[CASE NUMBER] INTHEHIGHCOURTOFGUJARATATAHMEDABAD CRIMINALMISC[CASE NUMBER]APPLICATION(FORJOININGPARTY)NO[CASE NUMBER]2690of2015 [CASE NUMBER] With SPECIALCRIMINALAPPLICATIONNO[CASE NUMBER]3238of2014 FORAPPROVALANDSIGNATURE: HONOURABLEMR[CASE NUMBER]JUSTICE[ENTITY] 1 WhetherReportersofLocalPapersmaybeallowedtosee thejudgment? 2 TobereferredtotheReporterornot? 3 WhethertheirLordshipswishtoseethefaircopyofthe judgment? 4 Whetherthiscaseinvolvesasubstantialquestionoflawas to the interpretation of the [ACT] or any ordermadethereunder? MANOJBHAIPARSHOTTAMBHAIMOVALIYA Applicant(s) Versus JEKORBEND/O[CASE NUMBER]RATANJIBHAIGOVINDBHAI&4 Respondent(s) Appearance: [ENTITY],SENIORCOUNSELWITHMRPRAVINGONDALIYA, ADVOCATEfortheApplicant(s)No[CASE NUMBER]1 [ENTITY],[ENTITY],ADVOCATE fortheRespondent(s)No[CASE NUMBER]1 [ENTITY],[ENTITY],APP fortheRespondent(s)No[CASE NUMBER]2 CORAM:HONOURABLEMR[CASE NUMBER]JUSTICE[ENTITY] Date:08/05/2015 CAVJUDGMENT
1[CASE NUMBER] PresentCriminalMisc[CASE NUMBER]Applicationisfiledbytheoriginalaccused of [CASE NUMBER] registered with D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] Police Station, Surat, whereinhehasprayedthathemaybejoinedaspartyrespondentin Special [CASE NUMBER], whereas, Special [CASE NUMBER] is filed by the original complainantunderArticle226oftheConstitution ofIndiaandunder Section 482 of the [ACT], 1973 (hereinafter referredtoas'theCode')whereintheoriginalcomplainanthasprayed that the action of the State Government of handing over the investigation of FIR being [CASE NUMBER][CASE NUMBER]I35of 2014 registered with D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] Police Station, Surat, to CID (Crime) be quashed and set aside and further prayed that file of the aforesaid FIR be called for and after perusing the same, appropriate orders be passed with regard to its investigation[CASE NUMBER]
2[CASE NUMBER] ThattheFIR[CASE NUMBER][CASE NUMBER]I35of2014cametoberegisteredwith D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]PoliceStationagainstoneJayantibhaiSukhabhaiand7others[CASE NUMBER] OneManojbhaiParshottumbhaiMovaliyaisshownasanaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8 inthesaidFIR[CASE NUMBER]ThesaidFIRcametoberegisteredon02[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014before theD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]PoliceStation,Surat[CASE NUMBER]Itisthecaseoftheoriginalcomplainant that within 3 days i[CASE NUMBER]e[CASE NUMBER] on 05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014 the original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8 ManojbhaiParshottumbhaiMovaliyamadearepresentationbeforethe StateGovernmentandrequestedthattheinvestigationofthesaidFIRbe transferredtoanyotheragency[CASE NUMBER]TheStateGovernmentontheverysame dayi[CASE NUMBER]e[CASE NUMBER]on05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014transferredtheinvestigationofthesaidFIRto CID(Crime)[CASE NUMBER]Theoriginalcomplainant,therefore,haspreferredSpecial [CASE NUMBER], wherein, as observed hereinabove,shehasprayedthattheactionoftheStateGovernmentof transferring the investigation be quashed and set aside[CASE NUMBER] In the said petition, original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8 [ENTITY] wasnotjoinedasapartyrespondentandthereforehehasfiledCriminal [CASE NUMBER] thepetitionfiledbytheoriginalcomplainant[CASE NUMBER]
3[CASE NUMBER] In this background, this Court passed an order on 06[CASE NUMBER]02[CASE NUMBER]2015, whereby,thesaidmisc[CASE NUMBER]applicationwasorderedtobeheardwiththe mainpetitionandthereforethesaidmisc[CASE NUMBER]applicationandmainpetition wereheardtogether[CASE NUMBER]
4[CASE NUMBER] The learned Senior Counsel Shri [ENTITY] appearing with learned advocate Shri [ENTITY] for the original complainant opposed the misc[CASE NUMBER] application on various grounds[CASE NUMBER] Therefore, before decidingthemainpetition,thequestionwhichisrequiredtobedecided isastowhethertheapplicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8isrequiredtobe joinedinthepetitionfiledbytheoriginalcomplainantornot[CASE NUMBER]
