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Judgment Summary — M.B. Sharma, J.

Factual and Procedural Background

The petitioner, who operates a sarrafa business as "Messrs. Garg and Co." in Johri Bazar, Jaipur, filed a writ petition seeking (a) registration of criminal cases against the respondents for alleged illegal and high-handed actions, (b) investigation of those cases by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and (c) other reliefs including compensation.

The petitioner alleged that after respondent No. 5 (Chain Singh) took charge as Station House Officer at Manak Chowk Police Station in early January 1991, respondents Nos. 6 and 7 (Anwar Khan and Sawai Singh, constables) visited his shop and demanded a monthly payment ("mahavari"). The petitioner refused. On 16 January 1991 an incident occurred in which police personnel allegedly created a scene, took a gold piece being weighed at the petitioner’s "Dharam Kanta", and later — according to the petitioner — a party led by the Station House Officer arrived, threatened persons, carried out a search without showing authority, seized Rs. 2 lakhs in cash and about 4¼ kg (later stated as 4.865 kg) of silver, and removed papers without giving receipts. The petitioner alleges false reports were lodged under sections 332 and 353 IPC to cover these actions.

The petitioner complained to higher authorities and submitted complaints on 17 January 1991. Respondents filed replies and affidavits denying the allegations, asserting that the seizure was made under section 102, Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and that subsequent involvement of Income-tax authorities occurred under provisions of the Income-tax Act (sections 132 and 132A). A charge-sheet under section 173 CrPC was filed in respect of the offences (sections 332 and 353 IPC).

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the allegations made by the petitioner established a prima facie case warranting registration of criminal cases against the respondents and an order for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
  2. Whether the seizure of cash and silver by the police was unlawful or mala fide, in particular whether the seizure was justified under section 102, Criminal Procedure Code.
  3. Whether, having regard to subsequent proceedings under section 132 read with section 132A of the Income-tax Act, the Income-tax authorities had exclusive or overriding jurisdiction in relation to the seized cash and silver.

Arguments of the Parties

Petitioner's Arguments

  • The petitioner alleged that respondents demanded a monthly payment ("mahavari") and that his refusal led to harassment, humiliation and illegal seizure of cash and silver.
  • He asserted that the silver was not contraband and that Rs. 2 lakhs were being brought by his nephew Ashok Kumar Agrawal to deposit in the bank (a cheque having been advanced), therefore the seizure was improper.
  • The petitioner contended that the police lodged false reports under sections 332 and 353 IPC to cover up illegal actions and sought CBI investigation and registration of criminal cases against the respondents.
  • Counsel for the petitioner relied on authorities (cases) to challenge the legality of the seizure of cash and silver.

Respondents' Arguments

  • Respondent No. 5 (Station House Officer) and respondents Nos. 6 and 7 (constables) filed affidavits denying the petitioner's allegations about demands for monthly payment and denying mala fide conduct; they stated they were acting in discharge of official duty.
  • The respondents asserted that a piece of gold with foreign marking and suspected to be smuggled had been brought to the petitioner’s shop and, while discharging their duty, they were assaulted (denied or disputed by the petitioner).
  • They maintained the seizure of cash and silver was effected under section 102 CrPC because the property was found under circumstances creating suspicion of an offence.
  • Respondent No. 4 (Income-tax Officer) asserted that the cash and silver were taken into possession and proceedings were initiated under section 132A (and that provisions of section 132 apply), and that orders under section 132(5) read with 132(7) were made by the Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax; further administrative action followed up to the Commissioner of Income-tax.
  • Respondents argued that entries in the rojnamcha and the first information report support their account that events and seizure occurred after 4 p.m. on 16 January 1991, countering the petitioner's timing and narrative.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
L.R. Gupta v. Union of India, [1992] 194 ITR 32 (Delhi) Cited by petitioner in support of objection to seizure of cash and silver. The court held this authority (and other cited authorities) was not applicable because, once proceedings under section 132 read with section 132A of the Income-tax Act had taken place, the Income-tax authorities had jurisdiction and could make orders under sections 132(5) and 132(7).
Motilal v. Preventive Intelligence Officer, Central Excise and Customs, [1971] 80 ITR 418 (All) Cited by petitioner regarding the legality of seizure and control over seized property. The court stated this authority did not apply in the present facts because of the intervening and applicable provisions of the Income-tax Act (sections 132 / 132A) and the orders that followed from Income-tax authorities.
ITO v. Seth Brothers, [1969] 74 ITR 836 (SC) Cited by petitioner in support of challenge to seizure and related tax/possession issues. The court found that the cited precedent was not applicable due to the effect of section 132 read with section 132A of the Income-tax Act and the consequent actions of Income-tax authorities in this case.
CIT v. Tarsem Kumar, [1986] 161 ITR 505 : (1986) 3 SCC 489 : [1986] AIR 1986 SC 1477 Cited by petitioner to challenge Income-tax seizure/retention principles. The court concluded that this authority likewise did not assist the petitioner because the Income-tax Act procedures (including section 132(5) and (7) and section 132A) had been invoked and produced subsequent orders by Income-tax authorities.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court examined the factual allegations of the petitioner and the counter-affidavits filed by respondents. The analysis proceeded on these primary lines:

  1. Evaluation of factual disputes: The court noted conflicting accounts on central factual points (demand for mahavari, timing of events — petitioner asserted about 1:30 p.m. while respondents said events occurred after 4 p.m., and presence/role of Ashok Kumar). Because respondents denied the petitioner's account on affidavit and there was no clinching material to establish the petitioner's version, the court found it could not accept the petitioner's story for the purpose of deciding the writ petition.
  2. Seizure power under section 102 CrPC: The court reviewed section 102 CrPC, observing that it authorises a police officer to seize property alleged or suspected to be stolen or found under circumstances creating suspicion of an offence. The respondents asserted the seizure was made under section 102, and the court observed it could not determine how exactly the incident occurred on the limited record before it. Importantly, there was no material before the court showing the seizure was made mala fide or for an ulterior motive.
  3. Role and effect of Income-tax Act proceedings: The court explained the operation of section 132A of the Income-tax Act (and that when section 132A is invoked the provisions of section 132 also become applicable). The record indicated that the Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax had made an order under section 132(5) read with section 132(7) taking Rs. 2 lakhs into possession as unexplained/concealed income for assessment year 1991–92, and that the Commissioner of Income-tax made an order concerning retention of jewellery in favour of the petitioner. Given those statutory provisions and administrative steps, the court held that the Income-tax authorities had jurisdiction in respect of the seized cash and silver and that the precedents cited by the petitioner were not apt in the present circumstances.
  4. Standard for directing CBI investigation: The court acknowledged that it could direct investigation by the CBI if a prima facie case is made out. However, on the record before the court — in light of denials by respondents, entries in rojnamcha, the first information report, the absence of conclusive contemporaneous evidence supporting the petitioner's specific allegations (e.g., about the mahavari demand and the exact sequence of events), and intervening Income-tax proceedings — the court concluded that no prima facie case was established that would justify directing a CBI investigation.
  5. Availability of alternative remedy: The court noted that, at minimum, the petitioner could have filed a complaint in the competent criminal court which would be tried according to law; the writ forum was not persuaded to substitute itself for that process on the present facts.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The writ petition was dismissed. The court's final disposition was:

DISMISSED — the writ petition is dismissed with no order as to costs.

Implications:

  • The court found that, on the material before it, no prima facie offence was made out to justify registration of the criminal cases sought by the petitioner and no basis existed to direct investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
  • The court accepted the respondents' account that the seizure was effected under section 102 CrPC and further observed that proceedings under section 132 read with section 132A of the Income-tax Act had been taken; those Income-tax Act procedures placed the seized cash and silver within the purview of Income-tax authorities and related orders had been made, reducing the applicability of the petitioner's cited case law.
  • The decision directly results in dismissal of the petition; the court did not set or announce a new legal precedent beyond applying existing statutory provisions (CrPC and Income-tax Act) to the facts. The court indicated that any contested factual or criminal issues are matters for the criminal court or the competent forum under the relevant statutory provisions.

