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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION (Crl.) No. OF 2018
(Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India)
IN THE MATTER OF:
Lt Col Karamveer Singh ... Petitioner
VERSUS
State of Jammu & Kashmir & Ors ... Respondents
WITH
[Crl. M.P. No. OF 2018] APPLICATION FOR SEEKING PERMISSION TO FILE WRIT PETITION BY THE PETITIONER ON BEHALF OF HIS SON
AND
[Crl. M.P. No. OF 2018]
APPLICATION FOR EX-PARTE AD-INTERIM STAY
AND
[Crl. M.P. No. OF 2018] APPLICATION FOR SEEKING EXEMPTION FROM FILING
OFFICIAL TRANSLATION
PAPER: BOOK
[FOR INDEX :: KINDLY SEE INSIDE]
ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER: MS AISHWARYA BHATI
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
INDEX
S.No. Particulars of Document Page I of part to
which it belongs
Remarks
Part 1
(Contents
of Paper
Book)
Part II
(Contents
of file
alone)
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
Court Fees
1) Listing Proforma A-A1 A-A1
2) Cover Page of Paper Book A2
3) Index of Record of Proceedings A-3
4) Defect List A-4
5) Note Sheet NS1 to
6) Synopsis & List of Dates
7) Writ Petition with affidavit
8) APPENDIX: i). Sections 21, 52, 302, 307 &
336 of Ranbir Penal Code
ii). Sections 1, 149, 151, 152 & 197 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure Svt, 1989
iii). Sections 2(b), 3, 4 & 7 of the Armed Forces (Jammu &
Kashmir) Special Powers Act,
1990
iv). Article 310 of the Constitution of India
v). Section 5 & 45 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
vi). Section 1, 2, 18 & 70 of the Army Act, 1950
vii). Sections 2(k) & 15 of the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, 1967
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
9) ANNEXURE P-1: Xerox copy alongwith true
translated copy of FIR No.26/2018
dated 27.01.2018, P.S. Shopian
under sections 336, 307, 302 of
Ranbir Penal Code
10) ANNEXURE P-2: True typed copy of the News
Article dated 28.01.2018 published
in Greater Kashmir
11) ANNEXURE P-3: True typed copy of the News
Article dated 30.01.2018, titled as
“Army not to set up any inquiry
against Major Aditya” published in
Greater Jammu
12) ANNEXURE P-4: True typed copy of the News
Article dated 30.01.2018, titled as
“Major was not at Shopian firing
spot: Army sources on FIR”
published in rediff.com
13) ANNEXURE P-5: True typed copy of the News
Article dated 31.01.2018, titled as
“Army gives its version of Shopian
firing to J&K Police, files Counter
FIR” published in The Wire
14) ANNEXURE P-6: True typed copy of the News
Article dated 01.02.2017, titled as
“Army files its version of Shopian
firing that killed 3 civilians”
published in Hindustan Times
15) ANNEXURE P-7: True typed copy of the News Article
dated 06.02.2017, titled as “DGP
downplayed FIR against Army to
please political executives”
published in State Times
16) Application for seeking permission to file Writ Petition by the
Petitioner on behalf of his son
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
17) Application for ex-parte ad-interim stay
18) Application for exemption from filing official translation
19) Filing Memo
20) Vakalatnama with memo of appearance
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
SYNOPSIS
The present Writ Petition (alongwith Application for permission
to file) is filed by a decorated Army Officer, on behalf of his son,
for protecting the morale of the soldiers of Indian Army, who are
facing all odds in performance of their bonafide duties and
laying their lives in the line of duty, to uphold the dignity of the
Indian Flag.
