a revision to the High Court against that order,

    because that would be against the very object which formed the

    basis for insertion of this particular provision in Section 397 of

    the 1973 Code. Thus, for instance, orders summoning

    witnesses, adjourning cases, passing orders for bail, calling for

    reports and such other steps in aid of the pending proceeding,

    may no doubt amount to interlocutory orders against which no

    revision would lie under Section 397(2) of the 1973 Code. But

    orders which are matters of moment and which affect or

    adjudicate the rights of the accused or a particular aspect of

    the trial cannot be said to be interlocutory order so as to be

    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -10-

    outside the purview of the revisional jurisdiction of the High

    Court.”

    12. A similar issue was considered by a Bench of Allahabad High

    Court in Jagannath Verma and Others Vs. State of U.P.(supra) which came

    to the following conclusion:

    “(i) ……….

    (ii) An order of the magistrate rejecting an application under

    Section 156(3) of the Code for registration of a case by the

    police and for investigation is not an interlocutory order. Such

    an order is amenable to the remedy of a criminal revision under

    Section 397; and

    (iii) In proceedings in revision under Section 397, the

    prospective accused or, as the case may be, the person who is

    suspected of having committed the crime is entitled to an

    opportunity of being heard before a decision is taken in the

    criminal revision.”

    13. In Nishu Wadhwa Vs. Siddharth Wadhwa and Another(supra)

    as well, the High Court of Delhi considered the maintainability of revision

    petition under Section 397 Cr.P.C. against an order of Magistrate under

    Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. directing the police to register an FIR, when it was

    held as under:

    “11. The Division Bench of Bombay High Court in the decision

    reported as 2015 SCC OnLine Bom 5197: 2016 ALLMR (Cri)

    985 Avinash and Ors. v. The State of Maharashtra and Ors held

    that the order passed directing police to investigate under
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -11-

    Section 156(3) of the Code is not an interlocutory order, but in

    the nature of a final order terminating the proceedings under

    Section 156 (3) of the Code which would be revisable under the

    revisional powers of the Sessions Court or the High Court.

    12. It is trite law that once directions are passed by the learned

    Magistrate under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. directing registration

    of FIR he becomes functus-officio. [See (2016) SCConline Del

    5490 M/s. Gabrani Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. Vs. M/s. Unitech Hi-

    Tech Developers Limited & Ors and MANU/GJ/7486/2007

    Randhirsinh Dipsinh Parmar vs. State of Gujarat & Ors.].

    Thus, disposing of an application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C.

    amounts to adjudication of a valuable right whether in favour

    of accused or the complainant.

    13. The issue that since the accused has not been summoned as

    an accused and has no right to file a revision petition is alien,

    while deciding an application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. The

    said issue crops up when the Magistrate entertains the

    complaint and on taking cognizance proceeds as a complaint

    case. In case directions are issued for registration of FIR

    immediately, on registration of FIR, the person against whom

    allegations are made in the FIR attains the status of an

    accused. His rights in so far as the Police can summon him for

    investigation, arrest him without warrants for allegations of

    cognizable offences are duly affected. In a situation where the

    AJAY GOSWAMI
    fundamental right of freedom and liberty of a person is affected,
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -12-

    it cannot be held that he has no right to be heard at that stage.

    Thus to hold that since directions only have been issued

    under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. and no cognizance has been taken

    thus no revision would lie would be an erroneous reading of the

    decisions of the Supreme Court. Therefore, an order dismissing

    or allowing an application under Section 156 (3) Cr.P.C. is not

    an interlocutory order and a revision petition against the same

    is maintainable.”

    14. A Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Jaswinder Singh and

    Others Vs. Sukhwinder Singh Bhatia and Others (supra) while dealing

    with a petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing of an order passed by

    the Revisional Court vide which order passed by learned Additional Chief

    Judicial Magistrate under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. was set aside, observed as

    under:

    “Since in the present case, the Magistrate has dismissed the

    application filed by the petitioners under Section 156 (3). Thus,

    it cannot be said that it is an interlocutory order and thus the

    revision petition will be barred under Section 397 (2) Cr.P.C.”

    15. The argument of learned petitioner counsel that revision petition

    against order of learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Panipat was not

    maintainable, the order being interlocutory in nature is, therefore, repelled.

    16. Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. reads thus:

    “(i) Any officer-in-charge of a police station may, without the

    order of a Magistrate, investigate any cognisable case which a

    Court having jurisdiction over the local area within the limits of
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -13-

    such station would have power to inquire into or try under the

    provisions of Chapter XIII.

    (ii) No proceeding of a police officer in any such case shall at

    any stage be called in question on the ground that the case was

    one which such officer was not empowered under this section to

    investigate.

    (iii) Any Magistrate empowered under section 190 may order

    such an investigation as above mentioned.”

    17. Resort to Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. is made when the police

    refuses to register a first information report. The complainant, thereafter, can

    invoke the jurisdiction of the Court for police investigation under Section

    156(3) Cr.P.C. Whether or not, the order for registration of FIR and police

    investigation is to be made under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. or the case is to be

    treated as a private complaint by calling upon the complainant to lead

    preliminary evidence, is entirely within the discretion of the concerned

    Magistrate. Whenever any application is filed by the complainant before the

    court of learned JMIC under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C, the duty of the

    concerned Magistrate is to apply his mind to adjudge whether the case is fit

    one to order police investigation.

