JUDGEMENT
LAKSHMAN URAON, J. -
(1.) THIS is an application under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for quashing the entire proceeding, including the order dated 26.10.2002, passed by the learned Sub -Divisional Magistrate,
Chatra, in Case No. 68 of 2002, whereby, he has converted the proceeding under Section 144 of the
Code of Criminal Procedure into a proceeding under Section 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
though earlier proceeding in respect of the same property and in between the same parties, initiated
vide Case No. 36 of 2002, was dropped on 13.8.2002,with the observation that the opposite party may
take recourse of Civil Suit, relying on a decision, reported in 2001(1) JCR 21 (Jhr.) [: 2004(4) JLJR 493],
Kangali Charan Goswami V/s. State of Bihar & Ors.
(2.) IT appears that regarding the land in question of plot No. 65, partaining to khata No. 28, measuring 1.12 Acres, out of 2.40 Acres of land of Village Pachmo, Police Station -ltkhori, there was a proceeding under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In that proceeding, both the parties appeared
and filed their show causes, claiming the property in question by virtue of inheritance and succession.
The claims of the parties were such that it could not have been decided in a proceeding under Section
144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as serious question of title was raised. Accordingly, the learned Sub -Divisional Magistrate, Chatra, by order dated 13.8.2002, dropped the proceeding, initiated by
opposite party No. 2, Baikunth Mishra and others, with observation that they may seek their remedies
before the appropriate Civil Court. However, again opposite party No. 2 (1st party) made application
before the learned Sub -Divisional Magistrate, Chatra, for initiation of a proceeding under Section 144 of
the Code of Criminal Procedure against these petitioners in respect of the same properties. The learned
Sub -Divisional Magistrate registered case No. 68 of 2002 and initiated a proceeding under Section 144
of the Code of Criminal Procedure, by order dated 29.8.2002. These petitioners have been served with
notice dated 26.10.2002 to appear and filed their written statement(s) in respect of their claim regarding
the disputed lands.
Assailing the said order, learned counsel for the petitioners has relied upon the case of Kangali Charan Goshwami vs. State of Bihar & Ors. (supra) and stated that the learned Sub Divisional
Magistrate, Chatra, has already droppedthe earlier proceeding regarding the same land vide Case No.
36 of 2002, observing that since it is purely a matter of civil dispute, 1st Party (Opp. party No. 2) can very well take recourse of Civil Court tor the glievances herein. Even then, this proceeding under
Section 144/145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has again been initiated against these petitioners.
On these ground, it was prayed that the present Criminal Misc. Petition be allowed and the entire
proceeding of case No. 68 of 2002, pending in the Court of learned Sub -Divi -sionai Magistrate, Chatra,
be quashed.
(3.) OPPOSITE party No. 2 Baikunth Mishra filed a petition before the learned Sub -Divisional Magistrate, Chatra, alleging therein, that there is apprehension of breach of peace regarding claiming of possession
over the land, measuring 1.12 Acres of Plot No. 65, pertaining to khata No. 28 of Village Pachma,
Police Station, Itkhori.The learned Sub -Divisional Magistrate having apprehended immediate danger
and nuisance, just to restrain either of the parties to go over the disputed plot, started a proceeding
under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, only to maintain peace and after hearing both
the parties, when they appeared, he found a case regarding claiming of possession over the disputed
plot by both the parties. As such, proceeding under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was
converted into a proceeding under Section 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is an executive
order, only to maintain peace for the safety of human life or to restrain any riot or affray but when there
is a claim and counter claim over the land in question, as in the present case, wherein both the parties
are claiming the land by virtue of inheritance and succession cf the ancestral properties, there is
apprehension of breach of peace. Sec. 145(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides as follows:
"(1) Whenever an Executive Magistrate is satisfied from a report of a police officer of upon other information that a dispute likely to cause a breach of the peace exists concerning any land or water or the boundaries thereof, within his local jurisdiction, he shall make an order in writing, stating the grounds of his being so satisfied, and requiring the parties concerned in such dispute to attend his Court in person or by pleader on a specified date and time, and to put in written statements of their respective claims as respects the facts of actual possession of the subject of dispute." ;