High CourtsSingle Bench

K. Jayaramanuju vs Janakaraj and others

Madras High Court · Decided on 15 February 1996 · Citation: (1997) CriLJ 1623 : (1996) 1 CTC 470

HON’BLE JUDGES
M. Karpagavinayagam, J
ACTS & SECTIONS REFERRED
Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) — Section 294
CASE NUMBER
Criminal Revision Case No. 657 of 1993
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Judgment

30 paragraphs · 586 words

M. Karpagavinayagam, J.—This revision has been preferred by the first informant in the police case against the order of acquittal passed by

learned Judicial magistrate. Gingee dated 7-1-93 in C.C. No. 63 of 1991, in respect of the offence u/s 294. I.P.C.

2.

According to the prosecution, on 11-6-1990 at 7.00 p.m. while PW-1 Jaya Ramanujam was sitting in the pial of PW-2 Purusothaman along

with PW-2, PW-3, Sundaresan and one Madavarajan, the 1st respondent/accused came in a cycle and scolded PW-1 by saying

(Vernacular matter is omitted ....... Ed.)

The motive attributed to the accused for having uttered these words was that PW-1 Jayaramanujam has supported one Madhavarajan, who was

enemically disposed of towards the accused. Immediately. PW-1 gave the complaint Ex. P1 to the police, who in turn registered the case,

conducted the investigation and filed the charge sheet against the 1st respondent accused u/s 294, I.P.C.

3.

The trial Court after elaborate trial, acquitted the accused on three grounds :-

(i) Though the occurrence took place on 11-6-1990, the First Information Report has reached the concerned Magistrate on 14-6-1990. That

delay of three days has not been properly explained by the prosecution.

(ii) The Sub-Inspector of Police, who has investigated the case has not been examined.

(iii) There is no evidence to prove the ingredients of the offence u/s 294 C.P.C., viz., uttering of obscene words to the annoyance of others.

Against this judgment, the first informant being the aggrieved petitioner filed this revision.

4.

Heard Mr. Thirugnanam, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Maninarayanan, learned counsel for 1st respondent and Mr. P. Govindarajan,

learned Government Advocate appearing for 2nd respondent/State.

5.

Time and again the Courts have clearly held that in the matter of revision against acquittal, that too, by a private party in a police case, the Court

should not incline to interfere with the findings on fact rendered by the Court below. Taking into consideration of the principles and scope on the

powers of revision as held by this Court as well as by the Apex Court, I find in this instant revision, that there is no justifiable reason to interfere

with the findings given by the trial Court. On going through the judgment of the trial Court, I find that the findings recorded by the Court below on

three grounds referred above are well merited and have been arrived at after a careful, exhaustive and proper analysis and consideration of both

oral and documentary evidence on record. A cursory perusal of the Judgment of the Court below would disclose that the learned trial Magistrate

have elaborately considered the relevant and vital materials on record in arriving at the conclusions to acquit the 1st respondent/accused, rejecting

the case of prosecution. To prove the offence u/s 294, I.P.C. mere utterance of obscene words are not sufficient, but there must be a further proof

to establish that it was to the annoyance of others, which is lacking in this case.

6.

In the light of the above and having regard to the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the revision petitioner, the trial magistrate could

not be said to be at error in acquitting the 1st respondent/accused. The finding of acquittal is based on sound and proper reasoning. As such, I do

not find any illegality or infirmity in the order of trial Magistrate, and there is no justification to interfere with the same.

7.

In that view, the revision is liable to be dismissed and is accordingly dismissed.

8.

Revision dismissed.