Source: https://mynation.net/docs/6370-2013/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 22:14:46+00:00

Document:
State of Gujarat and Ors.
3. The applicant herein was serving as a Principal of a College by name Ambaji Arts College at Ambaji. In the year 2009, the respondent No. 2 herein lodged a First Information Report with the Ambaji Police Station, District: Banaskantha bearing C.R. No. I-101 of 2009 for the offence punishable under Section 409, 420, 466, 477(A) and 120-B of the IPC.
4. The FIR was lodged on 01.10.2009. The offence as alleged is said to have been committed during the period between 29.06.2007 and 23.10.2008. The investigation of the said FIR culminated in filing of the charge-sheet dated 11.06.2010. The case of the prosecution is that the applicant herein by abusing his position as the Principal of the college hatched a conspiracy and committed criminal misappropriation.
5. It appears that thereafter on 26th November, 2009 one another FIR came to be registered against the applicant and other co-accused with the Ambaji Police Station for the offence punishable under Section 13(1)(C) (D) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Sections 406, 409, 467, 477(A), 204 and 120-B of the IPC. This FIR was registered for the offence alleged to have been committed during the period between 2003 and 2009. The investigation culminated in the filing of the charge-sheet and the filing of the charge-sheet culminated in the Sessions Case No. 10 of 2010.
6. This application has been preferred with a prayer that the charge-sheet which came to be filed in connection with C.R. No. I-131 of 2009 should have been treated as a supplementary charge-sheet in connection with the FIR being C.R. No. I-101 of 209. To put in other words the case of the applicant appears to be that there cannot be two prosecutions for the offences alleged to have been committed in the course of one transaction over a period of time.
The petitioner was serving as Principal of Ambaji Arts College run by Shree Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust (for short ‘the Trust’). The Trust is running Ambaji Arts and Commerce College, BCA College, etc. Ambaji Arts and Commerce college (for short ‘the College’) is also affiliated to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University.
Various courses are run by the College and the College is also receiving grant from Dr. BabasahedAmbedkar Open University for running various course.
The grant received from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University was deposited in the bank accounts of the College maintained at SBI and/or Dena Bank.
The petitioner opened bank account No. 230056704533 on 23.06.2009 in SBI, Ambaji Branch. Before opening the account, no permission/approval of the Trust was taken by the petitioner.
The Bank account was operated single handedly without the joint signature of the administrator of the Trust. There are various other bank accounts in SBI as well as Bank of Baroda of the Trust which are operated by joint signature of petitioner (being Principal ) and administrator of the Trust.
During the period between 2003 to 2009, when the petitioner was serving as Principal of Ambaji Arts College opened five bogus accounts. Four bogus accounts were opened in Bank of Baroda, Ambaji and and bogus account in Dena Bank, Ambaji. The petitioner has misappropriate an amount of Rs. 2,18,56,000/- as per chart shown below.
For misappropriating the amount, the petitioner has created forged documents and opened bogus accounts.
The petitioner has opened bogus accounts to deposit the scholarship amount which was received from the Government as grant.
Upon verification, it is found that no such amount of scholarship has been received by the students. It is also found that with a view to make big list of students, the petitioner has included the names of students who had studied in the college in past.
The trust was not aware about the opening of aforesaid bogus bank accounts.
(ii) both the FIRs arose from different transactions.
(iii) Both the set of offences were not committed during the course of same transaction.
(iv) There is misappropriation of grant received from Dr. Ambedkar Open University in the FIR being C.R. No. I-101/2009, whereas in FIR being C.R. No. I-131/2009 (impugned FIR), there is misappropriation of grant given by Government towards scholarship of students.
Therefore, it cannot be said that the impugned FIR is second FIR and arises from same transaction. Therefore, the present petition on this ground alone may kindly be dismissed.
B. Petitioner has not approached this Hon’ble Court with clean hands.
The impugned FIR is of the year 2009. Charge sheet is filed in February 2010. The trial has begun long back. Evidence is led by parties. The process of examining the witnesses has started. Therefore, it is clear that after almost 4 years of filing of the FIR, the petitioner has filed the present petition for quashing of the impugned FIR.
Looking to gravity and different kind of charges and other factors, there is possibility of serious/capital punishment. There are also chances of conviction for the charges under the PC Act over and above the charges under IPC. If both the FIRs are clubbed, serious prejudice is likely to be caused to the complainant.
As per the provisions of Criminal Procedure Code, offences of same kind can be charged together only when the offences have occurred within a year. In the present case, the offence of C.R. No. I-101/2009 is committed during the period between 29.06.2007 and 23.10.2008, whereas the offence of C.R. No. I-131/2009 is committed during the period between 2003 to 2009. Thus, both the offences cannot be charged together.
As per the settled position of law, rival version in respect of same incident do take different shapes and in that event, lodgment of two FIRs is permissible. Counter FIR in respect of same or connected incident is permissible. Merely because the complainant lodged FIR against certain persons alleging fabrication of document and forgery, that would not debar other aggrieved persons from subsequently seeking Magistrate’s direction under Sec. 156(#) for registration of FIR against some others including complainant relating to counter allegations. Subsequent counter FIR registered pursuant to Magistrate’s direction u/s. 156(3)-Hence, not liable to be quashed.