The Petitioner is constrained to file the present Writ Petition for
quashing of the FIR, directly before this Hon‘ble Court in view of
the extremely hostile situation on the ground, whereby an FIR
has been registered by the local police against the son of the
Petitioner, who is a service Army Officer and was performing his
bonafide duties as directed by the Union of India. The manner
in which the lodging of the FIR has been portrayed and
projected by the political leadership and administrative higher-
ups of the State, reflects the extremely hostile atmosphere in
the State. In these circumstances, the Petitioner is left with no
other viable option but to approach this Hon‘ble Court under
Article 32 of the Constitution of India for protection of valuable
Fundamental Rights of his son and himself, enshrined under
Article 14 & 21 of the Constitution of India.
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
The Petitioner is the father of Major Aditya Kumar of 10
Garhwal Rifles, who was wrongly named in FIR No.26/2018
dated 27.01.2018, P.S. Shopian under sections 336, 307, 302
of Ranbir Penal Code. The incident reported in the said FIR
relates to an Army convoy on bonafide military duty in an area
under the AFSPA which was isolated by an unruly and
deranged mob who were pelting the said vehicles with stones
causing damage to the military vehicles which are the property
of the Government of India as well as placing the lives of the
military personnel and military property within the vehicles in
grave peril. Army authorities were under orders from their
superiors who in turn receive orders from the Government of
India as by law established. The military duties being carried
out were routine in nature and were being carried out in
accordance with the law of the land. Yet, they were made
targets of the unlawful assembly's rage and lack of basic
human morality. The unruly mob was requested to disperse and
not to obstruct military persons in performance of their duties
and not to damage government property. When the situation
had reached the extent beyond control, a warning was issued
to the unlawful assembly to disperse in strict compliance with
the established terms of engagement as are employed in such
situations.
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
Pursuant to the said warning, the unlawful assembly refused to
disperse and increased their unlawful activities of stoning the
vehicles. The unruly behaviour of the unlawful assembly
reached its peak when they got hold of a Junior Commissioned
Officer and was in the process of lynching him to death. It was
at this moment that warning shots were fired at the unlawful
assembly which as per the said terms of engagement is the last
resort to be taken before opening fire. The unlawful assembly
again refused to spare the life of the Junior Commissioned
Officer and, therefore, fire was lawfully opened on the unlawful
assembly with an aim to disperse the violent mob and protect
Govt Servants and property. It may please be recollected that
such violent mobs in Kashmir area have frequently obstructed
bonafide Govt duties and even resorted to lynching and killing
of Govt Officials on duty. The brutal and senseless mob
lynching of JKP DSP, Sh Mohd Ayub Pandith on 23 Jun 2017 in
Srinagar is a sad but true reminder of the nature of uncontrolled
mob in these areas.
Further to this incident, an FIR No.26/2018 dated 27.01.2018,
P.S. Shopian under sections 336, 307, 302 of Ranbir Penal
Code was registered. The said police authorities in an arbitrary
exercise of power named Petitioner‘s son as an accused
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therein knowing fully well that he was not present at the place
of the incident and that the personnel so acting were doing
lawful military duty peacefully and who, by violent actions of the
mob, were forced to take lawful actions for protection of Govt
property without any excessive use of force.
Preamble of Indian Constitution has, without any discrimination,
confirmed the security of living creature as very basic
requirement of society. It is the obligation of the State to ensure
the basic security to its citizen and non-citizen living in territory
of State.
Lodging of the FIR naming the son of the Petitioner, who was
leading the Army Convoy, which was on movement under
directions from Union of India and were discharging their
bonafide duties, without any FIR being lodged against the
scores of specific people, who were not only lynching stones on
the Armed Convoy but were even trying to lynch some of the
soldiers to stop them from discharge of their duties and
indulging in terrorist and anti-national activities, exposes the
extremely sinister design, by which the entire effort is to
somehow attack and breakdown the morale of the forces, who
are in anyways operating in extremely hostile and hard
circumstances.
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
It is respectfully submitted that different and diverse versions of
the incident, as published is various newspapers/magazines,
show the volatility of the situation and make it writ large that
Justice will not be meted out to the Petitioner and his son,
which will not only be in grave violation of valuable fundamental
rights guaranteed under Articles 14 & 21 of the Constitution of
India but will also have a numbing effect on the morale of the
extremely courageous and professional Armed Forces of the
Nation, having the potential of jeopardizing the security,
sovereignty and integrity of India.