    Chandra Prakash Agrawal v. State Of Rajasthan And Others.

    M.B Sharma, J.:— The petitioner seeks registration of criminal cases against the respondents for their alleged illegal and high-handed activities and thereafter to get the cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. A few other reliefs have also been claimed including the relief of awarding compensation.

    2. The case of the petitioner is that he is running a sarrafa business under the name and style of Messrs. Garg and Co. in a shop situated below Halidya House, Johri Bazar, Jaipur.

    3. He also has “Dharam Kanta” in the corner of the said shop. Respondent No..5, Chain Singh, joined as Station House Officer, Police Station, Manak Chowk, Jaipur, on or about January 10, 1991. According to the petitioner, respondents Nos. 6 and 7, namely, Anwar Khan and Sawai Singh, constables Nos. 3308 and 1842, respectively, were also posted at Manak Chowk Police Station under respondent No. 5, Chain Singh. Some time in the second week of January, 1991, each of them is said to have visited the shop of the petitioner and given out that Chain Singh has taken over as Station House Officer of the police station and if the petitioner wants to run his shop smoothly, it is better to fix up mahavari (monthly payment). The petitioner did not agree to it and the abovenamed two respondents threatened the petitioner. On January 16, 1991, at about 1.30 p.m according to the petitioner, respondents Nos. 6 and 7 again came to his shop and asked him as to what had been decided by him finally, and when the petitioner refused to agree to pay any monthly amount, it is alleged that they further threatened him. One Ashok Kumar Agrawal came to the shop. Ashok Kumar Agrawal is his own nephew and is running a shop of jewellery in Johri Bazar, Jaipur. According to the petitioner, the said Ashok Kumar Agrawal owed a sum of Rs. 2.90 lakhs to him which amount has been deposited by him with Ashok Kumar and Ashok Kumar Agrawal, on January 16, 1991, came with the said sum of Rs. 2.90 lakhs and was going to the bank and he gave a cheque to the petitioner to return the part of the amount which he (Ashok Kumar Agrawal) owed to the petitioner. It is the further case of the petitioner that the two constables, respondents Nos. 6 and 7, created an ugly scene there. It was at about 1.30 p.m that Madan Lal happened to be at “Dharam Kanta” for weighment of gold and respondents Nos. 6 and 7 who were roaming outside the shop came up and picked one of the gold pieces from the “Dharam Kanta”. The petitioner protested. He and Madanlal raised a hue and cry. The gold piece was returned by Anwar Khan, constable, but the accompanying constable, Sawai Singh, asked Anwar Khan to go to the police station and report the matter that the gold seized by them has been snatched away and he was asked to return with force. The petitioner left his shop for taking legal advice and when he returned at 4 p.m to the shop, he was told that Chain Singh, respondent No. 5, the then Station House Officer, with 10 to 12 constables had come to his shop and threatened Ashok Kumar with dire consequences and he also hurled filthy abuses and forcibly took the search of the shop without showing any authority and seized a sum of Rs. 2 lakhs lying in a bag and about 4¼ kg. silver was also taken into his possession by Chain Singh and the police party and some papers were also taken without giving any receipt. Ashok Kumar and Madanlal were taken to the police station. The petitioner also reached the police station on coming to know this through his munim and Ashok Kumar gave out that severe beating was inflicted upon him and cash and silver and other account books have not been released. According to the petitioner, he tried to contact the higher authorities, but there was no response and, therefore, he met the Home Minister and on January 17, 1991, he submitted a complaint to various authorities.

    4. The petitioner further gave out that, to cover up their illegal actions, a false report was made against the petitioner and Madanlal under sections 332 and 353, Indian Penal Code. The said report, according to the petitioner, is not only false but also a concocted one and has been made to prepare a defence by the police authorities.

    5. It is yet the case of the petitioner that not only this, respondent No. 5, Chain Singh, managed with the income-tax officials and handed over the cash of Rs. 2 lakhs and silver weighing 4.865 kg. though it was not in accordance with law that such an action could have been taken. Respondent No. 4, Income-tax Officer, Ward-2, and his subordinates, under the influence of the local police, fabricated some documents showing the search having been conducted by them on January 16, 1991. The petitioner only came to know about the amount, silver and other documents having been seized under section 102, Criminal Procedure Code, when he filed an application before the Chief Judicial Magistrate for return of the cash taken by the police.