5[CASE NUMBER] LearnedSeniorCounselShri[ENTITY]withlearnedadvocate ShriPravinGondaliyahassubmittedthatfalseandfrivolouscomplaintis filedbytheoriginalcomplainantagainsttheapplicantandotherpersons before the D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] Police Station, Surat[CASE NUMBER] By filing the said FIR certain material aspects were suppressed[CASE NUMBER] It is further submitted that D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] PoliceStation,Surathasnojurisdictiontoinvestigatetheoffencerelated tothelanddispute[CASE NUMBER]SpecialCriminalApplicationisfiledbytheoriginal complainant without joining the applicant - original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8 as partyrespondentandthereforeifanyorderispassedinfavourofthe original complainant in the aforesaid special criminal application, the applicantwouldbeaffected[CASE NUMBER]Learnedcounselfurtherarguedthatthough the allegations are levelled against the accused persons that they are highlyinfluentialpersonsandthereiscolourableexerciseofpowersby theStatewhiletransferringtheinvestigationfromD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]PoliceStation, Surat to CID (Crime), the petitioner - original complainant has not chosentojointheaccusedpersonsasrespondentsinthepetitionwhich itself shows that complainantwants toobtain favourable orders from thisCourtbehindthebackoftheaccusedtoachievetheirmalafidegoal[CASE NUMBER] LearnedcounselfurthersubmittedthatwhentheStateGovernmenthas passedanorderoftransferofinvestigationfromD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]PoliceStation, SurattoCID(Crime)onthe basisoftherepresentation made bythe applicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8,ifanyorderispassedinfavourofthe petitioner-originalcomplainant,theapplicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8 would be affected[CASE NUMBER] Hence, he may be joined as party in the main petition[CASE NUMBER]
6[CASE NUMBER] On the other hand, learned Senior Counsel Shri [ENTITY] submitted that the accused has no locus to be heard at the stage of investigation[CASE NUMBER]Therefore,thepetitioner-originalcomplainanthasrightly notjoinedtheaccusedaspartyrespondents[CASE NUMBER]Learnedcounselhasrelied uponthedecisionoftheHon'bleSupremeCourtrenderedinthecaseof Central bureau of Investigation & Anr[CASE NUMBER] v[CASE NUMBER] Rajesh Gandhi & Anr[CASE NUMBER], reported in (1996) 11 SCC 253, wherein, in para 8, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that, "the decision to investigate or the decision on the agency which should investigate, does not attract principles of natural justice[CASE NUMBER] The accused cannot have a say in who shouldinvestigatetheoffencesheischargedwith[CASE NUMBER]Wealsofailtosee anyprovisionoflawforrecordingreasonsforsuchadecision[CASE NUMBER]"
7[CASE NUMBER] LearnedcounselhasalsorelieduponthedecisionoftheHon'ble SupremeCourtinthecaseof UnionofIndia&Anr[CASE NUMBER]v[CASE NUMBER]W[CASE NUMBER]N[CASE NUMBER]Chadha, reportedin1993Supp(4)SCC260[CASE NUMBER]Inthesaiddecision,inpara89and 90,theHon'bleSupremeCourthasobservedasunder:
"89[CASE NUMBER] Applyingtheaboveprinciple,itmaybeheldthatwhenthe investigatingofficerisnotdecidinganymatterexceptcollecting thematerialsforascertainingwhetheraprimafaciecaseismade outornotandafullenquiryincaseoffilingareportunderS[CASE NUMBER] 173(2)followsinatrialbeforetheCourtorTribunalpursuantto thefilingofthereport,itcannotbesaidthatatthatstageruleof audialteram[CASE NUMBER]partemsuperimposesanobligationtoissueaprior noticeandheartheaccusedwhichthestatutedoesnotexpressly recognise[CASE NUMBER] The question is not whether audi alteram partem is implicit,butwheretheoccasionforitsattractionexistsatall[CASE NUMBER]
90[CASE NUMBER] Under the scheme of [SECTION] of the [ACT], there are various provisions under which no prior noticeoropportunityofbeingheardisconferredasamatterof coursetoanaccusedpersonwhiletheproceedingisinthestageof aninvestigationbyapoliceofficer[CASE NUMBER]"
8[CASE NUMBER] Learned counsel thereafter relied upon the order dated 09[CASE NUMBER]01[CASE NUMBER]2013passedbythisCourtinCriminalMisc[CASE NUMBER] [CASE NUMBER] order,inpara16,16[CASE NUMBER]1and17[CASE NUMBER]3,thisCourthasobservedasunder:
"16[CASE NUMBER]Thus,theaccusedpersonordinarilydoesnothaveanysay,or rightofhearing,inthematteraboutthemannerandmethodof investigationortoclaimastohowandbywhomtheinvestigation should be carried on or whether a particular agency should investigatethecaseornotand/ortoclaimthattheinvestigation shouldbecarriedoutonlybyparticularagency[CASE NUMBER]
16[CASE NUMBER]1 When such right is not available to the accused, then, it wouldfollow,asacorollary,thataccusedperson/scannotbesaid tobeorcannotbeconsidered,andcannotbejoinedas,necessary party in the matter related to investigation process and the accused person cannot claim, as a matter of right, that they should be joined as party respondent and ordinarily accused person also cannot claim right of being heard, in the matters relatedtoinvestigationprocessmoresowhentheinvestigationis inprogress[CASE NUMBER]
xxxxxx 17[CASE NUMBER]3 AsheldbytheHon'bleApexCourt,theaccusedhasnoright of hearing at the stage of investigation as regards the aspects relatedtoorarisingfromtheprocessofinvestigation,including theissueastotheagencywhowouldconducttheinvestigationor themannerofconductingtheinvestigation[CASE NUMBER]Theaccuseddoesnot comeinpictureandhehasnorighttoclaimthatitisnecessary partyatthestageofinvestigationandthatitshouldbeimpleaded as necessary party and should be joined as party respondent and/ortoclaimrightofbeingheard[CASE NUMBER]"
9[CASE NUMBER] I have considered the submissions canvassed on behalf of the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties[CASE NUMBER] At the time of hearingofthisapplicationandthepetition,originalfileswerecalledfor andIhavegonethroughtherelevantpapersoftheoriginalfiles[CASE NUMBER]From the record, it emerges that the FIR being [CASE NUMBER] was registered with D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] Police Station, Surat on 02[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014 against 8 accusedincludingtheapplicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8[CASE NUMBER]On05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014, applicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8madeadetailedrepresentationbefore theStateGovernmentwhereinhehadpointedouthowthefalseFIRis registered against him[CASE NUMBER] He, therefore, made a request to the State GovernmentthattheinvestigationofthesaidFIRbetransferredtoany otherindependentagency[CASE NUMBER]Onthebasisofthesaidrepresentation,the State Government has taken a decision on the verysame day i[CASE NUMBER]e[CASE NUMBER]on 05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014totransfertheinvestigationtoCID(Crime)[CASE NUMBER]Thus,thesaid investigation has been transferred at the instance of the applicant - original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8[CASE NUMBER] It is further required to be noted that in the petitionfiledbytheoriginalcomplainant,inpara15,thecomplainant hasstatedasunder:
"(15) Itisrespectfullystatedandsubmittedthatoriginalaccused persons are highlyt influential and the colourable power of exercisebytheStateisonlytocauseprejudicetothepetitioner who is a widow of 59 years and she will have to travel to Gandhinagar/Ahmedabadofteniftheinvestigationistransferred toCIDCrime[CASE NUMBER]"
10[CASE NUMBER] Thus,whenthe petitioner -original complainanthas madethe allegationsagainsttheaccusedthattheyarehighlyinfluentialpersons andattheir instance the State Government, incolourable exercise of powers,hastakenthedecisiontotransfertheinvestigation,theoriginal petitioneroughttohavejoinedtheapplicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8as party respondent[CASE NUMBER] Further, the State Government has exercised the powers on the basis of the representation made by the applicant - original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8 and therefore if ultimately the decision of the StateGovernmentisquashedandsetasidebythisCourt,theapplicant- originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8wouldbeaffected[CASE NUMBER]Thus,inthefactsofthepresent case,inmyopinion,theapplicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8isnecessary party,thoughheisanaccused[CASE NUMBER]