LIST OF DATES
27.01.2018 The Petitioner is the father of Major Aditya
Kumar of 10 Garhwal Rifles, who was wrongly
named in FIR No.26/2018 dated 27.01.2018,
P.S. Shopian under sections 336, 307, 302 of
Ranbir Penal Code. The incident reported in
the said FIR relates to an Army convoy on
bonafide military duty in an area under the
AFSPA which was isolated by an unruly and
deranged mob who were pelting the said
vehicles with stones causing damage to the
military vehicles which are the property of the
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Government of India as well as placing the
lives of the military personnel and military
property within the vehicles in grave peril.
Army authorities were under orders from their
superiors who in turn receive orders from the
Government of India as by law established.
The military duties being carried out were
routine in nature and were being carried out in
accordance with the law of the land. Yet, they
were made targets of the unlawful assembly's
rage and lack of basic human morality. The
unruly mob was requested to disperse and not
to obstruct military persons in performance of
their duties and not to damage government
property. When the situation had reached the
extent beyond control, a warning was issued
to the unlawful assembly to disperse in strict
compliance with the established terms of
engagement as are employed in such
situations.
Pursuant to the said warning, the unlawful
assembly refused to disperse and increased
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
their unlawful activities of stoning the vehicles.
The unruly behaviour of the unlawful
assembly reached its peak when they got hold
of a Junior Commissioned Officer and was in
the process of lynching him to death. It was at
this moment that warning shots were fired at
the unlawful assembly which as per the said
terms of engagement is the last resort to be
taken before opening fire. The unlawful
assembly again refused to spare the life of the
Junior Commissioned Officer and, therefore,
fire was lawfully opened on the unlawful
assembly with an aim to disperse the violent
mob and protect Govt Servants and property.
It may please be recollected that such violent
mobs in Kashmir area have frequently
obstructed bonafide Govt duties and even
resorted to lynching and killing of Govt
Officials on duty. The brutal and senseless
mob lynching of JKP DSP, Sh Mohd Ayub
Pandith on 23 Jun 2017 in Srinagar is a sad
but true reminder of the nature of uncontrolled
mob in these areas.
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
Further to this incident, an FIR No.26/2018
dated 27.01.2018, P.S. Shopian under
sections 336, 307, 302 of Ranbir Penal Code
was registered. The said police authorities in
an arbitrary exercise of power named
Petitioner‘s son as an accused therein
knowing fully well that he was not present at
the place of the incident and that the
personnel so acting were doing lawful military
duty peacefully and who, by violent actions of
the mob, were forced to take lawful actions for
protection of Govt property without any
excessive use of force.
It is respectfully submitted that different and
diverse versions of the incident, as published
is various newspapers/magazines, show the
volatility of the situation and make it writ large
that Justice will not be meted out to the
Petitioner and his son, which will not only be
in grave violation of valuable fundamental
rights guaranteed under Articles 14 & 21 of
the Constitution of India but will also have a
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numbing effect on the morale of the extremely
courageous and professional Armed Forces of
the Nation, having the potential of jeopardizing
the security, sovereignty and integrity of India.
.02.2018 Hence this Writ Petition before this Hon‘ble
Court.