    6. The respondents, in their reply, have justified their action and respondent No. 5 has come out with a case on affidavit that he acted in the discharge of his duties and the silver, cash and account books were seized under section 102, Criminal Procedure Code. Besides respondent No. 5, affidavits have also been filed by respondents Nos. 6 and 7 and they have said that about half biscuit of gold with foreign marking was brought by a customer to the shop of the petitioner and it was suspected to be smuggled. Therefore, the constables wanted the matter to be reported to the Station House Officer. While they were discharging their duties, they were beaten by the petitioner and Madanlal and so far as Ashok Kumar is concerned, the case of the respondents is that he has been introduced to lead credence to the story otherwise Ashok Kumar was not present and he is a relation of the petitioner himself. So far as respondent No. 4 is concerned, he has come out with a case in the reply that it was in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, that the police had forwarded the silver and cash and action was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (for short, “the I.T Act”).

    7. It was contended by learned counsel for the petitioner that, because the petitioner refused to agree to the illegal demand of fixing monthly payment for the new Station House Officer, he was humiliated and harassed and the silver was not contraband silver and it should not have been seized and Rs. 2 lakhs were brought by Ashok Kumar to deposit in the bank in lieu of which a cheque was already advanced to the petitioner. The allegations about asking for fixing mahavari (monthly payment) have been denied by respondents Nos. 5 to 7 on affidavits and, therefore, it cannot be held that the story of the petitioner that respondents Nos. 6 and 7, the two constables, had come to the shop and wanted the mahavari (monthly payment) to be fixed for the purpose of disposal of this writ petition being disputed cannot be acted upon. Besides this, it appears that there has been some inquiry into this incident which did not reveal any truth in the allegations. The incident took place on January 16, 1991, and there is no material that, on January 16, 1991, or immediately thereafter, any report containing the allegations that the constables had asked for fixing mahavari (monthly payment) was lodged. Even in the complaint sent on January 17, 1991, to the various authorities there is no mention that Ashok Kumar had come with a sum of Rs. 2 lakhs in the bag nor is there a mention that, when the petitioner left his shop for consultation with his advocate, he left behind Ashok Kumar and Madanlal. At any rate, in these proceedings, it is not possible because of denial on affidavit by the respondents and there being no clinching evidence that the incident had happened because of refusal of the petitioner to agree to fix mahavari (monthly payment) to the new Station House Officer. It cannot be said that the incident had taken place as alleged by the petitioner. Under section 102, Criminal Procedure Code, a police officer has power to seize any property which may be alleged or suspected to have been stolen or which may be found under circumstances which create suspicion of the commission of any offence. The power is said to have been exercised under section 102, Criminal Procedure Code, by respondent No. 5 to seize the property, i.e, Rs. 2 lakhs and silver, etc. A bare reading of section 102, Criminal Procedure Code will show that the said power can be exercised even if the property is found under circumstances which create suspicion of commission of any offence. It is not possible for this court to say how and in what circumstances the incident occurred, whether or not the gold which was being weighed at the shop of the petitioner on “Dharam Kanta” was or was not contraband and it was or was not having foreign marking, but this fact is not disputed even by the petitioner that a customer had come to his shop and a piece of gold was being weighed. There is no material that the power of seizure was exercised mala fide or for any ulterior motive or extraneous consideration, much less because the petitioner refused to agree to the demand of fixing monthly amount. Respondent No. 5 having joined on January 9, 1991, only there may be something, but mere possibility is not sufficient in a case under sections 332 and 353, Indian Penal Code, registered against the petitioner and others and after the investigation a charge-sheet has also been filed under section 173, Criminal Procedure Code. It was contended by learned counsel for the non-petitioners Nos. 5 to 7 that, only after the case has been registered on January 16, 1991, and only after the silver and cash, etc., have been seized, the petitioner made a story on January 17, 1991, making false allegations about the demand for fixing mahavari (monthly payment) which was not true. It is the case of respondents Nos. 5 to 7 that the incident had taken place after 4 p.m and not 1 p.m as alleged by the petitioner and entries in the rojnamcha as well as the copy of the first information report have been filed. The contention of learned counsel for the petitioner is that they were manipulated later on, but there is no material to this effect and it is to be presumed that all official acts must have been performed. Therefore, taking into consideration that there are entries in the rojnamcha and a perusal of the first information report will show that the seizure had taken place after 4 p.m and the incident is also alleged to have taken place with the constables about which I may say nothing and it is for the criminal court to decide whether the case set up by the petitioner cannot be relied upon.