8. Mr. Tolia, the learned counsel appearing for the applicant vehemently submitted that the second FIR for the same offence committed in the course of one transaction was not maintainable. According to Mr. Tolia, if the charge framed discloses one single conspiracy, although spread over several years and there is only one object of the conspiracy, and that is to misappropriate, the funds of the institution, then the several incidents of cheating in pursuance of conspiracy would not get splitted up into several conspiracies. Mr. Tolia, pointed out that the trial arising from the C.R. No. I-101 of 2009 was going on before the learned Magistrate. However, on an application filed by the prosecution the same came to be transferred to the Court of the learned Sessions Judge as the learned Sessions Judge was conducting the trial arising from the C.R. No. I-131 of 2009.
1. Cr.P.C.-Sec. 154, 156, 157, 162, 169, 170, 173(2), 173(8).
II. Cr.P.C.-Sec. 221 and 300(2).
i. As per the above provisions, the second FIR for the same offence or different offences committed in the course of the transaction disclosed in the FIR is prohibited.
ii. As per allegations, the sole object of the conspiracy of the present petitioner was to cheat the college and siphon off the funds either in pursuance to the allegations leveled in first FIR or in Second FIR. Thus, the different sets of facts (i.e. stated in first prosecution and second prosecution) are in furtherance of that very criminal intention and cannot be separated and thus, “same offence”.
iv. Throughout it is the case of the prosecution in first FIR that the offence therein is not limited to what is stated in the first FIR but also extends to the transactions of five bogus accounts, huge funds including scholarship, government grant/s, etc. i.e. what is the crux of second FIR/prosecution.
v. Further, criminal case in pursuance to first FIR was pending before Ld. Magistrate. However, the prosecution submitted an application to transfer the same to the Court of Ld. Sessions Judge as the second prosecution (arising out the same transaction) is pending before that Court. Thus, the prosecution believes both the prosecutions as connected with each other. Further, both the prosecutions are undisputedly not the cross-case/version.
a. Special Auditor was appointed viz. Vik H.P. Singh and Co., Chartered Accountant in pursuance to first FIR.
b. Audit report dated 10.10.2009 submitted to the Chairman of the Trust refers to details of all 6 bank accounts allegedly opened in clandestine manner. One account (No. 30056704533) is (at item No. 6 in report) subject matter of first FIR. Five such accounts are made subject matter of second FIR. Report is produced at AD-2 along with these written submissions.
C. One order is passed by Chairman of the Trust dated 25.11.2009 referring to misuse of 6 above bogus accounts. This is again forming part of both the charge sheet. A copy of order dated 25.11.2009 is produced at AD-3 along with these written submissions. The final report dated 25.09.2009 is also supplied separately as AD-4 along with these written submissions.
d. Majority of the important documents forming part of charge sheet of first FIR are also forming part of charge sheet of second FIR like exchange of reports between trust and special Auditor, reply to certain queries, etc. some such documents are supplied separately as AD-5 along with these written submissions.
e. Further, U/S. 408 of Cr.P.C., the proceedings of first FIR/charge sheet is transferred to the Sessions Court (from the Court of Magistrate) vide order dated 26.04.2011 passed in Cr.M.A. No. 465/2010. Related documents are supplied are supplied as AD-6 Colly to these written submissions.
f. The issue was kept open as to whether to frame charge under the provisions of the PC Act in pursuance to first FIR/Charge sheet. However subsequently, while framing charge afresh (before Magistrate, the charge was framed and trial had proceeded), the Hon’ble Sessions Judge has also framed/added charge under the same provisions of PC Act as in second FIR/charge sheet. Copy of charge framed in both the FIR’s/Charge sheets are supplied as AD-7 Colly. Therefore, the sessions Judge has prima facie believed sameness of offence alleged committed in the course of same transaction disclosed in both the FIRs.
g. Both the policy report/charge sheet is based on the single conspiracy of the petitioner as alleged. The execution of the said conspiracy is through above referred/reported six bogus accounts, thus, again second report is nothing else but the same offence disclosed in first FIR. Even if the set of facts of the second FIR is considered as different offence, then also, it is committed in the course of transaction disclosed in the first FIR. Thus, second FIR is in fact further investigation of first FIR and at the best, it can be said to be supplementary charge sheet.
a. As it is prayed, second prosecution is required to be clubbed with the first prosecution and it is not prayed to quash the same. (prayer 7(A).
b. As against this, petitioner has already suffered the consequences of detention for more than a period of three years in first FIR only because of the prosecution’s case of it being a larger conspiracy including the set of facts/offences of second FIR.
Thus, the test is not the different offence but, is “same facts”. In criminal jurisprudence, same facts should be taken as criminal mind set giving rise to offence/s.
“Section 221: Where it is doubtful what offence has been committed.
(2) If in such a case the accused is charged with one offence, and it appears in evidence that he committed a different offence for which he might have been charged under the provisions of sub-section (1), he may be convicted of the offence which he is shown to have committed, although he was not charged with it”.
d. Thus, conjoint reading of Sec. 300(1) with Sec. 221(2) supports the submission of petitioner.
