T. Sriramulu and Others vs K. Veerasalingam

Ayling, J.—We are asked to revise an order of the District Magistrate of Godavari which directs, u/s 437 of the Criminal Procedure Code

further enquiry into a case of defamation in which the joint Magistrate of Rajahmundry, Mr. Stewart, had passed what purports to be an order of

discharge u/s 253 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Mr. Rosario on behalf of petitioners argues that Mr. Stewart''s order was, in effect, an order of

acquittal u/s 258 of the Criminal Procedure Code. If this is so, the District Magistrate undoubtedly had no power to order further enquiry u/s 437

and his order must be set aside as ultra vires.

The facts are these. The case against petitioners was first heard by Mr. Bardswell, Mr, Stewart''s predecessor in office. He heard the

prosecution witnesses and framed a charge u/s 254 of the Criminal Procedure Code, to which petitioners pleaded not guilty. He was then

transferred. Mr. Stewart recommenced the enquiry u/s 350 of the Criminal Procedure Code, examined the complainant as prosecution witness

No. 1, and then passed an order of discharge u/s 253(2).

Mr. Rosario contends that a charge having once been framed, it is not cancelled by reason of the recommencement of enquiry and the only

course open to Mr. Stewart was either to record an order of acquittal or to convict (vide Section 258 of the Criminal Procedure Code).

The only question is whether the re-commencement of a ""trial"" u/s 350 of the Criminal Procedure Code implies the cancellation of a charge

framed by the first Magistrate. There appears to be no direct authority of this or any other High Court on the point though the Punjab Chief Court

has considered a precisely similar case and arrived at the conclusion that the charge remains in force and the subsequent order must be treated as

one of acquittal and not of discharge [vide The Crown v. Natthu (1903) 38 PR(Cri) 35.]

The interpretation of Section 350 is by no means free from doubt; but on the whole I am inclined to agree with the view taken by the learned

Judges of the Punjab Chief Court. The only object of the substantive portion of Clause (1) of Section 350 seems to be to leave it to the discretion

of the Magistrate to either act on evidence recorded by his predecessor or to hear it over again for himself. The discretion is somewhat restricted

by proviso (a) and proviso (b) gives the superior Courts special powers of interference. Subject to these provisos the discretion is absolute. It is

not clear why this should involve the cancellation of the charge or the transformation of the proceedings from a ""trial"" back into an ""enquiry."" As far

as this Court is concerned, it is settled law that the proceedings before a Magistrate in a warrant case under chapter XXI of the Criminal

Procedure Code are only an ""enquiry"" until a charge is framed: and on a charge being framed become a trial (vide Palaniandy Goundan v. Emperor

ILR (1909) Mad. 218 and Narayanasawmy Naidu v. Emperor ILR (1909) Mad. 220. Bearing this distinction in mind it would seem to follow that

where the proceedings re-commenced u/s 350 are only an inquiry, they are re-commenced as an inquiry. Where they have developed into the trial

stage they are re-commenced as a trial, i.e., a proceeding in which a charge has been framed. The second Magistrate cannot ignore the charge

framed by his predecessor and his position is practically the same as that of his predecessor would have been if, after framing a charge, he had

heard further cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses u/s 256(1) and, on a consideration thereof, become satisfied that the charge was not

well founded. It may not be altogether out of place to refer to Sadagopacharyar v. Ragavacharyar ILR (1886) Mad. 282, wherein it was held that

the re-commencement of an inquiry u/s 350 did not cover a reference to the Police u/s 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code. I do not press the

analogy but it is consistent with this to hold that a Magistrate who re-commences an inquiry or trial does not thereby modify its nature or the stage

at; which it has arrived.

Mr. Stewart''s order must, in my opinion, be viewed as order of acquittal and the District Magistrate''s order for further inquiry must be set

aside.

Tyabji, J.

Section 350(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provides for the re-summoning and re-hearing of the witnesses and the re-commencement of

the inquiry or trial by the Magistrate who succeeds after his predecessor has already heard the evidence. The section is silent on the question

whether or not on such re-hearing any charge that may have been already framed after the first hearing must subsist. In purporting to interpret

Section 350 therefore we have really to decide what would have been provided in the section had the point been explicitly dealt with. It does not

appear that the point can be considered to have been dealt with by some necessary implication in that which is expressly laid down. On the other

hand, if it is assumed in this connection that the charge already framed should be considered to be wiped out, the assumption involves that the

Legislature has also overlooked the point that the succeeding Magistrate ought in that case to be empowered to frame a fresh charge or to adopt

the charge already framed; with or without alterations.

I am not prepared to say therefore that the interpretation put upon the section by the Chief Court of the Punjab is not the most reasonable one.

The petitioners ought therefore to have been acquitted'' instead of being discharged and the District Magistrate had no power to order further

inquiry. His order to that effect must consequently be set aside.