T.R. Balakrishna Reddiar vs Emperor

Wallace, J.—It appears that the real facts in this case are that when the Sub-Magistrate referred the case u/s 202 to the Police for

investigation, the Police sent in a charge sheet to the Sub-Magistrate who accepted it and sent it up to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate u/s 346, as he

was of the opinion that it was a first class case. It is argued that Section 346 does not permit such action by the Sub-Magistrate at such a stage of

the proceedings. The argument takes up two positions: (1) that ''evidence'' in Section 346 is evidence'' taken by the Magistrate himself and not

statements recorded by the Police; (2) that ""inquiry""does not begin until the Magistrate himself begins to take evidence. No authority is cited for

either position.

As to (1), I see no reason to restrict the word ''evidence'' to deposition recorded by the Magistrate. Evidence in this section I take it to mean all

facts and statements which have been -disclosed by his enquiry. As to (2), I also see no reason for so restricting the meaning of the word ""inquiry.

I take it that when the Magistrate directs u/s 202, Criminal P. C., inquiry by another Magistrate or Police Officer or other person, he is doing so in

the course of his own enquiry into the offence and that his own inquiry has therefore already begun. It was open to the Sub-Magistrate when he

received the police report u/s 202--which in this case took the form of a charge sheet--to dismiss the complaint or proceed with it He chose to

proceed with it on the facts disclosed in that report and refer it u/s 346 to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. I cannot find here any lack of jurisdiction.

I note that the petition to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate objecting to his jurisdiction was not put in till several months after the trial of the case

had begun before him and after several of the prosecution witnesses had been examined. There is thus considerable ground for the Public

Prosecutor''s contention that the petition was merely put in for the purpose of delaying the trial.

The petition is dismissed.