7. On behalf of the appellant Abu Bucker it was contended that there has been misjoinder of charges on the ground that several conspiracies, distinct from each other, had been lumped together and tried at one trial. The advocate for Swaminrathnam, however, did not put forward this submission. We have examined the charge carefully and find no ground for accepting the contention raised. The charge as framed, discloses one single conspiracy, although spread over several years. There was only one object of the conspiracy and that was to cheat members of the public. The fact that in the course of years others joined the conspiracy or that several incidents of cheating took place in pursuance of the conspiracy did not change the conspiracy and did not split up a single conspiracy into several conspiracies. It was suggested that although the modus operandi may have been the same, the several instances of cheating were not part of the same transaction. Reliance was placed on the cast of sharpurji sorabji vs. Emperor, and on the cast of Choragudi Venkatadari, In re, ILR 33 Mad 502. These cases are not in point. In the Bombay case no charge of conspiracy had been framed and the decision in the Madras case was given before sec. 120B, was introduced into the Indian Penal Code. In the present case, the instances of cheating were in pursuance of the conspiracy and were therefore parts of the same transaction.
11. In such circumstances referred to above Mr. Tolia prays that this Court may direct the learned Sessions Judge to club both the cases and start recording common evidence.
“(i) MANU/SC/0131/2013 : (2013) 5 SCC 148 Surender Kaushik & Ors. v. State of UP & Ors.
(ii) MANU/SC/0781/2001 : AIR 2002 SC 441 (1) Kari Chaudhary Vs. Most. Sita Devi & Ors.
(iii) MANU/SC/2289/2006 : AIR 2006 SC 915 Rameshchandra Nandlal Parikh v. State of Gujarat & Anor.
(vi) MANU/SC/8189/2008 : AIR 2009 SC 984 (Head Note-E) Nirmal Singh Kahlon v. State of Punjab & Ors.
(vii) MANU/SC/0088/1984 : AIR 1985 SC 404 Harjinder Singh V. State of Punjab & Ors.
14. Mr. Mitesh Amin, the learned APP appearing for the State also opposed this application and submitted that the applicant is not entitled to the grant of the relief as prayed for. The trial in both the cases has commenced. The Court has started examining witnesses in both the cases. The application on hand is of the year 2013. This Court at no point of time granted any relief. In such circumstances, Mr. Amin, the learned PP prays that there being no merit in this application, the same be rejected.
15. Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties and having considered the materials on record, the only question that falls for my consideration is whether the applicant is entitled to the relief as prayed for in this application.
16. The Supreme Court in the case of Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah (supra) has considered at length the law on the subject by making a reference of its earlier decisions on the subject which includes T.T. Antony (supra) as well as Babubhai (supra).
19. The scheme of CrPC is that an officer in charge of a police station has to commence investigation as provided in Section 156 or 157 CrPC on the basis of entry of the first information report, on coming to know of the commission of a cognizable offence. On completion of investigation and on the basis of the evidence collected, he has to form an opinion under Section 169 or 170 CrPC, as the case may be, and forward his report to the Magistrate concerned under Section 173(2) CrPC. However, even after filing such a report, if he comes into possession of further information or material, he need not register a fresh FIR; he is empowered to make further investigation, normally with the leave of the court, and where during further investigation he collects further evidence, oral or documentary, he is obliged to forward the same with one or more further reports; this is the import of sub-section (8) of Section 173 CrPC.
20. From the above discussion it follows that under the scheme of the provisions of Sections 154, 155, 156, 157, 162, 169, 170 and 173 CrPC only the earliest or the first information in regard to the commission of a cognizable offence satisfies the requirements of Section 154 CrPC. Thus there can be no second FIR and consequently there can be no fresh investigation on receipt of every subsequent information in respect of the same cognizable offence or the same occurrence or incident giving rise to one or more cognizable offences. On receipt of information about a cognizable offence or an incident giving rise to a cognizable offence or offences and on entering the FIR in the station house diary, the officer in charge of a police station has to investigate not merely the cognizable offence reported in the FIR but also other connected offences found to have been committed in the course of the same transaction or the same occurrence and file one or more reports as provided in Section 173 CrPC.
27. A just balance between the fundamental rights of the citizens under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution and the expansive power of the police to investigate a cognizable offence has to be struck by the court. There cannot be any controversy that sub-section (8) of Section 173 CrPC empowers the police to make further investigation, obtain further evidence (both oral and documentary) and forward a further report or reports to the Magistrate. In Narang case it was, however, observed that it would be appropriate to conduct further investigation with the permission of the court. However, the sweeping power of investigation does not warrant subjecting a citizen each time to fresh investigation by the police in respect of the same incident, giving rise to one or more cognizable offences, consequent upon filing of successive FIRs whether before or after filing the final report under Section 173(2) CrPC. It would clearly be beyond the purview of Sections 154 and 156 CrPC, nay, a case of abuse of the statutory power of investigation in a given case. In our view a case of fresh investigation based on the second or successive FIRs, not being a counter-case, filed in connection with the same or connected cognizable offence alleged to have been committed in the course of the same transaction and in respect of which pursuant to the first FIR either investigation is under way or final report under Section 173(2) has been forwarded to the Magistrate, may be a fit case for exercise of power under Section 482 CrPC or under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution. The above referred declaration of law by this Court has never been diluted in any subsequent judicial pronouncements even while carving out exceptions.
4. C. Muniappan vs. State of Tamil Nadu MANU/SC/0655/2010 : (2010) 9 SCC 567.
(iii) Tulsiram Prajapati was allegedly kept under the control of accused police officers, as a part of the same conspiracy, till the time he was allegedly killed in a fake encounter. In view of the factual situation as projected by the CBI itself, the ratio laid down by this Court in C. Muniappan (supra), viz., merely because two separate complaints had been lodged did not mean that they could not be clubbed together and one chargesheet could not be filed [See T.T. Anthony (supra)].
