High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeAllowed; Annexure-1 proceedings quashed

Shion P J v State of Kerala and Palluruthy Police Station

Case / Petition Number:CRL.MC 6519/2023

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • P. V. Kunhikrishnan
Judgment Date
2023-09-12
Court Decision / Holding
The Criminal Miscellaneous Case is allowed; all further proceedings against the petitioner based on Annexure-1 are quashed.
Final Disposition
Allowed; Annexure-1 proceedings quashed

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Shion P J

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala
  • Station House Officer, Palluruthy Police Station, Palluruthy

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • S. Sidhardhan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Public Prosecutor

Case Synopsis & Summary

Shion P J, the counter petitioner, challenges Annexure-1, an order issued under Ss.107 read with 111 CrPC by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Fort Kochi, directing the petitioner to show cause and to execute a bond. The submission is that Annexure-1 is unsustainable since it does not disclose the substance of the information on which the satisfaction to proceed under S.107 CrPC was based; the notice merely cites two criminal cases against him without detailing the alleged information. The petitioner relies on established jurisprudence that an order under S.111 CrPC, issued in exercise of S.107 CrPC, must set forth the substance of the information received, the bond amount, the period, and the nature and number of securities, enabling the accused to defend himself. The court references Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala (2009 (4) KHC 929) and Bejoy K.V. v State of Kerala (2015 (5) KHC 507), emphasizing that the information must be explicit and the order not be a formal formality or an instrument of vendetta. It further notes that a reference to past conduct alone is insufficient to initiate proceedings under S.107. On these grounds, the Annexure-A1 order is deemed not in tune with Ss.107/111 CrPC, and the criminal miscellaneous case is allowed, quashing further proceedings based on Annexure-1.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 107 CrPCSection 111 CrPCSection 482 CrPC

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Mandatory disclosure of the substance of information in orders under Section 111 CrPC to enable the accused to defend himself.
  • Preservation of peace and public tranquillity as the object of Ss.107/111 CrPC; the order must reflect truth and not be a mere formality or vendetta.
  • Spirt of the law demands vigilance by Sub-Divisional Magistrate to avoid prejudicial labeling and ensure due process.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioner contends that Annexure-1, the order under Ss.107/111 CrPC, does not disclose the substance of the information on which the satisfaction to proceed under S.107 CrPC was based. Only two cases are cited against him, with no particulars of the allegations or the information. Relying on Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala (2009 (4) KHC 929) and Bejoy K.V. v State of Kerala (2015 (5) KHC 507), it is urged that the order must contain the substance of the information to enable the petitioner to appear and defend. The lack of disclosure makes the order unsustainable.

Contentions of Respondents

The record shows the matter was heard by the learned Public Prosecutor; while the exact arguments of the Public Prosecutor are not detailed in the order, the authorities cited underscore the principle that orders under Ss.107/111 CrPC must reflect the information and preserve the right to defend, and the court ultimately finds Annexure-1 deficient and unsustainable.

Cited Precedents (3)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala and another2009 (4) KHC 929PositiveCited to support that an order under Ss.107/111 CrPC must set forth the substance of the information.
Bejoy K.V. v State of Kerala and Another2015 (5) KHC 507PositiveCited to reinforce mandatory disclosure of information in orders under Section 111 CrPC.
Moidu's caseMoidu's case (supra)PositiveCited to emphasize that there must be imminent breach of peace warranting initiation of proceedings under Ss.107 CrPC and that information must be adequate.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

# **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** # **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN TUESDAY, THE 12[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 21ST BHADRA, 1945 CRL.MC NO. 6519 OF 2023 MC 255/2023 OF SUB DIVISIONAL COURT,FORT COCHI ``` ## **`PETITIONER/COUNTER PETITIONER:`** ``` SHION P J AGED 24 YEARS PADASSERY VEEDU , PALAMATTOM ROAD, EDAKOCHI, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, KERALA, PIN - 682010 BY ADV S.SIDHARDHAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENT/INFORMANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 2STATION HOUSE OFFICER PALLURUTHY POLICE STATION, PALLURUTHY, PIN - 682006 ``` ## **`OTHER PRESENT:`** ``` SEENA. C PP ``` ``` THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 12.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: ``` CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **2** ## **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J. -------------------------------Crl.M.C. No.6519 of 2023 ---------------------------------------------Dated this the 12[th] day of September, 2023** ## **ORDER** This Criminal Miscellaneous Case is filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (“the Code” for the sake of brevity). 2. Petitioner is the Counter petitioner in M.C. No.255/2023 on the file of Court of the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Fort Kochi. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate initiated proceedings against the petitioner under Section 107 of the Code and passed an order under Section 111 of the Code, requesting to execute a bond. Annexure-1 is the notice under Section 111 of the Code. According to the petitioner, the above notice is unsustainable. The counsel for the petitioner submitted that only two cases are registered against the petitioner and the substance of allegation is not mentioned in the order. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **3** ## the learned Public Prosecutor. 4. A perusal of Annexure-1 notice would not show that it is an order passed in tune with Section 107 r/w Section 111 Cr.PC. In **Girish P. and others v. State of Kerala and another (2009 (4) KHC 929)** , the mandate of Section 111 and Section 107 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 CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **4** 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 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 vs State of Kerala and Another (2015 (5) KHC 507)** also, this Court considered the same point and relevant paragraph is extracted hereunder:- CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **5** “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 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 CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **6** 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 considered opinion that Annexure A1 is not an order in tune with Section 111 Cr.PC and 107 Cr.PC. It is only stated that two crimes are charged by the Palluruthy Police Station against the counter petitioner. 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. CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **7** Therefore, this Criminal Miscellaneous case is allowed. All further proceedings against the petitioner based on Annexure-1 are quashed. sd/- **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN JUDGE** JV CrlM.C..No.6519/2023 **8** ## **`APPENDIX OF CRL.MC 6519/2023`** ``` PETITIONER ANNEXURES Annexure 1TRUE COPY OF THE SCREEN SHOT OF THE ORDER DATED 1ST JULY 2023 RECEIVED THROUGH 'WHATSAPP' IN PETITONER'S REDMI NOTE 8 PRO MOBILE PHONE BEARING SUBSCRIBER NO. 8129924428 ON 20.07.2023 AT 9.17 AM ```