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. OF 2018
(Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India)
IN THE MATTER OF:
Lt Col Karamveer Singh S/o Shyam Singh R/o HQ 261, Artillery Brigade, C/o 56 APO … Petitioner
VERSUS
1. State of Jammu & Kashmir Through Secretary, Home Department Civil Secretariat, Jammu/Srinagar 2. Director General of Police, State of Jammu and Kashmir, Police Headquarter Airport Road, Peer Bagh, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 3. Union of India, Through Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, North Block, Cabinet Secretariat, Raisina Hill, New Delhi … Respondents
WRIT PETITION UNDER ARTICLE 32 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
TO
THE HON‘BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA AND HIS
HON‘BLE COMPANION JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME
COURT OF INDIA
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE
PETITIONER ABOVE NAMED:
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:
1. By way of this Writ Petition under Article 32 of the
Constitution of India, the Petitioner prays for quashing of
the FIR No.26/2018 dated 27.01.2018, P.S. Shopian
under sections 336, 307, 302 of Ranbir Penal Code
registered by the local police against the son of the
Petitioner, who is a service Army Officer and was
performing his bonafide duties as directed by the Union of
India.
2. The present Writ Petition (alongwith Application for
permission to file) is filed by a decorated Army Officer, on
behalf of his son, for protecting the morale of the soldiers
of Indian Army, who are facing all odds in performance of
their bonafide duties and laying their lives in the line of
duty, to uphold the dignity of the Indian Flag.
3. The Petitioner is constrained to file the present Writ
Petition for quashing of the FIR, directly before this
Hon‘ble Court in view of the extremely hostile situation on
the ground, whereby an FIR has been registered by the
local police against the son of the Petitioner, who is a
service Army Officer and was performing his bonafide
duties as directed by the Union of India. The manner in
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
which the lodging of the FIR has been portrayed and
projected by the political leadership and administrative
higher-ups of the State, reflects the extremely hostile
atmosphere in the State. In these circumstances, the
Petitioner is left with no other viable option but to
approach this Hon‘ble Court under Article 32 of the
Constitution of India for protection of valuable
Fundamental Rights of his son and himself.
4. The Petitioner is the father of Major Aditya Kumar of 10
Garhwal Rifles, who was wrongly named in FIR
No.26/2018 dated 27.01.2018, P.S. Shopian under
sections 336, 307, 302 of Ranbir Penal Code. The
incident reported in the said FIR relates to an Army
convoy on bonafide military duty in an area under the
AFSPA which was isolated by an unruly and deranged
mob who were pelting the said vehicles with stones
causing damage to the military vehicles which are the
property of the Government of India as well as placing the
lives of the military personnel and military property within
the vehicles in grave peril. Xerox copy alongwith true
translated copy of FIR No.26/2018 dated 27.01.2018, P.S.
Shopian under sections 336, 307, 302 of Ranbir Penal
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
Code is annexed herewith and marked as ANNEXURE P-
1 [Pages
5. Army authorities were under orders from their superiors
who in turn receive orders from the Government of India
as by law established. The military duties being carried
out were routine in nature and were being carried out in
accordance with the law of the land. Yet, they were made
targets of the unlawful assembly's rage and lack of basic
human morality. The unruly mob was requested to
disperse and not to obstruct military persons in
performance of their duties and not to damage
government property. When the situation had reached the
extent beyond control, a warning was issued to the
unlawful assembly to disperse in strict compliance with
the established terms of engagement as are employed in
such situations.
6. Pursuant to the said warning, the unlawful assembly
refused to disperse and increased their unlawful activities
of stoning the vehicles. The unruly behaviour of the
unlawful assembly reached its peak when they got hold of
a Junior Commissioned Officer and was in the process of
lynching him to death. It was at this moment that warning
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
shots were fired at the unlawful assembly which as per
the said terms of engagement is the last resort to be
taken before opening fire. The unlawful assembly again
refused to spare the life of the Junior Commissioned
Officer and, therefore, fire was lawfully opened on the
unlawful assembly with an aim to disperse the violent
mob and protect Govt Servants and property. It may
please be recollected that such violent mobs in Kashmir
area have frequently obstructed bonafide Govt duties and
even resorted to lynching and killing of Govt Officials on
duty. The brutal and senseless mob lynching of JKP DSP,
Sh Mohd Ayub Pandith on 23 Jun 2017 in Srinagar is a
sad but true reminder of the nature of uncontrolled mob in
these areas.
