Citation Codes

Equivalent Citations

citation codes

Case Number

Cr. Ref. 1668 of 1949

Advocates

Brij Mohan Lal Srivastava - for Appct.; Man Singh - D.P. Uniyal
Asst. Govt. Advocate - for the Crown

Judges

Hon'ble Mr. Mushtaz Ahmad
Hon'ble Mr. Chandra Bhan Agarwal

Acts

Section 147, Sub-section (2), Criminal Procedure Code.33.
SECTION 147 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE
Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.2.
Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure
SECTION 145 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE
Clauses 2 and 3 of Section 147
Section 147, Sub-section (2)
Section 145/147, Cr. P.C
Amending Act of 1923.
Sub-section (1).14.

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Smart Summary

Structured Summary of the Provided Opinion

Factual and Procedural Background

Mohammad Hamidullah filed an application alleged to be under Section 145 but in reality treated as under Section 147, Criminal Procedure Code, complaining that Abdul Wahab Khan was constructing a wall across a door of Hamidullah's house that opened into a lane (and across a drain in that lane). Hamidullah claimed he had used the lane for passage through the door for about 20 years and that the opposite party's action would likely cause a breach of the peace. The Magistrate held that the applicant had a right of way and a right for the drain to flow to the municipal drain, and ordered the opposite party to remove the wall within ten days, declared the applicant's rights and forbade interference (with a warning under Section 188 IPC).

The opposite party applied in revision to the Sessions Judge of Allahabad. The Sessions Judge questioned whether Section 147 authorized a magistrate to pass mandatory orders directing removal of a wall and made a reference to this Court with the recommendation that the mandatory portion be quashed. The matter was referred by the Chief Justice to a Bench, which in turn considered that it ought to be heard by a larger Bench. A Full Bench ultimately heard the reference and delivered the opinion provided.

Legal Issues Presented

Whether a Magistrate has jurisdiction under Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to issue a mandatory injunction (i.e., an order directing removal of an obstruction such as a wall) to secure the exercise of a right of user and to prevent a breach of the peace.
Relatedly, whether the change in language (by the Amending Act of 1923) to Section 147(2) — replacing earlier words with “prohibiting any interference with the exercise of such right” — removed any power of the magistrate to order removal of an obstruction.

Arguments of the Parties

Applicant (Mohammad Hamidullah)

Alleged long-standing user of the lane (about 20 years) through his western door and use of a drain in the lane connecting to the municipal drain.
Contended that the opposite party's construction of a wall would block the passage and the drain and was likely to cause a breach of the peace; sought relief under the procedure applicable to Section 147.

Opposite Party (Abdul Wahab Khan)

Contended he was the owner of the lane; denied existence of the drain asserted by the applicant and denied the claimed right of way.
Challenged the mandatory portion of the Magistrate's order when facing revision before the Sessions Judge and ultimately before this Court.

