High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeCRL.MC allowed; Annexure A1 quashed; all furthe...

Rajeesh Panakkool v. State of Kerala

Case / Petition Number:CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • P. V. Kunhikrishnan
Judgment Date
2023-11-14
Court Decision / Holding
Annexure A1 is not an order in tune with Section 111 Cr.P.C. and 110 Cr.P.C. The order does not disclose the substance of the information received or the basis of the Magistrate’s satisfaction. Accordingly, the Court holds the Annexure A1 proceedings unsustainable and allows the CRL.M.C., quashing Annexure A1 and all further proceedings against the petitioner based on Annexure A1.
Final Disposition
CRL.MC allowed; Annexure A1 quashed; all further proceedings against the petitioner based on Annexure A1 are quashed.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Rajeesh Panakkool

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by the Sub Inspector of Police, Peringome Police Station, Kannur District, through the Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala, Ernakulam, PIN-682031

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • S. Prasanth Renoy
  • • Vincent Helen P.A.
  • • Arun Roy
  • • Shahir Showkath Ali
  • • Aleesha Shereef Stephanie Sharon Athul Roy

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri Renjith TR, PP

Case Synopsis & Summary

Rajeesh Panakkool challenges a preliminary order issued under sections 110 and 111 Cr.P.C. by the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Taliparamba, in MC No. 359/2022, described as a show cause notice issued in relation to a bond under section 107 Cr.P.C. to preserve public peace. The petitioner contends Annexure-A1 does not disclose the substance of the information received or the basis on which the Magistrate formed satisfaction for proceeding under Sec. 107 Cr.P.C., and hence the order is void. The petitioner relies on judgments of this Court in Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala and another; Santhosh M.V. and others v. State of Kerala and others; and Bejoy K.V. v. State of Kerala and Another, arguing that an order under Secs. 110/111 Cr.P.C. must spell out the substance of the information, the amount and duration of the bond, the nature and class of security, and the necessity to set forth the information so that the accused can show cause. The State Public Prosecutor counters that Annexure-A1 is a valid order and that the proceedings should not be quashed, as the information was conveyed to the petitioner and the show-cause rights remain intact. On scrutiny, the High Court notes that Annexure A1 does not narrate the substance of information or the basis of satisfaction and, following Bejoy K.V. and the Moidu line, holds that the order is unsustainable. Consequently, the Criminal Misc. Case is allowed, and Annexure A1 along with the ensuing proceedings against the petitioner are quashed.

Provisions of Law Cited

Sec. 111 Cr.P.C.Sec. 110 Cr.P.C.Sec. 107 Cr.P.C.

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Order under Sec.111 CrPC must disclose the substance of information received in order to enable the person to show cause.
  • The spirit of Section 107 CrPC is the preservation of peace and public tranquillity.
  • An order under Sec.111 CrPC must contain all particulars relevant to inform the accused of the accusation against him; failure to disclose the substance of information renders the order unsustainable.
  • Imminent breach of peace is required to initiate proceedings under Sec.107 CrPC, as discussed in Moidu’s case (Full Bench).

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioner submits that Annexure-A1 does not disclose the substance of the information received and does not meet the requirements of Sections 110/111 Cr.P.C.; hence the order cannot sustain under the law. It relies on Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala and another; Santhosh M.V. and others v. State of Kerala and others; and Bejoy K.V. v. State of Kerala to stress that the information, bond details, and the basis of satisfaction must be clearly stated so the person can respond.

Contentions of Respondents

The State/Public Prosecutor contends Annexure-A1 is a valid order under Sections 110/111 Cr.P.C. and the proceedings should not be quashed, asserting that the information was conveyed and the right to show cause remains intact.