7. Further to this incident, an FIR No.26/2018 dated
27.01.2018, P.S. Shopian under sections 336, 307, 302 of
Ranbir Penal Code was registered. The said police
authorities in an arbitrary exercise of power named
Petitioner‘s son as an accused therein knowing fully well
that he was not present at the place of the incident and
that the personnel so acting were doing lawful military
duty peacefully and who, by violent actions of the mob,
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
were forced to take lawful actions for protection of Govt
property without any excessive use of force.
8. It is respectfully submitted that different and diverse
versions of the incident, as published is various
newspapers/magazines, show the volatility of the situation
and make it writ large that Justice will not be meted out to
the Petitioner and his son, which will not only be in grave
violation of valuable fundamental rights guaranteed under
Articles 14 & 21 of the Constitution of India but will also
have a numbing effect on the morale of the extremely
courageous and professional Armed Forces of the Nation,
having the potential of jeopardizing the security,
sovereignty and integrity of India.
i). True typed copy of the News Article dated
28.01.2018 published in Greater Kashmir is
annexed herewith and marked as ANNEXURE P-2
[Pages
ii). True typed copy of the News Article dated
30.01.2018, titled as ―Army not to set up any inquiry
against Major Aditya‖ published in Greater Jammu
is annexed herewith and marked as ANNEXURE P-
3 [Pages
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
iii). True typed copy of the News Article dated
30.01.2018, titled as ―Major was not at Shopian
firing spot: Army sources on FIR‖ published in
rediff.com is annexed herewith and marked as
ANNEXURE P-4 [Pages
iv). True typed copy of the News Article dated
31.01.2018, titled as ―Army gives its version of
Shopian firing to J&K Police, files Counter FIR‖
published in The Wire is annexed herewith and
marked as ANNEXURE P-5 [Pages
v). True typed copy of the News Article dated
01.02.2017, titled as ―Army files its version of
Shopian firing that killed 3 civilians‖ published in
Hindustan Times is annexed herewith and marked
as ANNEXURE P-6 [Pages
vi). True typed copy of the News Article dated
06.02.2017, titled as ―DGP downplayed FIR against
Army to please political executives‖ published in
State Times is annexed herewith and marked as
ANNEXURE P-7 [Pages
Bar & Bench (www.barandbench.com)
9. It is most humbly submitted that preamble of Indian
constitution has, without any discrimination, confirmed the
security of living creature as very basic requirement of
society. It is the obligation of the State to ensure the basic
security to its citizen and non-citizen living in territory of
State. The said obligation of state can be seen from
Article 38 of Indian Constitution which reads as follows:
“Article 38: Sate to secure a social order for the
promotion of welfare of the people -
(1) The State shall strive to promote the welfare
of the people by securing and protecting as
effectively as it may a social order in which justice,
social, economic and political, shall inform all the
institutions of the national life.
(2) The State shall, in particular, strive to
minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour
to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and
opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also
amongst groups of people residing in different areas
or engaged in different vocations.”
It is further added that State, while achieving the goals set
out under said Article, delegates the authority to various
organisation for fulfilling and performing the duty in a
manner authorised by government. In this respect, role of
the all forces which are created, constituted and
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composed for the said purpose becomes very crucial.
There have been numerous situations when requirements
of trained soldier or specific situations have been felt at
various places. In other words, it will be right to regard
these statutory forces as one of the tools of government
to maintain the public order and sense of security
amongst its subjects. It will be right to contend that
anything done by the person who is constituting even a
smallest unit of government represents that government
in given capacity and thus, actions or decisions taken for
the performance of task will not be attributed towards
individual or said to be his personal act.