    8. Coming to the contention that even respondent No. 4, the Income-tax Officer, is in collusion with other respondents, it may be said that respondent No. 4 had come out with a case that action was taken under section 132A of the Income-tax Act, 1961. It is also the case of respondent No. 4 that, in fact, the cash and silver were not seized but they have been taken possession of from the Station House Officer, Police Station, Manak Chowk, and the proceedings under section 132A of the Income-tax Act were initiated and the provisions of section 132 of the Income-tax Act are applicable. A perusal of section 132A, more so its sub-section (1)(c), will show that, even if the officer mentioned therein, in consequence of information in his possession, has reason to believe that any assets represent either wholly or partly income or property which has not been, or would not have been, disclosed for the purposes of the Income-tax Act by any person from whose possession or control such assets have been taken into custody by any officer or authority under any other law for the time being in force, then such officer can authorise the Deputy Director, etc., to require the officer or authority to deliver such books of account, other documents or assets to the requisitioning officer. So far as documents are concerned, they are dealt with under section 132A(1)(a) and (b). It will further be seen that as and when action is taken under section 132A of the Income-tax Act, the provisions of section 132 of that Act are applicable. From the papers shown to the court, it appears that, in respect of cash of Rs. 2 lakhs and silver weighing 4.865 kg. an order under section 132(5) read with section 132(7) of the Income-tax Act was made by the Assistant Commissioner of Income-tax and the amount of Rs. 2 lakhs was taken in possession being unexplained and concealed income for the assessment year 1991–92. It will further be seen that the matter was taken to the Commissioner of Income-tax who so far as the retention of the jewellery is concerned, made an order in favour of the petitioner. Thus, it cannot be said that the Income-tax Officer was in collusion with respondent No. 5. The action was taken in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act and there have been orders also referred to above under the Income-tax Act.

    9. Learned counsel for the petitioner has challenged the seizure of cash and silver as illegal and, in that connection, has referred to the following few cases, namely, L.R Gupta v. Union of India, [1992] 194 ITR 32 (Delhi), Motilal v. Preventive Intelligence Officer, Central Excise and Customs, [1971] 80 ITR 418 (All), ITO v. Seth Brothers, [1969] 74 ITR 836 (SC) and CIT v. Tarsem Kumar, [1986] 161 ITR 505; (1986) 3 SCC 489 : [1986] AIR 1986 SC 1477, but none of the above authorities is applicable because once the proceedings under section 132 read with section 132A of the Income-tax Act have taken place, it is the authorities under the Income-tax Act who alone have jurisdiction in the matter and even in a case where search and seizure under section 132 of the Income-tax Act may not be in accordance with law, if certain cash and valuables are found and seized, an order can be made under the provisions of section 132(5) and (7) of the Income-tax Act which will be subject to the final assessment.

    10. So far as the argument of learned counsel that the first information report should be registered with the Central Bureau of Investigation and investigation should be made by the Central Bureau of Investigation is concerned, learned counsel for the petitioner has referred to a few authorities. There can be no dispute that in case the court is satisfied that a prima facie case is made out, it can be directed to be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, but, in this case, for the reasons stated above, no offence, prima facie, appears to have been made out, or at any rate, it was open to the petitioner to file a complaint in the competent court which would have been tried in accordance with law.

    11. Consequently, I find no merit in this writ petition. It is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs.

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    Chandra Prakash Agrawal v. State Of Rajasthan And Others.
    (Mar 22, 1993)