SURESHBHAI K DESAI Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed against the order of the learned Sessions Judge Valsad at Navsari in Criminal Revision Application No 32 of 1979. Condoning the delay in filing the chargesheet against the petitioner and setting aside the order of the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class Umbergaon in Criminal Case No. 656 of 1978 which was to the effect that as the chargesheet was presented beyond the period of limitation the chargesheet was ordered to be filed and the process issued against the accused was quashed.

(2.) So far as the facts are concerned they are not disputed and averments are made to that effect in this revision petition also. It is a fact that the petitioneraccused for the commission of offences punishable under sec. 66(1)(b) and sec. 85(1) and (2) of the Bombay Prohibition Act 1947 and sec. 110 of the Bombay Police Act 1951 The accused was arrested at about 9.30 p.m. on 17-12-1976 on suspicion of having consumed alcohol. Blood sample was taken on that very day by the Medical Officer who clinically examined him. The blood sample was sent to the Chemical Analyser on 18-12-1976 and as per the averment in the petition as well as in the orders of the learned Sessions Judge and Magistrate it is a fact that the Chemical Analyser sent his report to the concerned police Sub-Inspector on 7-9-1978. and the P.S.I submitted the chargesheet before the Court on 11-9-1978. Initially when the chargesheet was submitted the learned Magistrate called upon the P.S.I. by an order dated 18-9-1978 to show cause as regards the delay in submission of the chargesheet. Thereafter some how or the other there is an endorsement on the chargesheet which is typed to register the same and to issue summons returnable on 20-11-1978 This order was passed on 21-10-1978. After the accused appeared before the Court application Ex. 5 was filed by the accused before the learned Magistrate on 19-2-1979 contending that the cognizance taken against the petitioner accused by way of chargesheet was beyond the period of limitation as provided under sec. 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the Code) and therefore the following two issues should be raised and decided:

(3.) The learned Sessions Judge on consideration of the application and also provisions of sec. 473 of the Code came to the conclusion that the delay should be condoned and provisions of sec. 473 of the Act should be attracted. He therefore set aside the order of the learned Magistrate by allowing the revision petition and directed the learned Magistrate to proceed further with the case from the stage of recording the plea of the accused and to follow the procedure provided for the summary trials and then dispose of the case in accordance with law. Being asgrieved by the said judgment and order of the learned Sessions Judge the petitioner has come to this Court by way of this revision petition.