B K GUPTA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Rule is directed against an order of commitment upon charges under Sections 417, 466, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

(2.) Two points have been taken in support of the Rule. The first concerns the basis of the order of commitment. According to Mr. Banerjee, the evidence concerned does not disclose any of the offences with which his client has been charged. We have examined the relative evidence and are of the view that the order of commitment is not without foundation. At this stage, we are not concerned with the weight or credibility of evidence nor are we concerned with the question whether or not the evidence of the accomplice is corroborated. It is said that the accomplice is dead. At this stage, it is not necessary for us to consider whether the deposition of the dead man will or will not be admissible under Section 33 of the Indian Evidence Act. The first point fails.

(3.) As to the second point, namely, that there has been no compliance with the provisions of Section 155 Cr. P. C., it appears that the order to investigate was sought for and obtained from a learn ed Presidency Magistrate in Calcutta. After investigation, the police submitted a report which the learned Committing Magistrate, an Alipore-Magistrate, regarded as a complaint. It is common case that the offences concerned are triable by an appropriate court within the territorial limits of the district of 24-Parganas. That being the position, the question is whether the order to investigate obtained from a Presidency Magistrate under Sub-section (2) of Section 155 of the Code was a valid order entitling the Alipore Magistrate to take cognizance of the offences concerned. The police report in the case purported to be one under Section 173 Cr. P. C. In our view, the learned Magistrate was wrong in regarding it as a complaint.