10. In the present matter, since involved personnel were
moving from one place to another place under the
authority of government or by the order of government,
they will be said to be performing the bonafide duty on
behalf of the government and the said move can be
categorised as a small action of the official discharge of
their duty. It cannot be said that while in the line of march
or in the process of joining, they were not under the
obligation of duty and thus, any action to complete his
voyage or journey be said to be well within the ambit of
bonafide duty of individual. In addition to this, any
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legitimate method of removing any obstacle or
impediment for completing the authorised task can be
defined as a part of charter of duty for which one should
be allowed to enjoy the same immunity which is enjoyed
by others while doing other official tasks. Furthermore, it
is reiterated that Petitioner‘s son, and other military
personnel in the convoy, were operating in an area
covered under the provisions of AFSPA. Thus, applying
this principle, it is contended that the individuals were
discharging the bonafide official duty and thus, should be
given absolute immunity against the act done for the said
purpose.
11. It is put forward before this Hon'ble Court that the
Petitioner is aggrieved that his son was named in the said
FIR, when in fact he was nowhere connected with the
incident. Notwithstanding the above fact, due importance
should be given to the fact that while performing the task
of handling the situation detrimental to social peace and
security, commander has to analyse the requirement of
force, and thus, based on the said fact, necessary degree
of force is accordingly, employed for the situation. It is
respectfully submitted that the Petitioner has been serving
in Indian Army for more than 20 years and during his
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service, he has served in the State of J&K for more than
six years in difficulty counter insurgency environment. The
Petitioner is proud to have participated in Kargil War,
1999 and for his outstanding contribution, he was
awarded by Northern Army Commander GOC-in-C
Commendation. The Petitioner has also rendered his
services in United Nations Peace keeping operations in
the year 2000. Having served for so long, framing of his
son is extremely painful to him personally, as a serving
soldier. It is, therefore, very clear that where one small
team of soldiers is assigned the responsibility to handle
disturbed and unfavourable situations, power to take
prudent decision and getting them executed by trained
soldier absolutely devolves upon local commander
commanding the team. In this situation, it is his sense of
judgment which plays an important role and accordingly,
various legitimate methods of resolving the dispute or
completing the task is carried out. His wisdom and sense
of making balance between rights of innocent and right
action on delinquents must be measured considering the
situations of scenario and thus, application of free mind
and absence of duress becomes subject of vital
importance. However, individual's prudence is subject to
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requirement of fact which is a substantial issue in this
matter but restraining the same by imposing unwarranted
boundaries will produce extremely unseen restrictions in
exercising the powers of commander. It will not only
compel them to put the life of his soldier at stake but also
lower down the confidence and decisive ability to control
the situation. This fact has to be understood in light of the
fact that there was clear absence of any malafide
intention or recklessness on the part of trained soldier and
the same can be observed from the fact that had the
intention of the personnel been otherwise, then none of
the persons so fired upon would have lived to tell the tale.
Since, the intention was to save the Army personnel and
property, the fire was inflicted only to impair and provide a
safe escape from a savage and violent mob engaged in
terrorist activity.
12. It is most humbly submitted that the Army Act 1950 is a
special act governing the Person subject to the said Act
for the maintenance of Discipline of Armed Forces.
Section 1 of Army Act when read with Section 1 of The
Code of Criminal Procedure St 1989, it is amply clear that
the provisions of Army Act 1950 has an overriding effect
over the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure in
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respect of persons subject to Army Act. Such subjection
to the Army Act is given under Section 2 of the Army Act
Section 1950. Therefore, it is amply clear that whenever,
there is a conflict between provisions of Army Act and
Code of Criminal Procedure St 1989 with respect to the
person subject to Army Act 1950, the provisions of Army
Act 1950 shall prevail. The Courts have held that all
offences, whether under the Penal Code or under any
other law, have to be invariably, inquired into, tried and
dealt with according to the provisions of the Criminal
Procedure Code. This rule is subject to the qualification
that in respect of offences under other laws, that is say,
under laws other than the Penal Code, it there be an
enactment regulating the manner or place of
investigation, inquiring into, trying or otherwise dealing
with such offences, such a special enactment will prevail
over the code of criminal procedure, unless there is a
specific provision to the contrary. (Ursola Municipality v.
REV. Relekar AIR 1970 Bom. 333 (DB); S.P.