11[CASE NUMBER] EventhisCourtintheaforesaidorderdated09[CASE NUMBER]01[CASE NUMBER]2013passedin [CASE NUMBER] after discussing various decisionsoftheHon'bleSupremeCourt,inpara16,hasobservedthat theaccusedpersonordinarilydoesnothaveanysay,orrightofhearing, inthematteraboutthemannerandmethodofinvestigation[CASE NUMBER]ThisCourt afterconsideringthedecisionrenderedbytheHon'bleSupremeCourt, in para 16[CASE NUMBER]2 of the said order, has further observed that, " Furthermore, even in the decision relied on by the applicants the Hon'ble Apex Court has observed that, the Court may, in its discretion, grant hearing to the suspect or affected parties[CASE NUMBER] However, that also is not an absolute rule of law and is primarily a matter in the judicial discretion of the Court[CASE NUMBER] The Hon'ble Apex Court has thus explained and clarified that the issue related to hearing the suspect or affected party while considering the issue about transferring investigation is primarily in judicial discretion[CASE NUMBER]"
12[CASE NUMBER] Thus, from the aforesaid observations made by this Court, it is clear that this Court may, in its discretion, grant hearing to the suspect or affected partiesinthefactsandcircumstancesofthecase[CASE NUMBER] Accordingly,inthefactsofthepresentcase,Iamoftheopinionthatthe applicant-originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8isrequiredtobeheard[CASE NUMBER]
13[CASE NUMBER] Ihavealreadyobservedhereinabovethattheapplicationfiledby theoriginalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8forjoininghimasrespondentwasorderedto be heard with the main special criminal application and submissions werealsocanvassedbythe learnedSeniorCounselappearingfor the applicant-original accusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8in the petition filedbythe original complainant[CASE NUMBER]
14[CASE NUMBER] Learned Senior Counsel Shri [ENTITY] for the petitioner - original complainant submitted that the petitioner has filed the FIR [CASE NUMBER][CASE NUMBER]I35of2014registeredwithD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]PoliceStation,Surat against8accused[CASE NUMBER]ThesaidFIRcametoberegisteredon02[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014[CASE NUMBER] Surprisingly,theStateGovernment,onthebasisoftherepresentation made by the applicant - original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8, has transferred the investigation toCID(Crime)[CASE NUMBER]Thepetitioner came toknowaboutthe samewhenshereadinthelocalnewspaperon07[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014[CASE NUMBER]Noreasonis givenastowhysuchstepistakenbytheGovernment[CASE NUMBER]Suchtransferof investigationismadeassomeunknownhandhasplayedarolebecause thelandinquestionisverypreciousparceloflandinSuratcityhaving high value and therefore only with a view to cause prejudice to the complainanttheinvestigationistransferred[CASE NUMBER]Therefore,suchtransferof investigation is nothing but a colourable exercise of powers[CASE NUMBER] Learned counselfurthersubmittedthataspertheschemeofChapterXIIofthe Code, the information is to be given to the police of any cognizable offenceregardingwhichthereisaprovision[CASE NUMBER]AsperSection154ofthe Code,suchinformationistobegiventoanofficerinchargeofapolice station[CASE NUMBER]SuchreportisknownasanFIR[CASE NUMBER]Thepowersofthepoliceofficer toinvestigatethecognizableoffenceareprovidedunderSection156of theCode[CASE NUMBER]LearnedcounselfurtherreferredtoSection177to179ofthe Codeandsubmittedthatinthepresentcasetheoffenceiscommitted withinthelocaljurisdictionoftheSuratcityandthereforetheD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] Police Station, Surat would have the jurisdiction to investigate such offence[CASE NUMBER]Counselfurthersubmittedthatthereisnoreasonwhatsoeverto handovertheinvestigationtoCID(Crime)inashortspanoffourdaysof the registration ofthe FIR[CASE NUMBER]The Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Government of Gujarat, has filed an affidavit on 29[CASE NUMBER]09[CASE NUMBER]2014 in this petition[CASE NUMBER] Thelearnedcounselbyreferringthesaidaffidavitsubmitted