MOHESWARI PROSAD SINGH DEO Vs. EMPEROR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This was a Rule calling upon the Deputy Commissioner of Singbhum to show cause way the proceedings described in the application should not be quashed on the ground that thy British Courts had no jurisdiction to take cognizance of retention of stolen articles outside British India. The Deputy Commissioner was further requested to inform this Court whether Panposh or rather the post office building at Panposh ware or were not within British territory.

(2.) It is admitted that the village Panposh is not within British territory excepting a certain portion of it which comprises the premises of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway Co. It is also a admitted that Khar Sawan, the place where the petitioner resides, is beyond British territory the , offence under Section 411, Indian Penal Code, is said to have been commited by the petitioner at Khar Sawan which is beyond British territory. The question, therefore, is whether the petitioner who has not been prosecuted for theft, but for having been found in Khar Sawan in possession of stolen articles, can be tried by the British Courts.

(3.) An explanation has boon submitted by the learned Deputy Commissioner in which he refers to a certain. Government notification in one of the Gazettes of the new Province of Bihar and Orissa by which it is declared that a certain portion of Panposh was made subject to the jurisdiction, of British Courts. It has been contended that the theft having taken place within the post office buildings which are situated within British territory, the offence- under Section 411 should be considered to be an offence which can be tried in British territory although the petitioner was found retaining the property in question at Khar Sawan which is beyond British territory. In support of this view illustration (b) of Section 180, Criminal- Procedure Code, has been relied upon. It is contended that under that section the accused can be tried in a British Court for having been found in possession of the stolen articles at, Khar Sawan which is beyond British territory. But we are of opinion that we cannot extend the operation of the Criminal Procedure Code beyond British territory. Khar Sawan is certainly beyond British territory and British Courts have got no jurisdiction to try the petitioner for an offence under Section 411 committed there with regard to the stolen properties in question.