High Court Kerala High Court

Kunjan vs State Of Kerala on 7 March, 2007

Kerala High Court
Kunjan vs State Of Kerala on 7 March, 2007
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

Crl Rev Pet No. 4440 of 2006(D)


1. KUNJAN, S/O. CHAMI,
                      ...  Petitioner
2. VIJAYAN, S/O.MURUGAN,

                        Vs



1. STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY THE
                       ...       Respondent

2. M.A. SALAM, THANDANA LAKSHAM VEEDU

                For Petitioner  :SRI.SURIN GEORGE IPE

                For Respondent  :SRI.RENJITH THAMPAN

The Hon'ble MR. Justice K.R.UDAYABHANU

 Dated :07/03/2007

 O R D E R
                            K.R.UDAYABHANU, J.

                         --------------------------------

                            Crl. R. P. 4440 of 2006

                      ------------------------------------

                  Dated this the 7th   day of March, 2007




                                      ORDER

The revision petitioners, against whom the Sub Divisional

Magistrate has issued a prohibitory order, not to obstruct the

pathway, allegedly existing on the northern side of the pond owned

by them, have sought for setting aside the order, on the ground

that the provisions contained in sections 133 to 138 have not been

complied with. It is against the revision petitioners that the

complaint had been filed by the second respondent representing the

residents of the Laksham Veedu Colony situated on the north

eastern side of the pond. The 2nd respondent initiated these

proceedings as a counterblast to the order passed by the Civil

Court, to keep status quo with respect to the work being conducted

to widen the path way on the southern side of the pond. The Sub

Divisional Magistrate, after issuing notice to both sides to explain

their respective case, and after calling for the reports from the

Revenue Officer and Tahasildar, directed the revision petitioners, as

mentioned above. It is the contention of the revision petitioners

that Sub Divisional Magistrate is not specific as to under what

Crl. R. P. 4440 of 2006 2

provision the order has been issued . It is the case of the revision

petitioners that the order can only be in exercise of that power

under Sections 133 to Section 138 Crl.PC . According to the 2nd

respondent it is evident from the order, though the provisions are

not specified, that the order is issued under Section 145, r/w 147

Crl.PC as it is mentioned in the reports of the Tahasildar and Village

Officer as well as in the order of the Sub Divisional Magistrate, the

existence of a likelihood of breach of peace in the locality and tense

situation prevailing.

2. It is the case of the 2nd respondent that it is in

consequence of the mass petition filed by the residents of the

Laksham Veedu Colony, the Sub Divisional Magistrate initiated the

proceedings. The records also show that such a mass petition was

filed complaining against the blocking of pathway. According to

the 2nd respondent the residents of the Laksham Veedu Colony were

using the southern as well as the impugned pathway. But the

use of the southern pathway has become impossible vide, the order

of the Civil Court. According to him, the revision petitioners have

fenced the eastern and western sides of the northern pathway after

obtaining a prohibitory order with respect to the southern pathway.

3. Evidently the order of the Sub Divisional Magistrate

shows that a tense situation is prevailing in the locality. The above

finding is based on the report of Village Officer and the Tahasildar.

Crl. R. P. 4440 of 2006 3

The contention of the revision petitioners is that they have not been

provided with an opportunity to adduce evidence and the Sub

Divisional Magistrate has issued the order solely relying on the

reports of the Village Officer and Tahasildar .

4. I find that the Order of the Sub Divisional Magistrate

did not mention the provision under which he had issued the order.

The contention of the revision petitioners is also that they have not

been given an opportunity to adduce evidence . The same is a

matter that requires consideration.

5. In the circumstances the Order of the Sub Divisional

Magistrate is set aside. The matter is remanded back to the Sub

Divisional Magistrate, to reconsider the matter, affording

opportunities to both sides to adduce evidence. In the meantime,

the revision petitioners are directed not to obstruct pathway till Sub

Divisional Magistrate decides the issue finally. The Sub Divisional

Magistrate shall dispose of the matter at the earliest, at any rate,

within four months from the date of receipt of this order. The

revision petition is disposed of accordingly.

Handover copy of the order.

K.R.UDAYABHANU, JUDGE

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