Thiruvengadasami Naidu vs Municipal Health Office; In re
Guruviah Naidu & CO. AIR 1954 Mad. 833(DB)). Further,
Section 1 of the CrPC, makes the provision of the Code,
subject to the provisions of any special law and since the
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Army Act is a special law, it is the Code which is subject
to the provisions of the Army Act. The phrase, subject to
subjects the provisions of one statute to the provisions of
another. Where there is no clash, the phrase does
nothing. If there is collision, the phrase shows what is to
prevail. The words "subject to the provisions of the special
law" in Section 1 would mean that if there is an
irreconcilable conflict between the provisions of the CrPC
and the provisions of the Special Law, the later shall
prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. A provision of a
Special law, by its express terms, may come into conflict
with a provision of the CrPC wholly or in part; the said
provision in a special law may also be necessary
implication, come into direct conflict with the provisions of
the CrPC. Whatever it may be, once inconsistency is spelt
out, the provisions of the Special Law shall prevail as has
been held by this Hon'ble Court in South India
Corporation (P) Ltd. V. Secretary. Board of Revenue,
Trivandrum, AIR 1964 SC 207. As decided by this Hon‘ble
Court in the case of Major EG Barsay V. State of Bombay,
AIR 1961 SC 1762 that the provisions of the Army Act
apply to offences committed by Army personnel described
in Section 2 of the Act; it creates new offences with
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specified punishments, imposes higher punishments to
pre-existing offences, and enables civil offences by fiction
to be created as offences under the Act. Further, in Ajmer
Singh v Union of India AIR 1987 SC 1646, this Hon‘ble
Court has held that the relevant chapters of the Army Act
embody a self contained comprehensive code specifying
the various offences under the Act and prescribing the
procedure for detention and custody of offenders,
investigation and trial of offenders by Court Martial, the
punishment to be awarded for various offences,
confirmation and revision of sentences imposed by Court
Martial etc. The Army Act is, therefore, a special law
conferring special jurisdiction and powers on Court Martial
and prescribes a special form of procedure for the trial of
offences under the Army Act. The effect of Section 5 of
CrPC is to render the provisions of CrPC inapplicable in
respect of all matters covered by such special law.
13. Thus having established that the Army Act is a special law
and, therefore, would invariably prevail over all others, let
us now examine the provisions of law as applicable to the
Armed Forces serving in the State of Jammu and
Kashmir:-
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Section 70 Army Act, 1950:
―Civil offence not triable by court-martial:
A person subject to this Act who commits an offence
of murder against a person not subject to
military, naval or air force law, or of culpable
homicide not amounting to murder against such a
person or of rape in relation to such a person, shall
not be deemed to be guilty of an offence against this
Act and shall not be tried by a court-martial, unless
he commits any of the said offences-
(a) while on active service, or
(b) at any place outside India, or
(c) at a frontier post specified by the Central
Government by notification in this behalf."
14. In the instant case, the army personnel concerned was
accused for an offence triable under the Army Act that is
committing culpable homicide amounting to murder of a
person not subject to military, naval or air force law while
on active service. Therefore, the offence that is alleged to
have been committed is not a civil offence but is clearly,
an offence triable under the Army Act. It is, therefore, very
alarming and incomprehensible as to how the name of
Petitioner‘s son or for that matter the name of any serving
personnel can be so expressly cited in First Information
Report recording an incident in which the Army as an
instrument of the Central Government was lawfully
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conducting itself. Does this act of the police authorities
symbolise their loss of faith in the legitimacy of the
activities carried out by the Armed Forces? Have they
forgotten that the orders so received by the Army stem
from the same source from which they receive theirs? (i.e.
the Constitution of India).
15. In furtherance to above, it is also submitted before
Hon'ble Court that legislature has enacted various
provisions under general procedural codes which lay
down the necessary provisions for investigating and
apprehending the accused or person against whom
credible information of commission of offense is received.