36. In Babulal (supra), the Privy Council has held that if several persons conspire to commit offences, and commit overt acts in pursuance of the conspiracy (a circumstance which makes the act of one the act of each and all the conspirators), these acts are committed in the course of the same transaction, which embraces the conspiracy and the acts done under it. The common concert and agreement which constitute the conspiracy, serve to unify the acts done in pursuance of it.
7. On behalf of the appellant Abu Bucker it was contended that there has been misjoinder of charges on the ground that several conspiracies, distinct from each other, had been lumped together and tried at one trial. The Advocate for Swamirathnam, however, did not put forward this submission. We have examined the charge carefully and find no ground for accepting the contention raised. The charge as framed, discloses one single conspiracy, although spread over several years. There was only one object of the conspiracy and that was to cheat members of the public. The fact that in the course of years others joined the conspiracy or that several incidents of cheating took place in pursuance of the conspiracy did not change the conspiracy and did not split up a single conspiracy into several conspiracies. It was suggested that although the modus operandi may have been the same, the several instances of cheating were not part of the same transaction. Reliance was placed on the cast of Sharpurji Sorabji v. Emperor, MANU/MH/0095/1935 : AIR 1936 Bom 154 (A) and on the cast of Choragudi Venkatadari, In re. ILR 33 Mad 502 (B). These cases are not in point.
In the Bombay case, no charge of conspiracy had been framed and the decision in the Madras case was given before Section 120-B was introduced into the Indian Penal Code. In the present case, the instances of cheating were in pursuance of the conspiracy and were therefore parts of the same transaction.
38. In Kandimalla Subbaiah (supra), this Court held where the alleged offence have been committed in the course of the same transaction, the limitation placed by Section 234(1) cannot operate.
28. The decision of the Allahabad High Court in T.B. Mukherji case directly in point and is clearly to the effect that the different clauses of Section 239 are mutually exclusive in the sense that it is not possible to combine the provisions of two or more clauses in any one case and to try jointly several persons partly by applying the provisions of one clause and partly by applying those of another or other clauses. A large number of decisions of the different High Courts and one of the Privy Council have been considered in this case. No doubt, as has been rightly pointed out in this case, separate trial is the normal rule and joint trial is an exception. But while this principle is easy to appreciate and follow where one person alone is the accused and the interaction or intervention of the acts of more persons than one does not come in, it would where the same act is committed by several persons, be not only inconvenient but injudicious to try all the several parsons separately. This would lead to unnecessary multiplicity of trials involving avoidable inconvenience to the witnesses and avoidable expenditure of public time and money. No corresponding advantage can be gained by the accused persons by following the procedure of separate trials. Where, however, several offences are alleged to have been committed by several accused persons it may be more reasonable to follow the normal rule of separate trials. But here, again, if those offences are alleged not to be wholly unconnected but as forming part of the same transaction the only consideration that will justify separate trials would be the embarrassment or difficulty caused to the accused persons in defending themselves. We entirely agree with the High Court that joint trial should be founded on some principle. &.
42. In the case of Babubhai (supra), the very same Bench considered the permissibility of more than one FIR and the test of sameness. After explaining FIR under Section 154 of the Code, commencement of the investigation, formation of opinion under Sections 169 or 170 of the Code, police report under Section 173 of the Code and statements under Section 162 of the Code, this Court, has held that the Court has to examine the facts and circumstances giving rise to both the FIRs and the test of sameness is to applied to find out whether both the FIRs relate \to the same incident in respect of the same occurrence or are held that if the answer is in affirmative, the second FIR is liable to be quashed. It was further held that in case the contrary is proved, where the version in the second FIR is different and is in respect of the two different incidents/crimes, the second FIR is permissible. This Court further explained that in case in respect of the same incident the accused in the first FIR comes forward with a different version or counterclaim, investigation on both the FIRs has to be conducted. It is clear from the decision that if two FIRs pertain to two different incidents/crimes, second FIR is permissible. In the light of the factual position in the case on hand, the ratio in that decision is not helpful to the case of the CBI.
13. For apposite appreciation of the issue raised, it is necessitous to refer to certain authorities which would throw significant light under what circumstances entertainment of second FIR is prohibited. In Ram Lal Narang (supra), this Court was dealing with the facts and circumstances of a case where two FIRs were lodged and two charge-sheets were filed. The Bench took note of the fact that the conspiracy which was the subject-matter of the second case could not be said to be identical with the conspiracy which was the subject-matter of the first one and further the conspirators were different, although the conspiracy which was the subject-matter of the first case may, perhaps, be said to have turned out to be a part of the conspiracy which was the subject-matter of the second case. After adverting to the various facets, it has been opined that occasions may arise when a second investigation started independently of the first may disclose wide range of offences including those covered by the first investigation. Being of this view, the Court did not find any flaw in the investigation on the basis of the subsequent FIR.
14. In T.T. Antony (supra), it was canvassed on behalf of the accused that the registration of fresh information in respect of the very same incident as an FIR under Section 154 of the Code was not valid and, therefore, all steps taken pursuant thereto including investigation were illegal and liable to be quashed. The Bench, analyzing the scheme of the provisions of Sections 154, 155, 156, 157, 162, 169, 170 and 173 of the Code, came to hold that only the earliest or the first information in regard to the commission of a cognizable offence satisfies the requirements of Section 154 of the Code and, therefore, there can be no second FIR and consequently, there can be no fresh investigation on receipt of every subsequent information in respect of the same cognizable offence or the same occurrence or incident giving rise to one or more cognizable offences. It was further observed that on receipt of information about a cognizable offence or an incident giving rise to a cognizable offence or offences and on entering the FIR in the station house diary, the officer in charge of a police station has to investigate not merely the cognizable offence reported in the FIR but also other connected offences found to have been committed in the course of the same transaction or the same occurrence and file one or more reports as provided in Section 173 of the Code.