thatwithinaperiodofthreedaysonly,onthebasisoftherepresentation from the accused, the State Government has transferred the investigationtoCID(Crime)onthegroundthattheaccusedhasshown the apprehension that the petitioner has filed a false FIR against the accusedwithanulteriormotiveandthereforesuchpowersareexercised is misconceived[CASE NUMBER] Referring to the aforesaid affidavit, learned counsel further submitted that in the said affidavit it is stated that the State Government is having power under the [ACT] to transfer the investigation to CID (Crime) in public interestandthereforethedecisiontakenbytheDepartmentiswithinits jurisdiction[CASE NUMBER]Tosuchavermentsintheaffidavit,learnedcounselforthe petitioner submitted that the State Government has carried out the exerciseattheinstanceoftheaccusedandthepetitioner-complainant was not heard before taking such decision[CASE NUMBER] Learned counsel further submittedthatboththepartiestotheFIRi[CASE NUMBER]e[CASE NUMBER]thecomplainantonone hand and the accused on the other hand are private parties and therefore no public interest is involved as averred by the Deputy Secretaryinhisaffidavitandthereforetheexerciseofpowersonthepart of the State Governmentoftransferringthe investigation fromD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] PoliceStation,SurattoCID(Crime)is malafide[CASE NUMBER]Learnedcounselhas relieduponthedecisionrenderedbytheHon'bleSupremeCourtinthe caseofNareshKavarchandKhatriv[CASE NUMBER]StateofGujarat&Anr[CASE NUMBER],reported in 2008(3) G[CASE NUMBER]L[CASE NUMBER]H[CASE NUMBER] 161[CASE NUMBER] In the said decision, in para 6 and 10, the Hon'bleSupremeCourthasobservedasunder:
"6[CASE NUMBER] It is of some significance that the High Court exerciseditsjurisdictionevenwithoutnoticetothepetitioner[CASE NUMBER] The investigation has to be carried out on the basis of the allegations made[CASE NUMBER] The first informant is required to be examined; statements of his witnesses were required to be taken;theaccusedwerealsorequiredtobeinterrogated[CASE NUMBER]
TheunduehastewithwhichtheHighCourthasexercisedits jurisdiction, in our opinion, should not be encouraged[CASE NUMBER] Whetheranofficerinchargeofapolicestationhastherequisite jurisdictiontomakeinvestigationornotwilldependupona largenumberoffactorsincludingthosecontainedinSections 177,178and181oftheCodeofCriminalProcedure[CASE NUMBER]Inacase whereatrialcanbeheldinanyoftheplacesfallingwithinthe purviewoftheaforementionedprovisions,investigationcanbe conducted by the concerned officer incharge of the police stationwhichhasjurisdictiontoinvestigateinrelationthereto[CASE NUMBER] [SECTION] of the [ACT]
10[CASE NUMBER] The first information report was lodged on 23rd December, 2006[CASE NUMBER] The High Court appears to have been approachedwithinafewdays,namely26thDecember,2008[CASE NUMBER] Theimpugnedorderhasbeenpassedon28thDecember,2008[CASE NUMBER] The firstinformationreportprimafacieshowsthatapartof causeofjurisdictionarosewithintheterritorialjurisdictionof VadodaraPoliceStation[CASE NUMBER][ENTITY] such an early stage, the investigation should have been directed to be transferred, having regard to the fact that WaghodiaPoliceStationwherethe'institution'inquestionis situatediswithinthejurisdictionofVadodara(District)andis, therefore,notacasewheretheaccusedwouldhavebeeneven otherwisegravelyprejudicedinjoininginvestigation[CASE NUMBER]"
14[CASE NUMBER]1 Learned counsel for the petitioner has further relied upon the decisionoftheHon'bleSupremeCourtinthecaseof Dishav[CASE NUMBER]Stateof Gujarat&Others,reportedin(2011)13SCC337,whereininpara21 and24,theHon'bleApexCourthasobservedasunder:
"21[CASE NUMBER] Thus,itisevidentthatthisCourthastransferred thematterto CBIoranyotherspecialagencyonlywhenthe Courtwassatisfiedthattheaccusedhadbeenverypowerful and influential person or State authorities like high police officialswereinvolvedandtheinvestigationhadnotproceeded withinproperdirectionorithadbeenbiased[CASE NUMBER]Insuchacase, inordertodocompletejusticeandhavingbeliefthatitwould lend the final outcome of the investigation credibility, such directionshavebeenissued[CASE NUMBER]