Sessions Judge / Government Advocate

The Sessions Judge expressed the view that Section 147 did not authorize a magistrate to pass a mandatory order directing removal of a wall and therefore recommended quashing the mandatory portion of the Magistrate's order.
The Government Advocate argued that Section 147 allows only negative or prohibitory orders (in the form given by Form No. XXIV) and that no positive order (i.e., explicit mandatory order for removal) can be passed under Section 147.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent	Rule or Principle Cited For	Application by the Court
Kanta Venkanna v. Inuganti Venkata Surya Neeladri Rao	Madras High Court concluded an order directing removal of an obstruction could be passed under Section 147.	Noted as an authority supporting the view that removal orders are competent under Section 147.
Hari Mati Dasi v. Hari Dasi	Expressed the contrary view that removal could not be ordered under Section 147.	Identified as a precedent taking the opposite stance; relied upon by some Courts to deny mandatory powers under Section 147.
Badridas Agarwala v. Sohan Lal Oswal	Calcutta High Court came to the conclusion (in one instance) that removal orders could be passed.	Referred to as part of the conflicting authorities from Calcutta supporting magistrate's power to order removal.
Syed Usman Ali Mahmood Ali v. Emperor	Gruer, J. held an order in the nature of a mandatory injunction directing removal could not be passed under Section 147.	Cited as authority against the existence of mandatory powers under Section 147 (Nagpur view).
Ram Chand v. Emperor	Division Bench of this Court held that when a permanent obstruction exists and there is no danger of breach of the peace, Section 147(2) does not permit an order for removal; matter should be left to civil courts.	The Full Bench considered Ram Chand required reconsideration and engaged with its reasoning at length, ultimately differing on key points about continuing danger of breach of peace and the implied powers doctrine.
Pasupati Nath Bose v. Nando Lal Bose	Pre-amendment decisions held that a magistrate could order removal of an obstruction for permitting exercise of a right.	Used to illustrate that before the 1923 amendment magistrates were held to have such power; relevant to the discussion whether the amendment removed that power.
Lalit Chandra Neogi v. Tarini Prasad Gupta	Pre-amendment case supporting magistrate's power to remove obstructions.	Referenced as one of the earlier authorities supporting removal powers prior to the 1923 amendment.
Ambica Prasad Singh v. Gur Sahay Singh	Pre-amendment authority cited for a magistrate's power to remove obstructions.	Similarly relied upon to show historical practice before the amendment.
Clarence Ry. v. Great N. of England Ry. (cited via Craies and Parke, B.)	Principle of implied ancillary powers: "ubi aliquid conceditur, conceditur etiam id sine quo res ipsa non esse potest."	Invoked to support the proposition that powers necessary to effectuate an express statutory object are impliedly included.
Mayor of Yarmouth v. Simmons (Fry, J.)	If legislature authorises a thing inconsistent with an existing right, the right is displaced; cited for the effect of enabling statutes.	Quoted to illustrate the force of legislative authorization when it conflicts with pre-existing rights and to support implied powers reasoning.
Raju v. Emperor	Cited among authorities supporting the doctrine of implied powers in related contexts.	Listed as supporting precedents for implied ancillary powers needed to effectuate statutory objects.
Emperor v. Sukhdeo	Cited alongside Raju v. Emperor for supporting implied powers doctrine.	Referred to as additional authority that aligns with the implied-powers approach.
Tarini Mohan De Sarkar v. Diwarka Nath Banikya Poddarri	Calcutta case that followed an earlier view (context indicates following Hari Mati Dasi).	Referred to in the survey of conflicting Calcutta authorities.
Haradhone Mukerji v. Brojendra Nath Rai Choudhury	Calcutta decision cited among relevant authorities.	Included in the discussion of Calcutta High Court precedents.
Thoongavadan v. Perumal Goundan	Madras High Court decision cited as taking the view that Section 147 could be construed to permit removal.	Used to show support from Madras High Court for the proposition that removal orders may be within Section 147.
Khajer Naskar v. Tabrej Ali Naskar	Calcutta High Court decision following the view that removal orders can be made under Section 147.	Referenced as part of Calcutta precedents supporting removal powers.
Hem Chandra Banerji v. Abdur Rahman (Full Bench)	Full Bench of Calcutta observed that making an order prohibiting an act is different from ordering the doing of an act; sub-section permits the former not the latter.	Cited as a significant authority taking a restrictive view; its dictum (Derbyshire, C.J.) was discussed and critiqued by the Full Bench in the present opinion.
King-Emperor v. Abdullah	Nagpur High Court followed the latest Calcutta view (cited as supporting restriction).	Mentioned in the survey as aligning with restrictive precedents on removal orders.
Ram Dhan Puri v. Barhamdeo Lal	Patna High Court expressed that magistrate could frame order to restrain a party from preventing applicant from removing an obstruction (effectively enabling removal).	Used to show that some courts accept that magistrates may compel removal indirectly or by framing orders to that effect.
Gbumanda Singh v. Emperor	Lahore High Court view cited in favour of magistrate's power in this context.	Included among non-uniform authorities supporting magistrate's remedial competence.
Gajraj Singh v. Emperor	Case in which a judge indicated that removal of obstruction was justified by Section 147 (matter not fully discussed).	Noted as a decision of this Court's sphere that supports removal orders, though not extensively reasoned.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Full Bench undertook a detailed textual and purposive analysis of Section 147 CrPC and the surrounding procedural scheme (including Form No. XXIV of Schedule V and the relationship with Section 145 and Section 133). The reasoning proceeded in the following steps, as stated in the opinion:

Identifying the central statutory language: Section 147 directs a magistrate, when a dispute likely to cause a breach of the peace regarding an alleged right of user exists, to make inquiry as in Section 145 and, if such right appears to exist, to make an order "prohibiting any interference with the exercise of such right." The 1923 amendment changed the earlier language to the present phrase "prohibiting any interference..."
Questioning whether the amended wording removed the magistrate's power to order removal of physical obstructions. The Court observed that the change in phraseology was "merely verbal" and intended to harmonize subsections, not to curtail operational powers.
Applying the doctrine of implied ancillary powers: the Court held that where the legislature enables something to be done (here, to prevent interference with the exercise of a right), it implies ancillary powers necessary to effectuate that object. The Court relied on established authorities and maxims (as cited) to support the proposition that statutory powers include such necessary incidental powers.
Explaining functional necessity: the Court reasoned that a magistrate's power to prohibit interference would be nominal unless it could be enforced against continuing or physical obstructions. If an interference is continuous (for example, a wall obstructing a door and the drain), the magistrate cannot effectively prevent interference without power to remove the continuing obstruction. Therefore an order for removal is implicit in the prohibition where such removal is necessary to give effect to the order.
Examining procedural forms and practice: Form No. XXIV was analysed; the Court found its language ("shall not retain possession ... to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the right of use aforesaid") implicitly contemplates requiring surrender of exclusive possession, which may necessarily involve removal of physical obstructions. The Court therefore regarded the form as supporting the implied remedial power.
Surveying and distinguishing precedents: the Court surveyed conflicting decisions in various High Courts and in this Court (including pre-amendment authorities that allowed removal and later authorities that denied such power). The Bench critiqued contrary decisions for not addressing the doctrine of implied powers and for not considering the wording of the form in Schedule V.
Defining limits and safeguards: the Court emphasised limitations — magistrates' jurisdiction under Section 147 is confined to preventing breaches of the peace and is not meant to resolve complex title disputes or conduct prolonged inquiries into title. The Court advised that where costly constructions (e.g., an entire house) have been erected, or where an obstruction has been long-standing and no breach of the peace has occurred, magistrates should refrain from exercising their power to order removal and should leave parties to civil remedies or grant time to seek civil relief.
Applying the reasoning to the present facts: the Full Bench found the facts indicated only a mud wall being erected (not substantial construction) and that the Magistrate's order could be appropriate in the exercise of Section 147 powers. Nonetheless, as a safeguard the Court ordered the Magistrate's order not to be executed for two months to allow the opposite party to seek civil remedy.
Concurring observations: Chief Justice Malik agreed with the reasoning but clarified that Section 147 is not intended to empower magistrates to decide rights finally — their orders are temporary and limited to preventing breaches of the peace; any positive acts incidental to desisting from wrongful acts (e.g., removal of obstruction) are included only insofar as necessary to give effect to such prohibitory orders. Another judge (Mushtaq Ahmad, J.) agreed subject to the safeguards mentioned.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The Full Bench concluded that a Magistrate, under Section 147 CrPC, can in appropriate circumstances issue orders which may require the removal of an obstruction (i.e., orders of a mandatory nature) if such relief is necessary to make a prohibitory order effective and to prevent a breach of the peace. The Court rejected the reference seeking to quash the mandatory portion of the Magistrate's order but stayed execution of that order for two months.

Implications:

Direct effect on the parties: The reference was rejected and the Magistrate's order was not quashed. However, execution of the Magistrate's order (to remove the wall) was suspended for two months. During that period the applicant (Mohammad Hamidullah) may pursue his remedy in a civil court of competent jurisdiction.
Scope and limitations clarified: The opinion affirms that Section 147's prohibitory power includes ancillary powers necessary to give it effect (including removal of obstructions), but stresses limits — magistrates should not try to resolve complex title disputes, should avoid ordering removal of extensive or costly constructions, and may grant time or direct parties to civil courts where appropriate.
Precedential effect: The Full Bench's reasoning engages with and distinguishes conflicting High Court authorities and restates the implied-powers rationale. The Court fashioned procedural safeguards (two-month stay and leave to seek civil remedy). The opinion thus resolves the reference in favor of allowing, in suitable cases, explicit orders for removal under Section 147 while circumscribing their application.