11. This observation of the Supreme Court in the said case of T.T. Antony is understood by the learned counsel for the respondents as the Code prohibiting the filing of a second complaint arising from the same incident. It is on that basis and relying on the said judgment in T.T. Antony case an argument is addressed before us that once an FIR is registered on the complaint of one party a second FIR in the nature of a counter-case is not registrable and no investigation based on the said second complaint could be carried out.
Having carefully gone through the above judgment, we do not think that this Court in the said cases of T.T. Antony v. State of Kerala has precluded an aggrieved person from filing a counter-case as in the present case. To arrive at such a conclusion, the Bench referred to paragraph 27 of the decision in T.T. Antony (supra) wherein it has been stated that a case of fresh investigation based on the second or successive FIRs, not being a counter-case, filed in connection with the same or connected cognizable offence alleged to have been committed in the course of the same transaction and in respect of which pursuant to the first FIR either investigation is under way or final report under Section 173(2) has been forwarded to the Magistrate, may be a fit case for exercise of power under Section 482 of the Code or under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution.
In our opinion, this Court in that case only held that any further complaint by the same complainant or others against the same accused, subsequent to the registration of a case, is prohibited under the Code because an investigation in this regard would have already started and further complaint against the same accused will amount to an improvement on the facts mentioned in the original complaint, hence will be prohibited under Section 162 of the Code. This prohibition noticed by this Court, in our opinion, does not apply to counter-complaint by the accused in the first complaint or on his behalf alleging a different version of the said incident.
18. Be it noted, in the said verdict, reference was made to Kari Choudhary v. Sita Devi , wherein it has been opined that there cannot be two FIRs against the same accused in respect of the same case, but when there are rival versions in respect of the same episode, they would normally take the shape of two different FIRs and investigation can be carried out under both of them by the same investigating agency. Reference was made to the pronouncement in State of Bihar v. J.A.C. Saldanha  wherein it has been highlighted that the power of the Magistrate under Section 156(3) of the Code to direct further investigation is clearly an independent power and does not stand in conflict with the power of the State Government as spelt out under Section 3 of the Police Act.
22. A perusal of the judgment of this Court in Ram Lal Narang v. State (Delhi Admn.) also shows that even in cases where a prior complaint is already registered, a counter-complaint is permissible but it goes further and holds that even in cases where a first complaint is registered and investigation initiated, it is possible to file a further complaint by the same complainant based on the material gathered during the course of investigation. Of course, this larger proposition of law laid down in Ram Lal Narang case is not necessary to be relied on by us in the present case. Suffice it to say that the discussion in Ram Lal Narang case is in the same line as found in the judgments in Kari Choudhary and State of Bihar v. J.A.C. Saldanha. However, it must be noticed that in T.T. Antony case, Ram Lal Narang case was noticed but the Court did not express any opinion either way.
20. Explaining further, the Court observed that if the law laid down by this Court in T.T. Antony (supra) is to be accepted to have held that a second complaint in regard to the same incident filed as a counter complaint is prohibited under the Code, such conclusion would lead to serious consequences inasmuch as the real accused can take the first opportunity to lodge a false complaint and get it registered by the jurisdictional police and then that would preclude the victim to lodge a complaint.
21. In Pandurang Chandrakant Mhatre (supra), the Court referred to T.T. Antony (supra), Ramesh Baburao Devaskar v. State of Maharashtra  and Vikram v. State of Maharashtra  and opined that the earliest information in regard to the commission of a cognizable offence is to be treated as the first information report and it sets the criminal law in motion and the investigation commences on that basis. Although the first information report is not expected to be an encyclopaedia of events, yet an information to the police in order to be first information report under Section 154(1) of the Code, must contain some essential and relevant details of the incident. A cryptic information about the commission of a cognizable offence irrespective of the nature and details of such information may not be treated as first information report. After so stating, the Bench posed the question whether the information regarding the incident therein entered into general diary given by PW-5 is the first information report within the meaning of Section 154 of the Code and, if so, it would be hit by Section 162 of the Code. It is worth noting that analyzing the facts, the Court opined that information given to the police to rush to the place of the incident to control the situation need not necessarily amount to an FIR.
22. In Babubhai (supra), this Court, after surveying the earlier decisions, expressed the view that the court has to examine the facts and circumstances giving rise to both the FIRs and the test of sameness is to be applied to find out whether both the FIRs relate to the same incident in respect of the same occurrence or are in regard to the incidents which are two or more parts of the same transaction. If the answer is in the affirmative, the second FIR is liable to be quashed. However, in case the contrary is proved, where the version in the second FIR is different and they are in respect of two different incidents/crimes, the second FIR is permissible. In case the accused in the first FIR comes forward with a different version or counterclaim in respect of the same incident, investigation on both the FIRs has to be conducted.
23. It is worth noting that in the said case, the Court expressed the view that the High Court had correctly reached the conclusion that the second FIR was liable to be quashed as in both the FIRs, the allegations related to the same incident that had occurred at the same place in close proximity of time and, therefore, they were two parts of the same transaction.
