Tenetowl LogoTenetowl
High Court of KeralaSingle JudgePetition allowed; quashing of final report and ...

Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 (In the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam)

Case / Petition Number:Crl.MC.No.5855 of 2016

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V
Judgment Date
2016-09-19
Court Decision / Holding
The petition is allowed; Annexure-A2 Final report and all proceedings in C.C. No. 8/2016, pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Amini, are quashed.
Final Disposition
Petition allowed; quashing of final report and proceedings in C.C. No. 8/2016.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • MOHAMMED RAFEEK K.K.
  • YAKOOB
  • SULAIMAN P.
  • FAVAD N.C.
  • HARIS K.K.
  • KHALEEL C.
  • MOHAMMED KASIM K.E.
  • MOHAMMED IRSHAD A.
  • FAROOK K.
  • SEETHIKOYA K.
  • ABDUL SALAM P.T.
  • SAMEER P.
  • NOUSHAD A.C.
  • SAJEED P.
  • AMEER M. KHATHIB NELLIKKECHETTA @ MANNPURA RASHEED
  • SHIHAB K.
  • SHUKOOR M.I.
  • SHAFI P.
  • SHUKOOR A.
  • HAMZAKOYA M.
  • NOUFAL B.C.
  • NASSAR. A
  • SAVAD K.
  • ABOOBACKER M.C.
  • UMMER T.
  • ARIF K.
  • FASMID C.
  • RAFEEK N.M.
  • MOHAMMED KHASIM
  • FATHAHULLA C.C.
  • JABIR P.P.
  • ADAM T.K.
  • ESSA K.
  • MOHAMMED KHASIM K.K.
  • UMMER M.S.
  • NOUShAD K.K.
  • JALAL K.K.
  • IQBAL K.
  • KASIM P.C.
  • FAROOK S.V.
  • IBRAHIM A.
  • SAYED POO. P
  • ARIF P.
  • MUTHALIF A.
  • HANEEFA K.

Respondents

  • The Union Territory of Lakshadweep represented by its Standing Counsel/Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam
  • The Circle Inspector of Police, Amini Police Station, Lakshadweep
  • Nallakoya (R3)

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sri A.A. Ziyad Rahman
  • • Sri Lal K. Joseph
  • • Sri V.S. Shiraz Bava
  • • Sri M.U. KuriaKose
  • • Sri Joseph Kurian Vallamattam

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri S. Radhakrishnan
  • • Sri Philip J. Vettickattu

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a criminal miscellaneous case before the Kerala High Court (Single Judge) in Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 arising from C.C. No. 8/2016 of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Amini, Lakshadweep, and Crime No. 11/2014 of Amini Police Station. The 3rd respondent, Block President of the Indian National Congress on Amini Island, filed information alleging offences under IPC Sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 448, 427 and 379 read with Section 149, in connection with an incident on 19 May 2014 where petitioners accused Nos. 1–22, 24–44, 46–47 allegedly formed an unlawful assembly, trespassed into the petitioner's office, committed mischief, and stole a motor pump. The final report was laid before the jurisdictional Magistrate and the case is pending as C.C. No. 8/2016. The petitioners sought to quash the proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C., contending that the disputes are personal, and amicable settlements have been reached; the 3rd respondent contends there are other crimes and the offences are not purely personal. The Supreme Court’s Gian Singh v. State of Punjab is cited by both sides to support their positions. The court, after considering the nature of the offences, finds them to be personal in nature, notes the settlement, and ultimately quashes the proceedings, observing that continuing prosecution would be futile and against community interest. The result is an order allowing the petition and quashing Annexure-A2 final report and all proceedings in C.C. 8/2016.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 482 of Cr.P.C.Sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 448, 427 and 379 read with Section 149 IPC

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Inherent powers of High Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash proceedings in the interest of justice; Settlement/compromise as a relevant factor enabling quashing of criminal proceedings.
  • Doctrine from Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) that settlement can justify quashing where offences are personal and public interest is not affected.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners argue that the disputes were personal in nature and resolved amicably, with the parties living in peace and harmony. They contend the alleged offences arose from a political dispute and that continuing prosecution serves no purpose given the remote likelihood of conviction; the matter aligns with the principle that settlement can justify quashing under the court’s inherent powers, as illustrated in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab. They note that Annexure-A3 shows a prior quashing of proceedings against accused No.31 and assert that the broader group’s proceedings should be similarly terminated to maintain public peace and harmony.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents argue that the petitioners are involved in other crimes and that the disputes have political overtones, implying that not all offences are purely personal or trivial. They contend that the case's continuation is warranted to address the alleged wrongdoing, especially since an overarching investigation and final report were filed in the C.C. 8/2016 proceedings and that quashing the entire proceedings may undermine justice and public interest.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Gian Singh v. State of Punjab2012 (4) KLT 108PositiveCourt relies on the Gian Singh principle that settlement between parties can justify quashing of criminal proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C., particularly where offences are personal and do not affect public peace.

Diagnostic Tool

Beta

Does this judgment govern your specific facts?

