Petitioner sought quashing of criminal proceedings alleging abuse of process due to settlement and lack of criminal intent. Single judge invoked inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC and quashed the proceedings.
Proceedings under G.R. Case No. 1168 of 2017 arising out of Matigara P.S. Case No. 228 of 2017 were quashed.
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11.01.2023 SL No. 2 Court No.3 SB
Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court At Jalpaiguri
CRR 121 of 2021
In the matter of : Trinanjan Maity
Mr. Sayan De Ms. Esha Acharya … for the petitioner
Mr. Aditi Shankar Chakraborty, Ld. A.P.P. Mr. Nilay Chakraborty … for the State
Mr. Soumyapriya Chowdhury Mr. Ayush Jain Mr. Deborshi Dhar … for the O.P. No. 2
This petition is the expression of displeasure of the petitioner
over the action taken by the private opposite party no. 2 who set the criminal administration of justice into motion by informing police about the unethical and illegal use of encryption of data by the petitioner. Police accordingly registered Matigara P.S. Case No. 228 of 2017 dated 19.4.2017 and took up investigation which culminated into submission of charge sheet against the petitioner. However, during pendency of the proceeding the complainant / opposite party no. 2 has blown life to the business of the petitioner as it appears from paragraph 10 of the petition.
According to Mr. De, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner since the petitioner has already made good the loss suffered by the complainant by taking required step the continuance of the proceeding before the learned Trial Court would be an abuse of the process of law.
Refuting such contention, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the opposite party no. 2 submits that since offence has already been commenced the petitioner cannot escape the clutches of law.
Mr. Chakraborty, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State also opposing the prayer of the petitioner.
However, taking into consideration the facts subsequent to filing of the case, which indicates absence of any criminal intention of a party to commercial transaction, I am of the view that it would be an act of abuse of process of law if the proceeding before the learned Trial Court is allowed to remain in force, particularly, in view of the submission that has been made by Mr. De, learned counsel representing the petitioner regarding settlement. With the aforesaid observation, I invoke the provision of Section 482 of the Cr. P.C. and quash the proceeding being G.R. Case No. 1168 of 2017 arising out of Matigara P.S. Case No. 228 of 2017 dated 19.4.2017.
The revisional application, is thus, disposed of.
Let a copy of the order be sent down to the learned Trial Court
for information and necessary action.
(Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury, J.)
3 issues framed by the court
Whether criminal proceedings should be quashed given the settlement of loss and absence of criminal intent?
Does allowing the proceedings to continue constitute an abuse of the process of law?
Whether the petitioner can escape legal liability once an offense has already been commenced?
1 provisions across 1 enactments
Trinanjan Maity
State
Private Opposite Party No. 2
Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