24. From the aforesaid decisions, it is quite luminous that the lodgment of two FIRs is not permissible in respect of one and the same incident. The concept of sameness has been given a restricted meaning. It does not encompass filing of a counter FIR relating to the same or connected cognizable offence. What is prohibited is any further complaint by the same complainant and others against the same accused subsequent to the registration of the case under the Code, for an investigation in that regard would have already commenced and allowing registration of further complaint would amount to an improvement of the facts mentioned in the original complaint. As is further made clear by the three-Judge Bench in Upkar Singh (supra), the prohibition does not cover the allegations made by the accused in the first FIR alleging a different version of the same incident. Thus, rival versions in respect of the same incident do take different shapes and in that event, lodgment of two FIRs is permissible.
25. In the case at hand, the appellants lodged the FIR No. 274 of 2012 against four accused persons alleging that they had prepared fake and fraudulent documents. The second FIR came to be registered on the basis of the direction issued by the learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in exercise of power under Section 156(3) of the Code at the instance of another person alleging, inter alia, that he was neither present in the meetings nor had he signed any of the resolutions of the meetings and the accused persons, five in number, including the appellant No. 1 herein, had fabricated documents and filed the same before the competent authority. FIR No. 442 of 2012 (which gave rise to Crime No. 491 of 2012) was registered because of an order passed by the learned Magistrate. Be it noted, the complaint was filed by another member of the Governing Body of the Society and the allegation was that the accused persons, twelve in number, had entered into a conspiracy and prepared forged documents relating to the meetings held on different dates. There was allegation of fabrication of the signatures of the members and filing of forged documents before the Registrar of Societies with the common intention to grab the property/funds of the Society. If the involvement of the number of accused persons and the nature of the allegations are scrutinized, it becomes crystal clear that every FIR has a different spectrum. The allegations made are distinct and separate. It may be regarded as a counter complaint and cannot be stated that an effort has been made to improve the allegations that find place in the first FIR. It is well-nigh impossible to say that the principle of sameness gets attracted. We are inclined to think so, for if the said principle is made applicable to the case at hand and the investigation is scuttled by quashing the FIRs, the complainants in the other two FIRs would be deprived of justice. The appellants have lodged the FIR making the allegations against certain persons, but that does not debar the other aggrieved persons to move the court for direction of registration of an FIR as there have been other accused persons including the complainant in the first FIR involved in the forgery and fabrication of documents and getting benefits from the statutory authority. In the ultimate eventuate, how the trial would commence and be concluded is up to the concerned court. The appellants or any of the other complainants or the accused persons may move the appropriate court for a trial in one court. That is another aspect altogether. But to say that it is a second FIR relating to the same cause of action and the same incident and there is sameness of occurrence and an attempt has been made to improvise the case is not correct. Hence, we conclude and hold that the submission that the FIR lodged by the fourth respondent is a second FIR and is, therefore, liable to be quashed, does not merit acceptance.
23. Be that as it may, if the law laid down by this Court in T.T. Antony case is to be accepted as holding that a second complaint in regard to the same incident filed as a counter-complaint is prohibited under the Code then, in our opinion, such conclusion would lead to serious consequences. This will be clear from the hypothetical example given hereinbelow i.e. if in regard to a crime committed by the real accused he takes the first opportunity to lodge a false complaint and the same is registered by the jurisdictional police then the aggrieved victim of such crime will be precluded from lodging a complaint giving his version of the incident in question, consequently he will be deprived of his legitimated right to bring the real accused to book. This cannot be the purport of the Code.
24. We have already noticed that in T.T. Antony case this Court did not consider the legal right of an aggrieved person to file counterclaim, on the contrary from the observations found in the said judgment it clearly indicates that filing a counter-complaint is permissible.
41. It is not possible to enunciate any formula of universal application for the purpose of determining whether two or more acts constitute the same transaction. Such things are to be gathered from the circumstances of a given case indicating proximity of time, unity or proximity of place, continuity of action, commonality of purpose or design. Where two incidents are of different times with involvement of different persons, there is no commonality and the purpose thereof different and they emerge from different circumstances, it will not be possible for the Court to take a view that they form part of the same transaction and therefore, there could be a common FIR or subsequent FIR could not be permitted to be registered or there could be common trial.
42. Similarly, for several offences to be part of the same transaction, the test which has to be applied is whether they are so related to one another in point of purpose or of cause and effect, or as principal and subsidiary, so as to result in one continuous action. Thus, where there is a commonality of purpose or design, where there is a continuity of action, then all those persons involved can be accused of the same or different offences committed in the course of the same transaction.
The word ‘transaction’ is not intended to be interpreted in any artificial or technical sense; commonsense and ordinary use of language must decide whether on the facts of a particular case, one is concerned with one transaction or several transactions.In order that a series of acts be regarded as the same transaction, they must be connected together in some way as for instance by proximity of time, unity of place, unity or community of purpose or design and continuity of action. Proximity of time and unity of place are not essential though they furnish good evidence of what unites several acts. The main test must really be continuity of action by which is meant the following up of some initial act through all its consequences and incidents until the series of acts or group of connected acts come to an end either by attainment of the object or by being put an end to or abandoned, If any of these things happens and the whole process is begun over again it is not the same transaction but a new one in spite of the fact that the same general purpose may continue. The vinculum juris which interlinks a series of acts so intimately as to form the same transaction is different in each case, It may be proximity of time and place, or continuity of action, or community of purpose and design, or relation of cause and effect, or that of principal and subsidiary.
