In Re: Dani and Others

Menon, J.—The petitioners were charged by the police, u/s 420 read with Section 120-B, with criminal conspiracy for cheating the public at

large. The charge was so understood by the Joint Magistrate also as his order shows. The question is whether, when, as in this ease, the

conspiracy was entered into in Bombay where the accused lived, the Joint Magistrate of Pollachi has jurisdiction to take cognizance of the offence.

All that is urged in support of the view that he has, is that one or two acts of cheating were done within his jurisdiction. In my view this is insufficient

to confer jurisdiction to try the charge of criminal conspiracy. Conspiracy was complete when the parties entered into such an agreement; and does

not depend on the subsequent act of cheating. As the allegation is that it was in Bombay, where the accused reside that they entered into the

conspiracy, the charge should have been laid there. The lower Court cannot be clothed with jurisdiction to try the charge of conspiracy merely

because the conspiracy and the different acts of cheating might form part of the same transaction, and that the charges in respect of them might be

tried together. It can have jurisdiction only in respect of the acts of cheating alleged to have been committed within its jurisdiction. The proceedings

before the lower Court are therefore quashed. This, of course, will not preclude the lower Court from taking cognizance of specific charges of

cheating or the authorities from charging the accused for criminal conspiracy before the proper tribunal.