Cited Precedents (4)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala and another2009 (4) KHC 929Mentioned OnlyCited to discuss the mandate of Sections 111/110 Cr.P.C.; not applied or distinguished in the present order.
Santhosh M.V. and others v. State of Kerala and others2014 KHC 522Mentioned OnlyCited by counsel; no explicit treatment accorded in the judgment.
Bejoy K.V. v. State of Kerala and Another2015 (5) KHC 507PositiveQuoted to support that an order under Sec.111 CrPC must contain substance of information and all relevant details.
Moidu's case (Full Bench)Moidu's case (Full Bench)PositiveCited to establish that there must be an imminent breach of peace for action under Sec.107 CrPC.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 1 # **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN** **TUESDAY, THE 14[TH] DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023 / 23RD KARTHIKA, 1945** **CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023** **CRIME NO.139/2022 OF Peringome Police Station, Kannur** ## **PETITIONER/S:** RAJEESH PANAKKOOL AGED 40 YEARS PADIYOTTUCHAL P.O PADIYOTTUCHAL, KANNUR DISTRICT., PIN - 670353 BY ADVS. S.PRASANTH RENOY VINCENT HELEN P.A. ARUN ROY SHAHIR SHOWKATH ALI ALEESHA SHEREEF STEPHANIE SHARON ATHUL ROY ## **RESPONDENT/S:** STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, PERINGOME POLICE STATION, KANNUR DISTRICT, THROUGH THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682031 BY ADV PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ## **OTHER PRESENT:** CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 2 SRI RENJITH TR, PP THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 14.11.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 3 ## **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J** **--------------------------------------Crl.M.C. No.1294 of 2023 -------------------------------------Dated this the 14[th] day of November, 2023** ## **O R D E R** This Crl.M.C. is filed to quash Annexure-A1 preliminary order passed under Sec. 111 Cr.P.C by the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Taliparamba in MC No. 359/2022. It is a show cause notice issued under Sec. 110 Cr.P.C. r/w 111 Cr.P.C. It is the case of the petitioner that Annexure-A1 notice issued by the 1[st] respondent does not contain the substances of the information received for arriving at a satisfaction contemplated under Sec. 111 Cr.P.C. 2. The counsel relied the judgments of this Court in **Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala and another** (2009 (4) KHC 929), **Santhosh M.V and others vs. State of Kerala and others** (2014 KHC 522) **and also Bejoy K.V vs State of Kerala and Another** (2015 (5) KHC 507). CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 4 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor. 4. A perusal of Annexure A1 notice would not show that it is an order passed in tune with Section 110 r/w Section 111 Cr.PC. In **Girish P's** case (supra), the mandate of Section 111 and Section 110 Cr.PC are mentioned. It will be better to extract the relevant paragraph, which reads as follows:- “5. S.107 of Code of Criminal Procedure enables an executive Magistrate on receiving information that a person is likely to commit breach of peace or disturb the public tranquillity or to do any wrongful act that may probably occasion a breach of the peace or disturb the public tranquillity and is of opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding, to require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond with or without sureties for keeping peace for such period not exceeding one year as the Magistrate thinks fit. S.111 mandates that when a Magistrate acting under S.107, deems it necessary to require any person to show cause, he shall make an order in writing setting forth the substance of the information received, the amount of the bond to be executed, the term for which it is to be in force, and the number, character and class of sureties, if any required, the necessity to setforth the substance of the information' in the order under S.111 is not an empty formality and is with a purpose. It is to enable the person against whom the order is passed, to appear and show cause before the Magistrate that the allegations are CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 5 not correct. Unless that information is furnished to the person against whom the order is passed, he cannot defend the allegation as against him. 6. Annexure I order issued by the Sub Divisional Magistrate does not disclose the substance of the information received by the Sub Divisional Magistrate on which he was satisfied that proceedings under S.107 is to be initiated. The fact that petitioners are involved in Crime No. 207/2009 by itself is not a ground, to initiate proceedings, under S. 107. Though past conduct may be a guide to initiate proceedings, on that ground alone proceedings cannot be initiated unless as stated by the Full Bench in Moidu's case (supra) there is an imminent breach of peace warranting initiation of proceedings under S.107 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.” ## 5. In **Bejoy K.V's** case (supra) also, this Court considered the same point and relevant paragraph is extracted hereunder:- “17. Therefore, it is mandatory that an order issued under S.111 CrPC by a Sub Divisional Magistrate exercising jurisdiction under S.107 CrPC, to set forth the substance of information received, the amount of the bond to be executed, the term for which it is to be in force and the number, character and type of securities, if any are required. The order must also reflect that the Magistrate has assessed the truth of the information and the need for taking action under S.107 CrPC for preservation of peace and that thereupon he has passed such an order. An order issued under S.111 CrPC calling upon CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 6 the person to show cause against execution of bond without disclosing therein the substance of information received and upon which satisfaction was arrived at by him, will not sustain in the eye of law. The order must contain all particulars relevant and sufficient to inform him about the accusation against him. This is because, the party calling upon must have to explain the circumstances against him or defend the proceedings and only on sufficient and satisfactory information being furnished, he will be able to answer the same. Therefore, the Sub Divisional Magistrate empowered with the authority to exercise the authority under S.107 CrPC to initiate proceedings must be vigilant and conscious while exercising the power and should bear in mind that the spirit envisaged by the Section is preservation of peace and public tranquillity. The Sub Divisional Magistrate must see that the information supplied to him proposing action, was not one intended with a view to satisfy his personal vendetta. He must bear in mind that with the exercise of the power a man is called upon to execute a bond undertaking to preserve peace and tranquility for a period specified in the proceedings and therefore, it is likely to cast a stigma upon such a person that he was instrumental in breaching the peace or disturbing the public tranquility. If such a stigma is allowed to be fell upon an innocent person without any basis, that stigma cannot be removed later and the person would not be relegated to his real status of innocence, ultimately when such person was found irresponsible for any such alleged acts.” ## 6. In the light of the above dictum, I am of the CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 7 considered opinion that Annexure A1 is not an order in tune with Section 111 Cr.PC and 110 Cr.PC. It is only stated that two crimes are charged by the Peringome Police Station against the counter petitioners. The substances of information received and the details of the case are not narrated in the notice. Therefore, I am of the considered opinion that Annexure A1 proceedings is unsustainable. Therefore, this Criminal Miscellaneous case is allowed. All further proceedings against the petitioner based on Annexure A1 are quashed. **Sd/P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN JUDGE** SKS CRL.MC NO. 1294 OF 2023 8 ## **APPENDIX OF CRL.MC 1294/2023** PETITIONER ANNEXURES Annexure A1 TRUE COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY ORDER ISSUED BY THE SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE COURT, TALIPARAMBA IN M.C. NO. 359/22. Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE SALE DEED NO.1577/2019 OF S.R.O. PERINGOME Annexure A3 CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FIR NO.139 OF 2022 DATED 19.02.2022 Annexure A4 THE SECOND CASE WAS FILED ON 13.05.2022 ALLEGING THE COMMISSION OF OFFENCES U/S. 447,427 AND 506(II) R/W 34 OF IPC. TRUE COPY OF THE FIR NO. 316 OF 2022 DATED 13.05.2022 Annexure A5 TRUE COPY OF THE PLAINT DATED 18.05.2022 FILED BEFORE THE MUNSIFF'S COURT PAYYANNUR