Final Court Order (as recorded): "This reference is rejected but it is ordered that the order of the magistrate shall not be executed for two months and the applicant may within this period seek his remedy in a civil court of competent jurisdiction." (Reference rejected.)

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Abdul Wahab Khan v. Mohd. Hamid Ullah

Malik, C.J:— The question raised in this case is of some importance. It is whether under Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure a Magistrate can pass an order in the nature of mandatory injunction directing removal of a wall. I am inclined to the view that Section 147(2) only gives a Magistrate the power to pass an order prohibiting any interference and an order in the nature of a mandatory injunction cannot be passed under that section. A comparison of the language of this section with the language of Section 133 is helpful. In Section 133 the right to pass an order directing the removal of an obstruction has been specifically given. There is, however, a serious conflict of judicial opinion on the point and it is, therefore, desirable that the case should go before a Bench. In Kanta Venkanna v. Inuganti Venkata Surya Neeladri Rao 32 Cr. L.J 215. the Madras High Court came to the conclusion that an order directing removal of the obstruction could be passed under Section 147 and though in Hari Mati Dasi v. Hari Dasi Dasi 30 Cal. W.N 238. a contrary view had been taken in Badridas Agarwala v. Sohan Lal Oswal 44 Cal. W.N 368. the Calcutta High Court came to the same conclusion. In Syed Usman Ali Mahmood Ali v. Emperor A.I.R 1938 Nag. 297., Gruer, J. held that an order in the nature of a mandatory injunction directing removal of an obstruction cannot be passed under Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

2. Let the case be put before a Bench for order. The Bench consisting of Agarwala and P.L Bhargava, JJ. delivered the following judgment:—

3. The question that arises in this reference is whether a Magistrate has jurisdiction under Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to issue a mandatory injunction for the removal of an obstruction. On this point there is conflict of authorities in the various High Courts in India. There is a Division Bench decision of this Court reported in Ram Chand v. Emperor A.I.R 1947 All. 302. which, in our opinion, requires reconsideration.

4. We think that in view of the importance of the question involved in this case and in view of the conflict of opinion in the various Courts in India, it is desirable that the question should be decided authoritatively by a larger Bench. We, therefore, order that the papers of the case may be laid before the Hon'ble the Chief Justice for necessary orders.

5. The following judgments were delivered by the Full Bench:—

6. Agarwala, J.:— Mohammad Hamidullah made an application under Section 145, Criminal Procedure Code, complaining that Abdul Wahab Khan was trying to close the door of his (Mohammad Hamidullah's) house opening into a lane as also a drain passing through the lane and joining the municipal drain by constructing a wall across the door. He alleged that he had been using the lane for passage through the door for the last 20 years and that the action of the opposite party was likely to cause a breach of the peace. The application, though ostensibly made under Section 145, was in reality under Section 147, Cr. P.C

7. The Magistrate issued notice to the opposite party who replied that he was the owner of the lane on which the applicant claimed a right of way. According to him, the applicant had opened the door in question a short time ago during his absence from Allahabad. He denied the existence of the drain and the right of way claimed by Mohammad Hamidullah.

8. The Magistrate found that the open land had been used as a lane by the inmates of Mohammad Hamidullah's house for several years past and that the opposite party had recently started the construction of the wall in front of the disputed door. He also found that there was a drain on the disputed land through which water of Hamidullah's house flowed. He, therefore, held that the applicant had a right of way over the land through the door and also a right to flow water through the drain on the land into the municipal drain. He passed the following order:—

I hereby order that the opposite party will remove the wall erected in front of the western door of the applicant within ten days of this order. It is hereby declared under Section 145/147, Cr. P.C that the applicant has got a right to pass over the disputed land which has been attached from the western side door to the main road. He has also got the right to keep his drain flowing from the disputed land upto the municipal drain. The opposite party is forbidden to interfere with the exercise of these rights by the applicant on pain of prosecution under Section 188, I.P.C

9. Against this order the opposite party made an application in revision to the Sessions Judge of Allahabad, who, being of the opinion that Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure did not authorize a magistrate to pass a mandatory order directing the removal of a wall, made this reference, with the recommendation that the mandatory portion of the Magistrate's directions (ordering the applicant to demolish a wall) be quashed. The matter first came up before the Hon'ble the Chief Justice who, in view of the conflicting authorities upon the question, referred the case to a Bench which again in its turn considered that the case might be heard by a larger Bench. The reference is accordingly before us for disposal.

