KRISHNA BHAT Vs. KESHAVA BHAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The revision petitioner filed LA. 623 of 1989 in O.S. 26 of 1987 before the Sub Court, Kasaragod for initiating action against the respondent under S.340 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Sub Judge dismissed the application and hence the civil revision petition.

(2.) The preliminary objection to the revision petition is that it is not maintainable.

(3.) Chap.26 of the Code of Criminal Procedure deals with the provisions as to offences affecting administration of justice. S.340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is intended to be complementary to S.195. S.195 is ah exception to the general rule that any person having knowledge of the commission of an offence can set the law in motion by a complaint even if he is not interested in or affected by the offence. This Section bars cognizance being taken of the offences mentioned therein except where there is a complaint in writing by the Court or by the public servant. Chief object of the section is to put a stop to reckless prosecution by private persons. S.340 removes the bar by conferring jurisdiction on the Court to file the complaint. The Section provides the procedure to be followed in the case of complaints by Courts in respect of offences mentioned under S.195(l)(b). The responsibility to launch a prosecution rests upon the Court. The Court is not expected to launch a prosecution merely for the asking by a party. The Court has necessarily to consider whether it is expedient in the interests of justice to launch the prosecution. The Court will not be a party to launch prosecution merely for private vendetta. When the Court orders prosecution it must do so in the larger interests of justice and not to gratify the demand of a private party bent upon revenge against his opponent.