20. Therefore, it is clear, to constitute same transaction, the series of acts alleged against the accused must be connected together in some way as for instance by proximity of time, unity of place, unity or community of purpose or design and continuity of action and the main test must really be continuity of action by which is meant the following up of some initial act through all its consequences and incidents until the series of acts or group of connected acts come to an end. It is, therefore, necessary to find out whether the offences alleged against the accused could be stated to be one committed during the same transaction.
21. The law recognizes a common trial or a common FIR being registered for one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction as contemplated under Section 220 Cr.P.C. The expression ‘same transaction’, from its very nature, is incapable of exact definition (Anju Chaudhary (supra); Mohan Baitha v. State of Bihar, MANU/SC/0217/2001 : (2001) 4 SCC 350). The distinction between two FIRs relating to the same incident, and two FIRs relating to different incidents or occurrences of the same incident, should be carefully examined (Babubhai v. State of Gujarat, MANU/SC/0643/2010 : (2010) 12 SCC 254). The merits of each case must be considered to determine whether a subsequently registered FIR is a second FIR relating to the same incident or offence or is based upon distinct and different facts and whether its scope of inquiry is entirely different or not. It will not be appropriate for the Court to lay down one straight jacket formula uniformly applicable to all cases. This will always be a mixed question of law and fact depending on the merits of a given case (Anju Chaudhary (supra)). The test, to determine whether two FIRs can be permitted to exist, is whether the two incidents are identical or not (Ram Lal Narang v. State (Delhi Administration), MANU/SC/0216/1979 : (1979) 2 SCC 322).
22. The concept of ‘sameness’ has been given a restricted meaning. In order to examine the impact of one or more FIRs, the Court has to rationalise the facts and circumstances of each case and then apply the test of ‘sameness’ to find out whether both FIRs relate to the same incident and to the same occurrence; and whether they are in regard to incidents which are two or more parts of the same transaction or relate completely to two distinct occurrences. It is only if the second FIR relates to the same cause of action, the same incident, there is sameness of occurrence and an attempt has been made to improvise the case, would the second FIR be liable to be quashed. In cases where every FIR has a different spectrum, and the allegations made are distinct and separate, it may be regarded as a counter complaint, but it cannot be stated that an effort has been made to improve the allegations that find place in the first FIR or that the principle of ‘sameness’ is attracted. (Babubhai (supra); Surendra Kaushik v. State of Uttar Pradesh, MANU/SC/0131/2013 : 2013 Cri.L.J. 1570).
23. Having regard to the facts noted above, I find it extremely difficult at this point of time to take the view that there is commonality in the two FIRs and they emerged from the same set of circumstances. I find it difficult to take the view that they form part of the same transaction and therefore, there could be a common FIR or subsequent FIR could not have been permitted to be registered or there could be a common trial.
24. A close reading of the entire decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah (supra) would reveal that the entire conspiracy to kill a person by name Sohrabuddin, his wife Kausharbi and one Tulsiram Prajapati was covered in the first FIR dated 1st February 2010. The Supreme Court took the view, in light of the factual details, that since the entire larger conspiracy was covered in the first FIR there could not have been a second FIR for the murder of Tulsiram Prajapati. In such circumstances, the Supreme Court finally quashed the second FIR dated 29th April 2011, holding that the killing of Tulsiram Prajapati was a part of the same series of cognizable offence forming part of the first FIR. As a consequence, the charge-sheet which was filed in pursuance of the second FIR was ordered to be treated as supplementary charge-sheet in the first FIR.
25.I find it extremely difficult to accept the vociferous submission canvassed on behalf of the applicant that since the modus operandi remained the same for the purpose of cheating there could not have been more than one FIR. I do not find any element of sameness’. In my view each of the transactions are distinct, thereby constituting distinct offences.
26. So far as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of S. Swaminathan (supra) is concerned the same in my view has no application to the facts of the case. The Supreme Court in the said case having regard to the evidence on record reached to the conclusion that there was a single conspiracy to cheat the members of the public and as the incidents of cheating were in pursuance of one conspiracy and acts formed part of the same transaction. The argument of misjoinder of charges was rejected. I find it difficult in the facts of the case to take the view that the offence of both the FIRs were part of one single conspiracy.
27. The law on the subject emerges to the effect that an FIR under Section 154 Cr.P.C. is a very important document. It is the first information of a cognizable offence recorded by the Officer In-Charge of the Police Station. It sets the machinery of criminal law in motion and marks the commencement of the investigation which ends with the formation of an opinion under Section 169 or 170 Cr.P.C., as the case may be, and forwarding of a police report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. Thus, it is quite possible that more than one piece of information be given to the Police Officer In-charge of the Police Station in respect of the same incident involving one or more than one cognizable offences. In such a case, he need not enter each piece of information in the Diary. All other information given orally or in writing after the commencement of the investigation into the facts mentioned in the First Information Report will be statements falling under Section 162 Cr.P.C.
28. In such a case the court has to examine the facts and circumstances giving rise to both the FIRs and the test of sameness is to be applied to find out whether both the FIRs relate to the same incident in respect of the same occurrence or are in regard to the incidents which are two or more parts of the same transaction. If the answer is in the affirmative, the second FIR is liable to be quashed. However, in case, the contrary is proved, where the version in the second FIR is different and they are in respect of the two different incidents/crimes, the second FIR is permissible. In case in respect of the same incident the accused in the first FIR comes forward with a different version or counter claim, the investigation on both the FIRs has to be conducted. (see Babubhai).