    In Om Prakash Ambadkar Vs. The State of Maharashtra

    (supra) Hon’ble Supreme Court has ruled that a Magistrate should pass

    orders under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. only he is satisfied that the information

    reveals commission of a cognizable offence and also about the necessity of

    police investigation for digging out of evidence wherein neither is in

    possession of the complainant nor can be procured without the assistance of
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -14-

    the police. It was further observed that it is not necessary that in every case,

    where a complaint has been filed under Section 200 Cr.P.C., the Magistrate

    should direct the police to investigate the crime. It was further observed that

    the Magistrate ought to direct investigation by the police only where the

    assistance of the Investigating Agency is necessary and the Court feels that

    the cause of justice is likely to suffer in the absence of investigation by the

    police.

    18. Thus, law does not enjoin the Magistrate to mechanically direct

    investigation by the police, without examining whether investigation by the

    State machinery is actually necessitated in the facts and circumstances of

    each individual case. Usually, such orders are passed if the allegations made

    in the complaint require complex and complicated investigation which

    cannot be undertaken without active assistance and expertise of the State

    machinery. A judicious approach is required while considering an

    application seeking registration of FIR and investigation by the police under

    Section 156(3) Cr.P.C.

    19. In the case in hand, the complaint under Sections 376, 420, 506

    IPC was filed on 19.11.2020, alleging that the petitioner connected with the

    complainant through ‘TikTok’ in the year 2019 and had sexual intercourse

    with her on the promise of marriage in room No. 108, Skylark Hotel, Panipat

    on 01.03.2020. The complaint was filed after a delay of 09 months. Lalita

    Kumari‘s case(supra), which learned Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat,

    relied upon while directing learned JMIC, Panipat to send the complaint

    under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. for registration of FIR, no doubt envisages

    mandatory registration of FIR, if the information discloses commission of a
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -15-

    cognizable offence, but makes an exception, where there is an abnormal

    delay/latches in criminal prosecution without satisfactorily explaining the

    reasons for delay.

    20. Before passing the order, treating the case as a private

    complaint, learned Magistrate called for a report from the police station

    concerned and after considering the fact that there was already FIR No. 122

    dated 16.06.2020 under Sections 383, 389, 120-B, 34 IPC, Police Station

    Sadar, Tohana registered against the complainant for extortion, opined that it

    was not a fit case to be sent to the police station for registration of the FIR.

    Learned Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat, erroneously construing the

    dictum of Apex Court in Lalita Kumari‘s case(supra), without even

    considering the report of the police station, wrongly proceeded on the

    premise that in the case relating to a cognizable offence, complainant could

    not be expected to collect and produce evidence in the form of call details,

    photographs, videography, although, it was complainant’s own stand that a

    lady police official had snatched her mobile phone and deleted the

    photographs, videography and whatsapp chats with the accused. The 09

    months delay in seeking registration of FIR was completely overlooked.

    Since the complainant was in possession of complete details of the accused

    and no complex or scientific investigation was required, the procedure of

    complaint case ought to have been adopted, in the backdrop of the fact that

    there was an extortion case registered against the complainant, who was

    stated to be caught red handed by the police, accepting extortion money of

    ₹6.5 lacs. Complainant too did not dispute the factum of registration of the

    FIR against her. Her stand was also that her brother was counting currency
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    CRM-M-28852 of 2021(O&M) -16-

    notes when the police officials conducted raid and involved them in the case,

    though, she claimed that the money was in respect of an agreement of land

    to be executed by husband of the Sarpanch.

    21. Police investigation would be required only in a case of a nature

    where it is not possible for the private complaint to collect evidence and

    where complicated investigation is required. The powers under Section

    156(3) Cr.P.C. directing registration of FIR and police investigation are

    required to be used sparingly, only to avoid miscarriage of justice. In every

    complaint, where such a prayer is made for police investigation and

    registration of FIR, it is not incumbent for the Magistrate to direct

    registration of the FIR. Order of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat

    dated 10.12.2020 being against law, is liable to be quashed.

    22. The petition is allowed. Order of learned Judicial Magistrate Ist

    Class, Panipat dated 10.12.2020 is maintained and order of learned

    Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat dated 09.07.2021 along with all

    subsequent proceedings arising therefrom is set aside. Learned JMIC,

    Panipat shall proceed further in the matter, in accordance with law.

    23. Pending CRM(s), if any, are also disposed of accordingly.

    24. Nothing observed hereinabove shall be construed as an opinion

    on merits of the case.

    
    
                                                                     (SHALINI SINGH NAGPAL)
               27.04.2026                                                     JUDGE
               Ajay Goswami
    
                                         Whether speaking/reasoned   Yes/No
                                         Whether reportable          Yes/No
    
    
    AJAY GOSWAMI
    2026.04.27 19:24
    I attest to the accuracy and
    integrity of this document
    



    Source link

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here