Abdul Kader Barami and Kunji Mohammed v. State of Kerala, Abdul Jabbar and Anas N.P.
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- K. Ramakrishnan, J.
- Judgment Date
- 2014-08-19
- Court Decision / Holding
- Application allowed; further proceedings in CC No.1516/2013 (Crime No.532/2011) against the petitioners are quashed. The order directs communication of the decision to the concerned court.
- Final Disposition
- Disposed of; Quashed
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- Abdul Kader Barami
- Kunji Mohammed
Respondents
- The State of Kerala represented by the Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala, Ernakulam (in Crime No.532/2011 of Feroke Police Station, Kozhikode District)
- Abdul Jabbar
- Anas N.P.
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • Sri P. Samsudin
Counsels for Respondents
- • Public Prosecutor Sareena P. George
- • Nima Jacob
Case Synopsis & Summary
This is a Kerala High Court Criminal Miscellaneous Case in which the petitioners, Abdul Kader Barami and Kunji Mohammed (accused 1 and 4 in Crime No.532/2011 of Feroke Police Station), move to quash the proceedings in CC No.1516/2013 on the file of Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-V, Kozhikode. The original case arose from offences under IPC Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323 and 324 read with Section 149. While the co-accused were tried, the petitioners remained absent and their case was split off, resulting in acquittals of others (Annexure A2). The defacto complainant (second respondent) and the injured (third respondent) later settled with the petitioners, and the petitioners urge that the settlement, coupled with the acquittal of the other accused and the absence of witnesses supporting the prosecution, makes continued proceedings futile and a wastage of judicial time. The respondents acknowledge settlement and lack of grievance, though the Public Prosecutor opposes quashing by noting the petitioners’ absconding status earlier. The court ultimately exercises its inherent power under Section 482 CrPC to quash the proceedings, citing that the substratum of the prosecution has been shattered by prior acquittals and the settlement, and that continuing would serve no purpose in the interest of justice.
Provisions of Law Cited
Legal Doctrines & Maxims
- substratum of the prosecution doctrine (as discussed in Moosa v. Sub Inspector of Police, 2006 (1) KLT 552)
- Normally, acquittal of some accused is not ground to acquit those who did not face trial (Moosa v. Sub Inspector of Police)
- Settlement and conferred acquittal can justify quashing under the high courts’ inherent powers in the interests of justice (Section 482 CrPC)
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The petitioners submit that since there is a settlement with the defacto complainant and the injured and because other co-accused have been acquitted, there is no purpose in continuing the proceedings. They contend that continuing trials in non-bailable offences would be futile, and the court should exercise its power under Section 482 CrPC to quash the proceedings in the interest of justice to prevent wastage of judicial time.
Contentions of Respondents
The respondents acknowledge the settlement and lack of grievance but oppose quashing on the ground that the petitioners had absconded earlier and that they could still face trial. The Public Prosecutor notes there is no other case against the petitioners but emphasizes the need to proceed unless the statutory protections prevent it.
Cited Precedents (1)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moosa v. Sub Inspector of Police | 2006 (1) KLT 552 | Positive | Full Bench held that normally acquittal of some accused is not ground for acquitting the accused who did not face trial; however, if the substratum of the prosecution has been shattered, such benefits may extend to the non-trial accused. |
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