NANKU MAHTO Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS application has been filed for quashing of the entire criminal proceeding of U.C. Case no.22 of 1999 including the order dated 18.3.1999 whereby and whereunder the then Sub -divisional Judicial Magistrate, Chatra took cognizance of the offence punishable under Section 33 of the Indian Forest Act against the petitioners. The case of the prosecution as it appears from the prosecution report is that these four petitioners were found to have indulged themselves in digging the earth over Plot no.1189, appertaining to Khata no.75 situated at village Bakchumba, P.S Chatra, District -Chatra and thereby they had encroached the land which had been declared protected forest by virtue of notification issued in the year 1955 and thereby the petitioners have been alleged to have committed offence under Section 33 of the Indian Forest Act.

(2.) ON submission of the prosecution report, cognizance of the offence was taken under Section 33 of the Indian Forest Act against the petitioners vide order dated 18.3.1999 which is under challenge. Mr.B.K.Dubey, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are the lawful owner of the land in question over which they have got valid right, title and interest and that they are in physical possession over the land since long and even their names have been mutated in the revenue records and have been making payment of rent of the land to the State whereas Department of Forest has absolutely got no concern over the land in question, still the proceeding was initiated at the instance of the Forest Department under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure which was decided in favour of the petitioners and that more or less on the same allegation, one more case had been lodged in which petitioners were acquitted after full fledged trial when the court did find rightful possession of the petitioners over the land in question.

(3.) IT was further submitted that one encroachment case had also been initiated against the petitioners at the instance of the Forest Department which was decided against the petitioners by the original court. That order was challenged before the appellate authority but that appeal got dismissed and as against that the petitioners filed writ application, bearing W.P.(C ) No.2020 of 2005 which has been admitted and an order has been passed for maintaining status quo and thus, there appears to be abuse of the process of the court and hence, the instant application is fit to be quashed.