Muhammad Shoaib S/O Qasim Ahmed vs SSP Shahrae Faisal Khi & Ors
The applicant sought to set aside an order passed by the Ex-officio Justice of Peace/8th Additional Sessions Judge, Karachi East, which had dismissed his application for the registration of an FIR against the proposed accused regarding an alleged incident of snatching. The core legal question was whether the Justice of Peace was bound to direct the police to register an FIR in every instance where a cognizable offence is alleged, or whether judicial discretion applies. The Court held that the impugned order was sound and required no interference, noting that the applicant was already named in a pending FIR filed by the proposed accused, suggesting the current application was a retaliatory measure to frustrate existing proceedings. The Court affirmed that the role of a Justice of Peace under Section 22-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 is not mechanical; they must apply judicial mind to determine if a genuine cognizable offence is disclosed and ensure the provision is not abused for harassment or mala fide purposes. Consequently, the application was dismissed.
- Is a Justice of Peace legally obligated to direct the registration of an FIR in every case where a cognizable offence is alleged?
- Does Section 22-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 require a Justice of Peace to apply judicial mind before ordering the registration of an FIR?
- Can an application under Section 22-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 be dismissed if the court finds the request is motivated by mala fide intent?
- Section 22-A, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 489-F, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
1. The applicant through the present application sought indulgence of this Court for issuance of directions to S.H.O concerned for registration of case against the proposed accused as his application filed by him before the learned 8th Additional Sessions Judge Karachi, East was dismissed vide order dated 23.07.2022 ("Impugned Order").
2. Learned counsel for the applicant contended that the learned Justice of Peace/8th Additional Session Judge Karachi, East failed to apply his judicial mind while deciding the application and passed the impugned order. He further contended that the proposed accused has snatched an amount of Rs.175,00,000/- from the applicant/ complainant, therefore, the proposed accused has committed a cognizable offence, therefore, the impugned order be set aside and directions be issued to the SHO concerned for registration of FIR.
3. Learned counsel for the proposed accused assisted by learned DPG supported the impugned order contending that the impugned order was passed by the learned Ex-officio Justice of Peace/8th Additional Sessions Judge Karachi East is according to law.
4. Heard the arguments and perused the record. The essence of impugned order is that applicant is named in the FIR No.89/2022 under Section 489-F PPC lodged by the proposed accused and that the applicant is bent upon to lodge a counter FIR against the proposed accused to frustrate the proceedings pending against the applicant.
5. The law in its true perspective is settled that duty of justice of peace is administrative in nature and he is saddled with the administrative duty to redress the grievance of complainant aggrieved by refusal of police officer to register their report and is not authorized to assume the role of investigating agency or prosecution. But Justice of peace is supposed to apply his judicial mind after perusing the facts of the application enumerated in the application and police report as to whether the facts introduced by applicant/petitioner is cognizable in nature or otherwise. The version of the applicant as introduced on record seems to be in mystery and no firm opinion can be drawn keeping in view the impugned order.
6. Section 22-A Cr.P.C does not permit Justice of Peace to go into the veracity of the pleadings in depth, which is introduced on record by the applicant lest object of filing 22-A Cr.P.C would become redundant. But it is settled that Justice of Peace is duty bound to apply his judicial mind in order to form a prima facie view that cognizable information has been brought on record by the applicant. From the facts of the application no cognizable information stated by the applicant/petitioner. It is now settled law that Ex-Officio/Justice of Peace is not bound to issue in all cases a direction to concerned SHO for the registration of FIR. The Section 22-A Cr.P.C. is an enabling and beneficiary piece of legislation and therefore the duty is also casts upon the courts to save it to be misused and abused and to be used in only genuine cases.
7. In 2009 YLR 1533 Muhammad Arif v. the state this Court observed as under:- "Not always necessary to direct the Police to register the F.I.R., if on the face of it application filed by the complainant appeared to be mala fide---No doubt before passing the order of registration of F.I.R., no enquiry was necessary, but Justice of Peace had to apply his mind to form an opinion about the commission of a cognizable offence and it was not obligatory for the Justice of Peace to issue direction in every case irrespective of the facts and circumstances of the case".
8. In another judgment reported in 2010 YLR 189 mylord Mr. Justice Amir Hani Muslim (as his lordship then was) has been pleased to observe as under: - "The provisions of section 22-A Cr.PC have been misused in a number of cases. The wisdom of legislature was not that any person who in discharging his duties takes an action against the accused would be subjected to harassment by invoking the provision of section 22-A Cr.PC. The Courts in mechanical manner should not allow application under section 22-A & B and should apply its mind as the applicant has approached to the Court with clean hands or it is tainted with malice. Unless such practice is discharged, it would have far reaching effect on the police officials who on discharge of duty take action against them. The law has to be interpreted in the manner that its protection extent to everyone" ." I do not want to comment upon the conduct of the complainant, however it would be open to complainant to file direct complaint against the applicant..."
9. The impugned order passed by the learned Ex-officio Justice of Peace/8th Additional Sessions Judge Karachi East does not need any interference and based on sound reasons, therefore, the application in hand is dismissed.