EMPEROR Vs. SMWAHID ULLAH AHRARI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On the complaint of one Mohammad Istehsan proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1926, were started in this Court against S.M. Wahidullah Ahrari in connection with certain articles published by the latter in a paper at Aligarh while a complaint under Section 500, Indian Penal Code, was pending in the Subordinate Criminal Court at Aligarh. By an order dated 26 October 1934, passed by a Bench of this Court, Walndullah was punished with simple imprisonment for a term of four months. He was also directed to pay the costs of Mohammad Istehsan and the Crown, tnd the costs of Mohammad Istehsan were fixed at Rs. 100 and of the Crown at Rs. 100. In the result Wahidullah was directed to deposit Rs. 200 as costs in this Court within two months.

(2.) The costs were not so deposited within the time allowed by this Court and on 30 April 1935, notice was issued to Wahidullah to show cause why the costs should not be realised as a fine under the provisions of Section 547, Criminal P.C. In reply to the notice it is contended by Mr. Darbari that this Court had no jurisdiction to pass an order for costs and that in no event could such costs be recoverable as a fine under the Criminal P. C.. So far as the first contention is concerned, we are of the opinion that it is open to this Bench to consider the matter. If the order, of the former Bench Court was without jurisdiction, other proceedings ought to have been taken for questioning the order. As it is, we are satisfied that this Court has such jurisdiction. In a number of cases this Court under similar circumstances has directed the person punished under the Contempt of Courts Act to pay the costs of the Crown. The same procedure was followed in the English Courts, and cases to that effect are mentioned by Oswald in his Book on "Contempt," third edition, p. 242.

(3.) The next question that arises is whether Ave have the power to direct the realisation of costs as a fine according to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This question is not without some difficulty, and it is not necessary for us to express an opinion on the point. In any event if we have jurisdiction to direct the payment of costs as indeed we have inherent jurisdiction to order its recovery. We think that the proper method by which these costs should be recovered should be on the lines on which decrees are executed by the Civil Court. We issue a warrant to the Collector of Aligarh authorising him to realise the amount by execution against the moveable or immovable property of Wahidullah.