10. Under Section 147 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, when there is a dispute likely to cause a breach of the peace regarding any alleged right of user of any kind, whether easementary or otherwise, the magistrate is directed to make an inquiry into the dispute in the manner provided in Section 145 and, if it appears to such magistrate that such right exists, he may make an order “prohibiting any interference with the exercise of such right.”

11. The words ‘prohibiting any interference with the exercise of such fight’ in Clauses 2 and 3 of Section 147 have been substituted in place of the words permitting such thing to be done, or directing such thing not to be done’ by the Amending Act of 1923. Before the amendment, it was held that a magistrate had jurisdiction to order the removal of an obstruction for the purpose of permitting the exercise of the right, vide (1) Pasupati Nath Bose v. Nando Lal Bose 5 C.W.N 67., (2) Lalit Chandra Neogi v. Tarini Prasad Gupta 5 C.W.N 335. and (3) Ambica Prasad Singh v. Gur Sahay Singh I.L.R 30 Cal. 560..

12. Has the change in the language taken away the power of the magistrate to issue such an order?

13. To my mind, the change in the phraseology of the section is merely verbal and does lot affect the powers of the Magistrate in chis regard. The wording of the section had to be altered in order to bring Sub-sections (2) and (3) into harmony with the changes introduced in Sub-section (1).

14. It is admitted that, when the interference is merely verbal or is made in person by the opposite party or his servants or agents, the magistrate has jurisdiction to remove it because the personal interference can be removed from the scene by arresting the opposite party or his servants or agents. But it is suggested that if the interference is not personal but is done through the instrumentality of a physical obstruction like a wall or a hedge or even some other flimzy construction, the magistrate is powerless, because the section does not give him the power to order the removal of the obstruction. To my mind this interpretation of the section is too narrow and is calculated to defeat the very object of the section. The magistrate is empowered to prohibit an interference. It must be presumed that the power conferred on the magistrate is an effective power and not a nominal one. Interference may be of short duration or continuous. The magistrate must have the power to prevent the interference whether it is continuous or temporary. If it is continuous, he cannot effectively exercise his power of preventing the interference, unless he has the power of removing the continuing interference, like a wall etc. To say that he has no power to remove the obstruction is to deny him the power of preventing the obstruction.

15. It is well settled that a power to effectuate a certain object which the legislature has in view must be construed as implying the existence of all such ancillary powers as are necessary for carrying out the intention of the legislature and effectuating the object in view.

“One of the first principles of law” says Craies in his Statute Law, 4th Edition, page 229,

With regard to the effect of an enabling Act is that if the Legislature enables something to be done, it gives power at the same time, by necessary implication to do everything which is indispensable for the purpose of carrying out the purpose in view, ‘on the principle’ as Parke, B., said in Clarence Ry. v. Great N. of England Ry., (1845) 13 M. & W. 706, 721, ‘that ubi aliquid conceditur, con ciditur etiam id sine quo res ipsa non esse potest.’

16. As Fry, J. said in Mayor, etc., of Yarmouth v. Simmons.9

When the Legislature clearly and distinctly authorise the doing of a thing which is physically inconsistent with the continuance of an existing right, the right is gone because the thing cannot be done without abrogating the right.

17. See also Raju v. Emperor A.I.R 1928 Lah. 462 and Emperor v. Sukhdeo A.I.R 1930 Lah. 465.

18. Form No. XXIV of Schedule V appertaining to Section 147 supports this view. The material portion of the form is as follows:—

I do order that the said claimant, or claimants or any one in their interest, shall not take (or retain) possession of the said land (or water) to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the right of use aforesaid, until he (or they) shall obtain the decree or order of a competent Court adjudging him (or them) to be entitled to exclusive possession.