24[CASE NUMBER] In the instant case, the petitioner herself is the accused[CASE NUMBER] A huge amount of Rs[CASE NUMBER]60 crores has been collected frominnocentpersonsgivingthemfalseassurancesthattheir amountwouldhaveahighpremium[CASE NUMBER]Ithasnotbeenallegedin thepetitionthatanyoftheinvestorisverypowerfulorcapable tomanagetheinvestigationagainstthepetitionerorthatthe caseofsuicideofherhusbandisnotproperlyinvestigated[CASE NUMBER]Itis nobody'scasethatthepolicehasunnecessarilyharassedthe petitioner;rather,therecordofthecaserevealsthatitisonly aftercompleting theinvestigation, thatthe chargesheethas been filed against 13 persons including the petitioner[CASE NUMBER] No allegation [ENTITY] hasbeenallegedagainstany investigating authority nor had it been pleaded that charge sheet had been filed against the petitioner without investigatingthecaseorhavinganyvindictiveattitudetowards the petitioner[CASE NUMBER] In fact, the petition is based purely on mere apprehensionbythepetitioner[CASE NUMBER]Noneofthegroundstakenby thepetitionerfortransferistenable[CASE NUMBER]"
14[CASE NUMBER]2 Thus,learnedcounselforthepetitionersubmittedthattheaction takenbytheStateGovernmentoftransferringtheinvestigationofFIR being [CASE NUMBER][CASE NUMBER]I35of2014registeredwithD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]PoliceStation,Surat bequashedandsetaside[CASE NUMBER]
15[CASE NUMBER] On the other hand, learned Additional Advocate General Shri [ENTITY] appearing on behalf of the respondents submitted that on 11[CASE NUMBER]02[CASE NUMBER]2014, an application was given by the complainant to the Commissioner of Police, Surat[CASE NUMBER] The Commissioner of Police, Surat passedanorderdated11[CASE NUMBER]02[CASE NUMBER]2014bywhichtheJointCommissionerof Police(Crime)wasdirectedtoinquireintothesaidapplicationandtake necessaryactionandsubmithisreport[CASE NUMBER]Onthenextday,theofficeofthe CommissionerofPolicesentthesaidapplicationtoJointCommissioner ofPolice(Crime)[CASE NUMBER]On13[CASE NUMBER]02[CASE NUMBER]2014,JointCommissionerofPolice(Crime) sentthesaidapplicationtoPoliceInspectorofDetectiveCrimeBranch (DCB)anddirectedhimtogivereportwithin10days[CASE NUMBER]On21[CASE NUMBER]03[CASE NUMBER]2014, Police Inspector of DCB gave the said inquiry to P[CASE NUMBER]S[CASE NUMBER]I[CASE NUMBER] Shri [ENTITY] of D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] On 12[CASE NUMBER]06[CASE NUMBER]2014, said officer submitted the report to Police Inspector and suggested to file FIR against three persons viz[CASE NUMBER] (1) [ENTITY], (2) [ENTITY] and (3) [ENTITY] of the concernedvillage[CASE NUMBER]However,thereafter,ithascometotheknowledge thatalltheaforesaidpersonsagainstwhomFIRwastobelodgedhad diedlongback[CASE NUMBER][ENTITY],PoliceInspectorofD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER]agreed with the report submitted by the Police SubInspector and sent it to D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]P[CASE NUMBER]Crime[CASE NUMBER]On14[CASE NUMBER]02[CASE NUMBER]2014,D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]P[CASE NUMBER]Crimeagreedwiththereportsent byP[CASE NUMBER]I[CASE NUMBER]withfurtherremarksthatpermissionofappropriateauthoritybe takenbeforethe[ENTITY]ofthevillageisshownasanaccusedintheFIRin view of the Government Circular dated 23[CASE NUMBER]05[CASE NUMBER]2014[CASE NUMBER] The Joint CommissionerofPolice(Crime)sentthereporttotheCommissionerof Policeon01[CASE NUMBER]07[CASE NUMBER]2014[CASE NUMBER]HestatedthatopinionoftheS[CASE NUMBER]I[CASE NUMBER]T[CASE NUMBER]beobtained forfilingthecomplaint/FIRagainstthe[ENTITY]ofthevillageinviewof the Government Circular[CASE NUMBER] On 17[CASE NUMBER]07[CASE NUMBER]2014, Police Inspector Shri S[CASE NUMBER]A[CASE NUMBER]ZabhaputupanoteforconsiderationforCommissionerofPolice and on the very same day Commissioner of Police put a note for a meeting with the officer[CASE NUMBER] The said meeting had taken place on 23[CASE NUMBER]07[CASE NUMBER]2014 between the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) in which it was decided that police should file the FIR as the first informant instead of the applicant - complainant[CASE NUMBER]TheofficeoftheCommissionerofPolicepassedtheorder directingtheJointCommissionerofPolice(Crime)tofileF[CASE NUMBER]I[CASE NUMBER]R[CASE NUMBER]showing the applicant - complainant also as an accused[CASE NUMBER] This was the oral instructionofthesaidofficer[CASE NUMBER]On28[CASE NUMBER]07[CASE NUMBER]2014,theDeputyCommissioner ofPolice(Crime),sentalettertotheCommissionerofPolice,Surat,that no offence seems to have been committed by the applicant - complainant[CASE NUMBER]Itwasstatedthatthecomplainanthasplacedthecorrect details of the legal heirs (pedhinama)[CASE NUMBER] Therefore, she should not be shownastheaccused[CASE NUMBER]On01[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014,theCommissionerofPolice,Surat agreedwiththeopinionofthe DeputyCommissionerofPolice,Surat and therefore the Commissioner of Police, Surat directed the Deputy CommissionerofPolice(Crime)toregistertheFIRonthebasisofthe applicationgivenbytheapplicant/complainant[CASE NUMBER]On02[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014,P[CASE NUMBER]I[CASE NUMBER]of D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] (Crime) recorded the FIR of [ENTITY] and the same was registeredas[CASE NUMBER][CASE NUMBER]35/2014[CASE NUMBER]InthesaidFIR,8personswereshownas accusedonthebasisoftheversiongivenbythecomplainant[CASE NUMBER]
15[CASE NUMBER]1[CASE NUMBER] Learned Additional Advocate General thereafter submitted that the originalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8-ManojParshottumbhaiMovaliyamadea detailed representation to the Home Department, State of Gujarat, whereinhehadpointedoutthatfalseFIRisregisteredagainsthimand hasalsoshownapprehensionthatthesaidFIRisfiledagainsthimwitha view to harass him in connection with the civil litigation pending betweentheparties[CASE NUMBER]He,therefore,requestedthattheinvestigationof the said FIR be transferred to any independent agency[CASE NUMBER] The State Governmentconsideredtherepresentationmadebytheoriginalaccused No[CASE NUMBER]8anddecidedtotransfertheinvestigationoftheaforesaidFIRto CID (Crime) by order dated 05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014[CASE NUMBER] The learned Additional Advocate General further submitted that the Government has power undertheRulesofBusinesstotransfertheinvestigationtoCID(Crime) inpublicinterestandthereforethedecisionwastakenon05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014to transfer the investigation to CID (Crime)[CASE NUMBER] The learned Additional Advocate General has submitted that State Governmenthas exercised the powers in public interest[CASE NUMBER] Therefore, such decision is within the jurisdiction of the concerned department[CASE NUMBER] Hence, no interference is required[CASE NUMBER]
16[CASE NUMBER] Learned Senior Counsel Shri [ENTITY] appearing for the original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8 at whose instance the State Government has transferredtheinvestigationtoCID(Crime),hasmainlysubmittedthat theFIRwhichisfiledbytheoriginalcomplainantisnothingbutgross abuseofprocessoftheCourtandthereforetheoriginalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8 hasalreadypreferredapetitionbeforethisCourtwhichispending[CASE NUMBER]He furthersubmittedthatthreereportswerefiledbytheofficersinfavour of the accused, in spite of that, the Commission of Police, Surathad giveninstructiontotheD[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]P[CASE NUMBER]tolodgetheFIR[CASE NUMBER]Thecomplainanthas selectedtheinvestigatingagency[CASE NUMBER]TheFIRisnotregisteredbeforethe localpolicestationbutwithobliquemotivethesameisregisteredwith DCB (Crime) and therefore the original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8 made a representationtotheStateGovernmentfortransferofinvestigationto anyindependentagency[CASE NUMBER]TheStateGovernmenthasthereforetakenthe decision by which the investigation of the aforesaid FIR has been transferred to independent agency like CID (Crime)[CASE NUMBER] Therefore, the present petition filed by the original complainant challenging the decisionoftheStateGovernmentbedismissed[CASE NUMBER]
