Full Judgment
OP(CRL.) NO. 72 OF 2022 1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE KAUSER EDAPPAGATH MONDAY, THE 28TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022 / 9TH PHALGUNA, 1943 OP(CRL.) NO. 72 OF 2022 IN CC 16/2020 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS I, KAYAMKULAM PETITIONER; CHITHRA MATHEW, AGED 41 YEARS W/O.RAJU, THEKKEDATH HOUSE, KAYAMKULAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690106 BY ADVS. JOHN K.GEORGE M.A.PRABHU RESPONDENTS: 1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682031 2 BABU, AGED 56 YEARS KOCHUPLAVILA THEKKETHIL HOUSE, KATTANAM VILLAGE, VALLIKKUNNAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT PIN - 690501 3 ACHANKUNJU, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.GEORGE, KOCHUPLAVILA THEKKETHIL HOUSE, KATTANAM VILLAGE, VALLIKKUNNAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN - 690501 BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.M.P.PRASANTH THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 28.02.2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: OP(CRL.) NO. 72 OF 2022 2
JUDGMENT
The petitioner, who is the de facto complainant in Crime No.808/2019 of Vallikkunnam Police Station is aggrieved by non inclusion of Section 354 of IPC while taking cognizance of the crime by the court below.
2. According to the petitioner, the first information
statement of the victim as well as the materials collected during investigation would disclose that an offence under Section 354 of IPC is involved. However, the charge sheet was filed by the police for the offences under Sections 294(b), 509, 506(1), 341, 354(A)(iv) r/w 34 of IPC. The court below mechanically took cognizance of those offences, it is alleged.
3. It is up to the court to frame charge after perusing all
the records and after hearing both sides. At the time of framing charge, the court can very well consider whether the offence OP(CRL.) NO. 72 OF 2022 3 under Section 354 of IPC is involved. Needless to say, the court can at any time alter the charge also. Accordingly, this Original Petition (Crl) is disposed of with a direction that the court below shall consider at the time of framing charge whether the offence under Section 354 of IPC is attracted or not. Needless to say, if the offence under Section 354 of IPC is attracted, the court below shall frame charge for the said offence. Sd/- DR. KAUSER EDAPPAGATH JUDGE ab OP(CRL.) NO. 72 OF 2022 4 APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 72/2022 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit1 A TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT GIVEN BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE CIVIL POLICE OFFICER DATED 05/08/2019 Exhibit2 A TRUE COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT IN CRIME NO. 808/2019 OF VALLIKKUNNAM POLICE STATION. RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS : NIL