19. The words “shall not ‘retain’ possession of the said land (or water) to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the right of use aforesaid”, clearly indicate that if the opposite-party had already taken possession of the land to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the right, he shall desist from retaining such possession. Implicit in its language is an order of a mandatory nature, namely, an order:

If you have already taken possession to exclude the enjoyment of the other side, give up the exclusive possession so that the applicant may enjoy the right of user.

20. When the opposite party has taken possession of the land to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the right of the applicant by building a wall he could be compelled to give up this exclusive enjoyment only by the removal of the wall and in no other way.

21. It has been suggested that a comparison of the language used in Section 133 where a magistrate is authorised to order the removal of the construction, suggests that in Section 147 the legislature had no such intention. Section 133 deals with cases of removal of an unlawful obstruction or nuisance whereas Section 147 deals with the case of removal of interference with the right of user. The language of Section 147, therefore, had to be in general words, conveying the idea of prohibition or interference with the right of user of course, it would have been better if the legislature in so many words had conferred upon the magistrate the power of removal of obstruction. If the legislature had done so there would have been no necessity of interpreting the section. The need arises because the language is not specifically clear.

22. The authorities on the point are not uniform. In none of the cases, in which a contrary view has been expressed, was the doctrine of implied powers examined. They are, therefore, not of much help.

23. In Hari Mati Dasi v. Hari Dasi Dasi A.I.R 1925 Cal. 991. form No. XXIV was utilized as supporting the contrary view. I do not consider that the interpretation put upon the ‘Form’ was a correct one. It was further suggested in the case that, if the order of the magistrate directing the removal of the wall were to stand, the opposite-party was to bring a suit, for a declaration to build the wall after demolishing it in obedience to the order of the magistrate, which would be a suit of a somewhat novel character, in which, even if successful, the plaintiff can get no relief for the loss caused, I do not know why the plaintiff cannot bring a suit for the declaration suggested, although it would be enough for him to sue for a declaration that the other side has no right to use the land for the purpose claimed by him, and for a declaration that he has no right to interfere with the construction of the wall. In such a suit, if the wall had already been demolished, the plaintiff can sue for damages, because the demolition was obtained by the other side without any right; so that no harm is done if the magistrate is given the power to order the removal on the construction.

24. This case was followed in Calcutta in Tarini Mohan De Sarkar v. Diwarka Nath Banikya Poddarri A.I.R 1934 Cal. 556. and Haradhone Mukerji v. Brojendra Nath Rai Choudhury A.I.R 1937 Cal. 513.. The Madras High Court in (Kanta) Venkanna v. (Inuganti) Venkata Surya Neeladri Rao A.I.R 1930 Mad. 865. and Thoongavadan v. Perumal Goundan A.I.R 1941 Mad. 752. and others took a different view and held that the language of Section 147 was capable of being construed as giving the court the power to order the removal of an obstruction. This view was followed by the Calcutta High Court in two cases, Khajer Naskar v. Tabrej Ali Naskar A.I.R 1933 Cal. 752. and Badridas Agarwala v. Sohan Lal Oswal A.I.R 1940 Cal. 545.. But in Hem Chandra Banerji v. Abdur Rahman A.I.R 1942 Cal. F.B 244., that Court went back to the view taken in Hari Mati Dasi v. Hari Dasi A.I.R 1925 Cal. 991..

25. In the Full Bench case of Hem Chandra Banerji v. Abdur Rahman I.L.R 1942 Cal. Vol. II, p. 75., Derbyshire, C.J, with whom other Judges agreed, observed,

It is one thing to make an order prohibiting the doing of an act; it is another to order the doing of an act. The sub-section allows the former, but it does not allow the latter.

26. Undoubtedly, if a person is ordered not to do a certain thing, it will not ordinarily impose upon him a duty to do a certain positive act. But there is an exception even to this rule. An order may be nagative in form, but it may be of such a nature that it can be complied with only if the person restrained does something positives of course, if that positive thing which must be done in order to comply with the negative order be of such a nature that it is not within his power to do, he will not be held guilty of a breach of the order. But if the doing of something positive be within his power, and if without doing it, the order cannot be complied with, he is bound to do the positive act. For instance, if the order is ‘do not retain possession of a certain house after a certain date’, his order can be complied with only if the house is vacated by that date. So also I think if a person has taken exclusive possession of a piece of land and obstructed the user of the same by another person by erecting an obstruction and the order is ‘do not retain possession of the land to the exclusion of the user of it by the other party’, there is no other way of complying with the order except by the removal of the obstruction.