17[CASE NUMBER] I have considered the arguments canvassed by the learned advocates for the parties[CASE NUMBER] I have also gone through the documents producedonrecordaswellastheoriginalfiles[CASE NUMBER]Atthetimeofhearingof thispetition,thisCourtinquiredfromthelearnedAdditionalAdvocate GeneralthatinhowmanycasestheStateGovernmenthasexercisedthe powersundertheRulesofBusinessduringlastoneyear,wherebythe investigation has beentransferredtoCID(Crime)onthe basisofthe application given by the accused[CASE NUMBER] The Deputy Secretary of Home Department,therefore,filedanaffidavitdated24[CASE NUMBER]04[CASE NUMBER]2015[CASE NUMBER]Alongwith thesaidaffidavitthedetailsofthecaseswhichweretransferredtoCID (Crime)bytheStateGovernmentaresuppliedfortheperiodbetween January2014toApril2015[CASE NUMBER]Fromthesaiddetailssuppliedalongwith thesaidaffidavit,itemergesthatintotalthreecasestheinvestigation hasbeentransferredtoCID(Crime)onthebasisoftheapplicationgiven bytheaccusedandoutofthreecases,intwocasestheinvestigationhas beentransferredbecauseoftheorderpassedbytheCourtandonlyin onecasetheHomeDepartmenthasonitsownexercisedthepowersand transferredtheinvestigationtoCID(Crime)[CASE NUMBER]Thus,itisclearfromthe detailssuppliedwiththeaffidavitthatthepresentoneistheonlycasein which the State Government has transferred the investigation to CID (Crime)onthebasisoftherepresentationmadebyoneoftheaccused andthattooontheverysamedaytherepresentationwasprocessedand thedecisionwastakentotransfertheinvestigation[CASE NUMBER]Theentireprocess wasoverontheverydayi[CASE NUMBER]e[CASE NUMBER]on05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014[CASE NUMBER]Itisclearfromtherecord thattheFIRwasregisteredonlyon02[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014beforeDCB,Suratand within a period of only three days such decision of transferring the investigation was taken[CASE NUMBER] Apart from that, from the affidavit dated 29[CASE NUMBER]09[CASE NUMBER]2014 filed by the Deputy Secretary, Home Department, Government of Gujarat, it emerges that such decision was taken in public interest[CASE NUMBER] However, this Court fails to see involvement of any public interest in the present case since both the parties i[CASE NUMBER]e[CASE NUMBER] the complainantandtheaccusedareprivatepartiesandnopublicinterestis involved in transferring investigation[CASE NUMBER] Moreover, as per the representationoftheoriginalcomplainantNo[CASE NUMBER]8ifthecomplainanthas filedafalseFIRagainsthimwithaviewtopressurizehiminsettlingthe civildispute,theoriginalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8cancertainlyfileanapplication forquashingandsettingasidethesaidFIRonvariousgrounds[CASE NUMBER]Fromthe record andfromthe submissions of the leanedcounsel appearing for original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8, it is further clear that such application for quashing and setting aside the FIR is already filed by the original accused No[CASE NUMBER]8[CASE NUMBER] Thus, though the State Government is empowered to transfertheinvestigationtoCID(Crime)aspertheRulesofBusiness,in thefactsofthepresentcase,suchpowersarenotvalidlyexercisedbythe State Government since the learned Additional Advocate General has failedtodemonstrateinvolvementofanypublicinterestinthepresent case[CASE NUMBER]
18[CASE NUMBER] Inviewoftheaforesaiddiscussion,thispetitionisallowed[CASE NUMBER]The decision dated 05[CASE NUMBER]08[CASE NUMBER]2014 taken by the Home Department, State of Gujarat, of transferring the investigation of FIR being [CASE NUMBER] registered with D[CASE NUMBER]C[CASE NUMBER]B[CASE NUMBER] Police Station, Surat to CID (Crime), is herebyquashedandsetaside[CASE NUMBER]
([ENTITY],J[CASE NUMBER]) [ENTITY] AftertheorderispronouncedbythisCourt,learnedadvocateMr[CASE NUMBER] PravinGondaliyaappearingfororiginalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8requestedthatthis orderbestayedforaperiodoffourweeks[CASE NUMBER]However,lookingtothefacts andcircumstancesofthepresentcase,Iamnotinclinedtoacceptthe requestmadebythelearnedadvocatefororiginalaccusedNo[CASE NUMBER]8[CASE NUMBER]Hence, hisrequestisrejected[CASE NUMBER]
([ENTITY],J[CASE NUMBER])