BASHARATULLAH KHAN vs STATION HOUSE OFFICER, 'IV SECTION LATIFABAD, UNIT NO.6, HYDERABAD and others
This constitutional petition challenged an order passed by an Ex-Officio Justice of Peace dismissing the petitioner's application under Section 22-A and B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898. The petitioner sought the registration of an FIR regarding allegations of forgery, despite a previous FIR on the same subject having been disposed of as 'C' class by a Magistrate, an order the petitioner failed to challenge. The core legal question was whether a second application under Section 22-A and B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 is maintainable when a prior application on the same grievance had already been adjudicated and the resulting investigation/proceedings had attained finality. The Court held that the petition was incompetent and not maintainable. It reasoned that while the Ex-Officio Justice of Peace has jurisdiction to direct the registration of an FIR, this power cannot be invoked repeatedly for the same grievance once the initial process has been exhausted. The Court established that a petitioner cannot use Section 22-A and B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 to circumvent the finality of a Magistrate's order or to address alleged defects in investigation, for which other legal remedies are provided.
- Is a second application under Section 22-A and B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 maintainable when a prior application on the same grievance has already been adjudicated?
- Can a petitioner invoke the jurisdiction of an Ex-Officio Justice of Peace to challenge an investigation report that has already attained finality?
- Does the failure to challenge a Magistrate's order disposing of an FIR as 'C' class preclude the complainant from filing a fresh application under Section 22-A and B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 for the same grievance?
- Section 22-A, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 22-B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 173, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 468, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 470, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 471, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 473, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
SALAHUDDIN PANHWAR, J.---Through this petition, the petitioner has assailed the order dated 29.02.2018 passed on application under section 22-A and B, Cr.P.C., moved by petitioner, whereby his application was dismissed on the ground(s) that the issue between the parties is over the property which is of civil nature and that the petitioner intends to convert the same into criminal litigation; that earlier FIR No.195/2011 was registered on the same issue hence such application was dismissed.
2. It is further revealed that allegedly proposed accused annexed a forged application with the petition, stamped by the SHO P.S. B-Section Hyderabad thereby claiming to have approached to the police authorities and also filed the Criminal Miscellaneous Application for legal action against the proposed accused which was disposed of with direction to the petitioner that he shall approach the proper forum. Such letter is available at Page 71. On the application of the applicant the SSP Hyderabad issued direction whereunder, the Senior Superintendent of Police Crime Branch, Hyderabad submitted that this issue needs inquiry and clarifications hence both the applications were sent back to the SSP Hyderabad however, it was yet not clear that whether any action was taken by the SSP Hyderabad to ascertain the facts as pleaded by the petitioner otherwise.
Meanwhile, the petitioner filed application under section 22-A and B, Cr.P.C. (Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.28/2011) which was disposed of vide order dated 29.12.2012 with direction to the concerned police station for recording of the statement. Such statement was recorded and the same was converted in FIR No.195/2011 under sections 468, 470, 471, 473, 34, P.P.C.
After the investigation, such report was submitted under section 173, Cr.P.C. before the concerned Magistrate. By order dated 15.03.2012 such report was not accepted on the ground that in case any forged or false information is received by the police station, the only concerned police station is competent to move against, the delinquent person not the complainant hence the same was disposed of under 'C' class. Admittedly, the petitioner failed to challenge that order and moved, in question, Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.285/2013, that was declined by order dated 28.02.2013.
3. Prima facie, the case of the petitioner is that the proposed accused filed an application with bogus police stamp of the police station for which act he moved applications, including Criminal Miscellaneous Application No.28/2011, and admittedly in consequence thereof an FIR was recorded, which however was cancelled by Magistrate concerned. Counsel for the petitioner vehemently contends that it is the fault of investigation that if only the policy was competent then they were required to have come forward to file the case against the proposed accused hence on this ground his earlier FIR was wrongly disposed of therefore, having no other option he has moved another application under section 22-A and B, Cr.P.C.
4. Heard and perused the record.
5. We are of the considered view that second application was incompetent under the law when already his application on the same ground was allowed but same could not bring the desired results. The negligence on part of the police to record an FIR is an entirely different thing and cannot be compared to a grievance of defects into investigation because same was found by legislature to be a denial to a mandatory obligation therefore, Ex-Officio Justice has specifically been vested with jurisdiction to issue such appropriate directions. It is a matter of record on same grievance (complaint) the appropriate direction was issued by Ex-Officio Justice of Peace but mere failure of one to have desired result would not be sufficient to allow him to repeat such application. In case, there was any defect in the investigation, he was competent to assail that investigation before the proper forum or even if he was aggrieved with order of the Magistrate whereby FIR was disposed under "C" class, then he (petitioner) was required to have challenged the same. He (petitioner) however opted not to do so thereby letting both actions/orders to attain finality. Accordingly, the instant petition, being not tenable in law, is dismissed. However, since the application before the police was also moved by the petitioner, he would be competent to pursue his remedy before the same forum, if so advised.