27. The Nagpur High Court has followed the latest Calcutta view, vide King-Emperor v. Abdullah A.I.R 1949 Nag. 275 and Syed Usman Ali Mahmood Ali v. Emperor A.I.R 1933 Nag. 297.

28. The Patna High Court has, however, expressed the opinion that the magistrate had jurisdiction to restraint a party from preventing the applicant from himself removing the obstruction, which in fact means that the court had jurisdiction to so frame its order as to compel the removal of the obstruction, vide Ram Dhan Puri v. Barhamdeo Lal A.I.R 1929 Pat. 351..

29. The Lahore High Court has also taker the same view in Gbumanda Singh v. Emperor A.I.R 1941 Lah. 210..

30. So far as this Court is concerned only two cases have been brought to our notice—Gajraj Singh v. Emperor A.I.R 1941 Lah. 210. and Ram Chand v. Emperor A.I.R 1947 All. 302..

31. In Gajraj Singh's case 1936 A.L.J 746. Niamatullah, J. was of opinion that the order for the removal of an obstruction was justified by the provisions of Section 147, Criminal Procedure Code. The matter was, however, not discussed as any length.

32. In Ram Chand v. Emperor A.I.R 1947 All. 302. the learned Judges observed:

The principal, and indeed the sole object of a proceeding under Chap. XII, Criminal Procedure Code, which includes Section 147, is to prevent a breach of the peace. When the exercise of the alleged, right has been totally prevented, no question of a breach of the peace in consequence of the exercise of that right can possibly arise and in those circumstances we think it is not within the jurisdiction of a Magistrate under Section 147, Sub-section (2) to pass an order to the effect that the permanent obstruction should be removed. In those circumstances the matter really resolves itself into a Civil dispute between the parties and they should be left to pursue their remedy in the Civil Court. Once it is found chat there can be no danger of a breach of the peace, there is in our judgment no justification for an order under Section 147, Sub-section (2), Criminal Procedure Code.

33. With the greatest respect, I find myself unable to accept the proposition that once by force or stealth one party has put an obstruction in the right of user of a piece of land of another party, there remains no danger of a breach of the peace. The obstruction and the dispute about the exercise of the right are the main points of contentions between the parties. Those contentions may possibly remain as long as the obstruction and denial of the right of the user remain. The danger of breach of peace arises because of one party commencing a construction obstructing the right of user claimed by the other party. It is not necessary that the danger should automatically cease as soon as the construction is completed. Indeed in many a case the danger arises after the construction has been completed by force or in secret. If the Court really finds that the danger, has in fact subsided it is a different matter. In that case a magistrate has no jurisdiction to issue any order. But the fact that the obstruction has been placed in the way of the exercise of the user, does not in all cases remove the danger of the breach of the peace. There is a danger because one party may try to remove the obstruction himself by force and the other party by force may want to prevent the removal. It is for this reason that the magistrate is empowered to inquire into the matter in order to prevent a breach of the peace, and to prevent the side which is acting contrary to the right found to exist in the other. Under Section 147 a magistrate is empowered to act not only when there is a danger of the breach of the peace “in consequence of the exercise of the right” as stated by the learned Judges but also when there has been placed an obstruction in the exercise of the right. Both these positions are covered by the words “dispute regarding any alleged right of user” in Section 147. A comparison with the provisions of Section 145 the procedure of which is required to be followed in proceedings under Section 147 will make the point clear. Under that section, even if one party has taken unlawful possession of a property for less than two months, there may be “a dispute likely to cause the breach of the peace concerning any land” and the magistrate will then have the power to remove the person in unlawful possession. Thus it is recognised by that section that there may be a danger of the breach of the peace when there is a dispute about the land which is in the exclusive possession and enjoyment of the other side. Under Section 147 instead of the dispute being with regard to land the dispute is with regard to the right of user over such land. Simply because one party has put himself in exclusive possession and excluded the other party from the enjoyment of the right of user over the land, it cannot be said that the danger of breach of the peace must cease to exist in all cases. If that were so there would have been no necessity of including in Form No. 24 or Schedule V of the Code of Criminal Procedure a direction to the effect that a party “shall not retain possession, of the land to the exclusion of the enjoyment of the right of the user” of the other party. The learned Judges did not notice the wordings of this form nor was the doctrine of implied powers discussed by them.