Don't risk relying on a distinguishable precedent. Enter your facts or proposition below. We will test it against Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 (In the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam) and instantly map out authorities that support, challenge, or govern your position.

Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT:** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V** **MONDAY, THE 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2016/28TH BHADRA, 1938** ## **Crl.MC.No. 5855 of 2016** ## **--------------------------------------C.C.NO. 8/2016 OF CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE COURT, AMINI, LAKSHADWEEP CRIME NO. 11/2014 OF AMINI POLICE STATION , LAKSHADWEEP** **----------------------** **PETITIONER(S)/ACCUSED NO.1 TO 22, 24 TO 44, 46 AND 47 :** **-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------** **1. MOHAMMED RAFEEK K.K., S/O.PATHECHETTA HAMZA, KUNJAMMAKKEKAL HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **2. YAKOOB, S/O.ABOOSAL KEELACHERY, PATTAKADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **3. SULAIMAN P., S/O.ABOOSALA KUNJARABELI, PEENCHANDAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND,** - **UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **4. FAVAD N.C., S/O.CHERIYAKOYA, PUTHIYAPURACHETTA, NANGATTIYAMCHETTA,** - **AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **5. HARIS K.K., S/O.ESSA KALLAKKEKAL KEELAKUNNALA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **6. KHALEEL C., S/O.HAMZA BELIYACHADA, CHAMAYAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **7. MOHAMMED KASIM K.E., S/O.ABDULLAKOYA ASHORADA, KEELAKUNNIKKAMCHETTA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **8. MOHAMMED IRSHAD A., S/O.MUTHUKOYA MOOLECHETTA, ACHAMMADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **9. FAROOK K., S/O.KHADER UNNAM, KULANDAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **..2/-** **..2..** **Crl.MC.No. 5855 of 2016** **---------------------------------------** **10. SEETHIKOYA K., S/O.KHADER UNNAM, KULANDAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **11. ABDUL SALAM P.T., S/O.KHADER THATTANADACHETTA, PUTHIYATHOOPRABAL HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **12. SAMEER P., S/O.KIDAVE NADUVATHACHETTA, PATHEMMADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **13. NOUSHAD A.C., S/O.HAMZA AYESHACHETTA, AMINECHETTA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **14. SAJEED P., S/O.KOYAMMA THERAKKAL, PATTAKADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **15. AMEER M., KHATHIB NELLIKKECHETTA @ MANNPURA RASHEED, ASHEER MANZIL, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **16. SHIHAB K., S/O.SAYEDMUHAMMED, KUNJARABELI HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **17. SHUKOOR M.I., S/O.KIDAVE BELYABELI, MELEILLAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **18. SHAFI P., S/O.MOHAMMED THENAKKAL, PATTAKADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **19. SHUKOOR A., S/O.ALIKUTTY ASUMMADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **20. HAMZAKOYA M., S/O.YAYIKOYA, MADAL HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **21. NOUFAL B.C., S/O.KUNHI PAKKEMMADA @ ABDULLA KOYA, BARALICHETTA, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **..3/-** **..3..** **Crl.MC.No. 5855 of 2016** **---------------------------------------** **22. NASSAR. A, S/O.ABOOSALA T.K., ACHADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **23. SAVAD K., S/O.ABOOSALA K.K. KALLAKEKKAL HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **24. ABOOBACKER M.C., S/O.HAMID BANDAYAM, MANNETHACHETTA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **25. UMMER T., S/O.HAMEED BIYYECHETTA, THATTATHODA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **26. ARIF K., S/O.KIDAVE KULUVADECHETTA, KOORMEL HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **27. FASMID C., S/O.MOOSA K.P., CHERIYA PANDIYALA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **28. RAFEEK N.M., S/O.KASMI T.K., NIYAMATH MANZIL, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **29. MOHAMMED KHASIM, S/O.HAMZAKOYA N.C., ASHARODA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **30. FATHAHULLA C.C., S/O.HAMZA A.P. CHEKAKKALLACHETTA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **31. JABIR P.P., S/O.ABDULLAKOYA MADAL, PALLICHAPURA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **32. ADAM T.K., S/O.AHAMMED MULECHETTA, THIRINIKKAD HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **33. ESSA K., S/O.MOHAMMED P., KOORMEL HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **..4/-** **..4..** ## **Crl.MC.No. 5855 of 2016** **---------------------------------------** **34. MOHAMMED KHASIM K.K., S/O.SAYED MOHAMMEDKOYA, KUNNAMKALAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND,** - **UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **35. UMMER M.S., S/O.HAMZA A.C., MELESURAMBI HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **36. NOUSHAD K.K., S/O.USMAN K.K., KEELAKUNNALA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **37. JALAL K.K., S/O.HAMZA P.K., KULANDAM HOUSE AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **38. IQBAL K., S/O.NALLAKOYA PUKKATTPOOMI, KANDIKKAM HOUSE,AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **39. KASIM P.C., S/O.ANDER C.C. PAKKIDIYATHACHETTA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **40. FAROOK S.V., S/O.B.C.ANDER, SWARNAVEEDU, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **41. IBRAHIM A., S/O.SAYED C.C., AVVAMMADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **42. SAYED POO. P, S/O.ANDER C.C., PAKKIDIYAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **43. ARIF P., S/O.KIDAVE N.C., PATHEMMADA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **44. MUTHALIF A., S/O.ABOOSAL K.K., ACHECHETTA HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **45. HANEEFA K., S/O.HAMZA P.K., KULANDAM HOUSE, AMINI ISLAND, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** - **BY ADVS. SRI.A.A.ZIYAD RAHMAN** - **SRI.LAL K.JOSEPH SRI.V.S.SHIRAZ BAVA SRI.M.U.KURIAKOSE SRI.JOSEPH KURIAN VALLAMATTAM** **..5..