29. A lot was argued on behalf of the applicant as regard Section 300 of the Cr.P.C.
32. The true test by which the question whether such a plea is a sufficient bar in any particular case is whether the evidence necessary to support the second indictment would have been sufficient to procure illegal conviction upon the first. A trial is said to be upon the same facts if the evidence in the first case would have supported a conviction for the offences charged in the second case.It is a settled proposition of law that generally no accused shall be vexed with more than one trial for the offences arising out of the same set of facts.
33. Although the different offences arising out of the different acts may form the subject matter of separate charges in one trial yet that does not mean that the facts or acts are identical. The combined effect of Sections 300(1) and 220(1) of the Cr.P.C. is to lay down that generally no accused shall be vexed with more than one trial for the offences arising out of the same set of facts. Sub-section (2) of Section 300 of Cr.P.C. would enable the Court to hold a second trial in the case of, distinct offence. If the ingredients of the two offences are not the same, though the same facts might have been relied upon in both the cases, thee would be no question of the principle of autrefois acquit and autrefois convict being applicable.
“43. It is true that law recognizes common trial or a common FIR being registered for one series of acts so connected together as to form the same transaction as contemplated under Section 220 of the Code. There cannot be any straight jacket formula, but this question has to be answered on the facts of each case. This Court in the case of Mohan Baitha v. State of Bihar [MANU/SC/0217/2001 : (2001) 4 SCC 350], held that the expression ‘same transaction’ from its very nature is incapable of exact definition. It is not intended to be interpreted in any artificial or technical sense. Common sense in the ordinary use of language must decide whether or not in the very facts of a case, it can be held to be one transaction.
44. It is not possible to enunciate any formula of universal application for the purpose of determining whether two or more acts constitute the same transaction. Such things are to be gathered from the circumstances of a given case indicating proximity of time, unity or proximity of place, continuity of action, commonality of purpose or design. Where two incidents are of different times with involvement of different persons, there is no commonality and the purpose thereof different and they emerge from different circumstances, it will not be possible for the Court to take a view that they form part of the same transaction and therefore, there could be a common FIR or subsequent FIR could not be permitted to be registered or there could be common trial.
“10. It has to be seen that Sessions Case was registered as S.C. No. 537 of 2009 on the file of Assistant Sessions Judge, Adoni in the year 2009. Similarly S.C. No. 63 of 2009 was registered on the file of II-Additional Sessions Judge, Kurnool at Adoni in the year 2009, therefore, it is clear that petitioners herein, know very well about the pendency of these cases since 2009. Admittedly no petition or memo was filed before courts at Adoni i.e., either before II-Additional Sessions Judge, Kurnool at Adoni or before Assistant Sessions Judge, Adoni to club both the cases together for conducting joint trial. It appears that accused never felt it necessary for conducting joint trial.
11. It is clear from proviso to section 219 Cr.P.C. that application from the accused is necessary.
Provided that, for the purpose of this section, an offence punishable under section 379 of the Indian Penal Code [45 of 1860] shall be deemed to be an offence of the same kind as an offence punishable under section 380 of the said Code, and that an offence punishable under any section of the said Code, or of any special or local law, shall be deemed to be an offence of the same kind as an attempt to commit such offence, when such an attempt is an offence.
12.Thus, it is clear that the accused should specifically plead that if separate trial is conducted it may prejudicially affect their interest. Admittedly, no such applications have been filed before lower courts. Therefore, it has to be seen whether the petitioners, at this stage can seek joint trial ? The cause of action, according to the petitioners arose when the learned Sessions Judge, Kurnool passed orders on 28/10/2014. As seen from the correspondence between II-Additional Sessions Judge, Kurnool at Adoni and the learned Sessions Judge, Kurnool, it is clear that the learned Sessions Judge has permitted the II-Additional Sessions Judge to take appropriate decision and proceed with the case in accordance with law. This means the earlier order issued by the Sessions Judge, Kurnool stands withdrawn. The docket orders dated 5/11/2014 to 17/11/2014 are not available.
13. It is not necessary to decide whether the Police Officer who registered Cr. No. 59 of 2008 was justified in registering separate case or not.
14. As and when it appears that any case is to be tried with another case on the ground that evidence may be tried together overlapping in both the cases, it is for the concerned police officers or to the accused to take steps at the initial stage.
37. In the overall view of the matter I have reached to the conclusion that the applicant is not entitled to the relief as prayed for at this point of time. The charge in the case of C.R. No. 101 of 2009 was framed on 24th February, 2012 and the charge in the case of C.R. No. I-131 of 2009 was framed on 9th December, 2011. As noted above, the trial in both the cases has commenced. Many witnesses have been examined so far. Any indulgence at this point of time may result in further confusion and other irregularities.
38. In the result, this application fails and is hereby rejected.
At this stage, Mr. Khandheria, the learned counsel appearing for the applicant makes a request to stay the operation of this judgment and order for a period of eight weeks. According to him, this Court had made it clear that if an application for adjournment is filed, the Trial Court shall consider the same accordingly. As such, there is no interim order passed by this Court. In such circumstances, the request of Mr. Khandheria is not accepted. The Trial Court shall now proceed further with both the cases.
← When second FIR in relation to same offence and against same accused is maintainable?

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 V. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.