34. It has been urged by the Government Advocate that no positive order can be passed under Section 147 and that the order must be negative in form as is given in Form No. 24. No doubt, under Section 147 the jurisdiction of a magistrate is confined only to the passing of prohibitory orders which are generally in a negative form and he has no power to issue every kind of positive orders to secure the exercise of the right of user by one party. But in order to make a prohibitory order effective, as has already been discussed, the magistrate has power to pass an order for the removal of an obstruction, if without its removal the prohibitory order cannot be effectively enforced. Thus a magistrate has no power to order a party to rebuild a drain where he has demolished one. But he has power to order the removal of an obstruction, like a wall, so that the exercise of the right of user by the other party may not be interrupted.

35. It has been suggested that no explicit order for the removal of an obstruction should be passed and that the only order that should be passed should be one prohibiting the applicant from interfering with the opposite party's right of user and thereby leaving the question of the removal of the wall to implication only. I emphatically disagree with this view. What the court has power to do implicitly, it must have power to do explicitly and indeed, in my view, it is much better that the court passes an explicit order rather than to leave it to implication. Form No. 24 and other Forms given in the Criminal Procedure Code are not meant to be exhaustive. They are liable to be altered and amended according to the exigencies of a particular case.

36. It must, however, be emphasised that where constructions of a costly nature have been made, for instance, a whole house has been constructed and not merely a wall, the Magistrate would be well advised not to exercise his powers under Section 147 but to leave the parties to seek their remedy in a civil court.

37. Again, where an obstruction has been in existence for a sufficiently long time and without there having occurred a breach of the peace, the court will be justified in granting some time to the party against whom an order under Section 147 is being made, to enable him to seek his remedy in the civil court.

38. I would, therefore, reject this reference but would order that the order of the Magistrate shall not be executed for two months and that the applicant may within this period seek his remedy in a civil court.

39. Malik, C.J:— I generally agree with what my brother Agarwala has said in his judgment. I would, however, like to guard myself against being understood to mean that, under Section 147 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Magistrates have jurisdiction to issue orders even in the nature of mandatory injunctions. It must be borne in mind that Section 147 and similar other sections were not intended to give to the Magistrates power to decide disputes relating to rights of the parties. The sole object behind these sections is to prevent breaches of the peace, and if a magistrate finds that there is a likelihood of the breach of the peace and that is due prima facie to the wrongful act of a person, he can direct that person to desist from doing the wrongful act. In directing him to desist from doing a wrongful act, everything incidental thereto must be included, that is, if it is necessary for the wrong-doer to remove himself or remove any obstruction that he has placed in the way of the enjoyment of the right of the other side, he must also remove that. In passing such orders the Magistrates must, however, bear in mind that their jurisdiction under these sections are confined only to preventing breaches of the peace and they are not expected to hold complicated enquiries as to title and try to adjust the same. Their orders are intended to be only of a temporary nature till the rights of the parties are finally determined by competent courts. So far as I can see from the judgments of the lower courts no substantial construction had been built. Some sort of a mud wall was being put up to block the way when the opposite party filed his application under Section 147. In the circumstances I agree in the order proposed.

40. Mushtaq Ahmad, J.:— I also agree subject to the safeguard mentioned by the Hon. C.J in his appellate order.

41. By the Court— This reference is rejected but it is ordered that the order of the magistrate shall not be executed for two months and the applicant may within this period seek his remedy in a civil court of competent jurisdiction.

42. Reference rejected.

Abdul Wahab Khan v. Mohd. Hamid Ullah

Structured Summary of the Provided Opinion

Factual and Procedural Background

Legal Issues Presented

Arguments of the Parties

Applicant (Mohammad Hamidullah)

Opposite Party (Abdul Wahab Khan)

Sessions Judge / Government Advocate

Table of Precedents Cited

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

Holding and Implications

Abdul Wahab Khan v. Mohd. Hamid Ullah

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