** **..5..** ## **Crl.MC.No. 5855 of 2016** **---------------------------------------** ## **RESPONDENT(S)/COMPLAINANT :** **----------------------------------------------------** **1. THE UNION OF TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP, REPRESENTED BY ITS STANDING COUNSEL/PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM.** **2. THE CIRCLE INSPECTION OF POLICE, AMINI POLICE STATION, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **3. NALLAKOYA, AGED 60 YEARS, S/O. ATTAKOYA, THAITHOTTAM, AMINI, UNION TERRITORY OF LAKSHADWEEP.** **R1 & R2 BY ADV. SRI.S.RADHAKRISHNAN, S.C R3 BY ADV. SRI.PHILIP J.VETTICKATTU** **THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 19-09-2016, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:** Msd. ## **Crl.MC.No. 5855 of 2016 ------------------------------------** ## **APPENDIX** ## **PETITIONER(S)' ANNEXURES :** **A1 TRUE COPY OF THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORT IN CRIME NO.11/2014 OF AMINI POLICE STATION.** **A2 CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT IN C.C.NO. 8/2016 ON THE FILE OF THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, AMINI.** **A3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 30.07.2015 IN CRL.M.C.NO. 2374/2015.** **A4 THE ORIGINAL AFFIDAVIT DATED 05.08.2015 SWORN BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT.** **RESPONDENT(S)' ANNEXURES :** ## **NIL** ## **//TRUE COPY//** **P.A.TO JUDGE** Msd. ## **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN.V., J** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ## Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ## Dated 19[th] September, 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ## **ORDER** - 1.The 3[rd] respondent in his capacity as the Block President of the Indian National Congress Party of the Amini Island, Lakshadweep has set the law in motion by furnishing Annexure-A1 information against the petitioners herein and some others alleging commission of offences punishable under Sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 448, 427 and 379 read with Section 149 of the IPC. - 2.The allegation was that, on 19.5.2014, the petitioners being members of the Nationalist Congress Party, formed themselves into an unlawful assembly and criminally trespassed into the office of Indian National Congress and after committing mischief, stole a motor pump kept in the office and thus committed the offences. - 3.Investigation was conducted and Annexure-A2 final report was laid before the jurisdictional Magistrate and the case Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 -2- is now pending as C.C.No.8 of 2016 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Amini. - 4.In this petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the petitioners, who are the accused Nos. 1 to 22, 24 to 44, 46 and 47 in the aforesaid case seek to quash the criminal proceedings by invoking the extraordinary powers of this Court on the ground that the disputes have been amicably resolved between the petitioners and 3[rd] respondent. - 5.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, 3[rd] respondent as well as the Standing Counsel for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. - 6.It is submitted that disputes have been amicably resolved and the parties are living in peace and harmony. It is also submitted that the disputes are purely personal in nature and the crime was registered in pursuance to a political dispute. It is also submitted that by Annexure-A3 Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 -3- judgment in Crl.M.C.No.2374 of 2015 this Court had quashed the proceedings against accused No.31 on the basis of settlement. - 7.An affidavit has been filed by the respondent No.3 wherein he asserts that he has settled the matter with the petitioners herein and states that he has no objection in terminating the proceedings on its basis. Both sides, rely on the decision of the Apex Court in **Gian Singh v. State of Punjab** ( 2012 (4) KLT 108) to advance their contentions. - 8.The learned Standing Counsel would submits that the petitioners are not entitled to the relief as prayed for as they are involved in other crimes as well. This submission is controverted by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and it is submitted that the pending crimes are all offshoots of political strifes and involves only minor offences. Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 -4- 9.I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made across the Bar and I have also gone through the materials on record. It appears that the offences are entirely personal in nature and do not affect public peace or tranquility. In a case such as the instant one, even if the prosecution is allowed to continue, it would not serve any purpose as the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak. It can only result in putting the _de facto_ complainant and the accused to unwanted oppression and prejudice. Settlement will augur well for the interest of the community and will enable the parties to live in peace and harmony. More over, the proceedings against the accused No. 31 has been quashed by this Court as is evident from Annexure-A3. I am of the view that proceedings can justifiably be quashed invoking the powers of this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Crl.M.C. No. 5855 of 2016 -5- In the result, this petition is allowed. Annexure-A2 Final report and all proceedings pursuant thereto against the petitioners now pending as C.C.No.8 of 2016 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Amini are quashed. Sd/- **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN.V., JUDGE** kp/-19.916