In this respect it is submitted that Chapter XIV of the
Code of Criminal Procedure, Svt. contains all the
provisions where information about commission on
offense is communicated to the local police authority who
in turn will take appropriate action against the person
involved or suspected to be involved in the commission
on offense. In this respect, it is respectfully mentioned
that police authority has shown extremely biasness while
registering the FIR against the person specific and
absolutely ignored the requirement of carrying out basic
investigation of the complaint. Additionally, no action
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against all those persons who were forming the part of
unruly mob was taken by the authority and thus,
conducted on spot adjudication of matter without taking
any cognisance against the action of mob. Hence this
petition against the biased approach and irresponsible
action of police authority towards military forces.
16. In the case at hand, as already brought out above, the
Army personnel upon being attacked by the unlawful
assembly retaliated for the protection of themselves as
well as property of the Government of India (the military
vehicles) which resulted in the death of two civilians. As
per Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers
Act 1990, the said personnel are empowered under the
said enactment to use appropriate force for the purpose
of dispersal of unruly mobs in disturbed areas and are in
turn protected from prosecution under Section 6 for acting
in Good Faith. However, important point which requires
consideration is whether the armed forces can use given
power under the act only in the places which have been
declared to be "Disturbed Place" as defined under
Section 03. In order to find logical answer of the question,
said provision of the Act is reproduced and examined as
below:-
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Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Powers
Act, 1990:
Section 2 (b). "disturbed area" means "an area
which is for the time being declared by notification
under section 3 to be a disturbed area by the
Central Government or the Governor of the State by
notification in the official Gazette."
Section 3. Power to declare areas to be disturbed
areas:- If, in relation to the State of Jammu and
Kashmir, the Governor of the State or the Central
Government, is of the opinion that the whole or any
part of the State is in such a disturbed and
dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in
aid of civil power is necessary to prevent –
(a) activities involving terrorist acts directed
towards overawing the Government as by law
established or striking terror in the people or
any section of the people, of alienating any
section of the people or adversely affecting
the harmony among different sections of the
people;
(b) activities directed towards disclaiming,
questioning or disrupting the sovereign and
territorial integrity of India or bringing about
cession of a part of the territory of India or
secession of a part of the territory of India
from the Union or causing insult to the Indian
National Flag, Indian National Anthem and the
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Constitution of India, the Governor of the
State or the Central Government, may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, declare the
whole or any part of the State to be a
disturbed Area.
Explanation— In this section, "terrorist act"
has the same meaning as in Explanation to
article 248 of the Constitution of India as
applicable to the State of Jammu and
Kashmir.‖
Here, it is very humbly submitted to this Hon'ble Court
that the provision has laid down the circumstances in the
presence of which appropriate authority declares the
whole or part of the state to be disturbed area. It is also
observed from the language that the provision has not
provided any specific kind of act to be terrorist act against
which the said power can be exercised. In the absence of
such definition, one can resort upon the definition of
"Terrorist act" as provided under Section 2(k) and Section
15 of The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Said
provisions are mentioned as follows:-
Section 2. Definitions — (1) In this Act, unless the
context otherwise requires,—
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(k) "terrorist act" has the meaning assigned to it
in section 15, and the expressions "terrorism" and
"terrorist" shall be construed accordingly;
Section 15. Terrorist act –
(1) Whoever does any act with intent to threaten
or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security,
economic security, or sovereignty of India or with
intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the
people or any section of the people in India or in
any foreign country, —
(a) by using bombs, dynamite or other
explosive substances or inflammable
substances or firearms or other lethal
weapons or poisonous or noxious gases or
other chemicals or by any other substances
(whether biological radioactive, nuclear or
otherwise) of a hazardous nature or by any
other means of whatever nature to cause or
likely to cause — (i) death of or injuries to, any
person or persons; or (ii) loss of or damage to,
or destruction of property; or (iii) disruption of
any supplies or services essential to the life of
the community in India or in any foreign
country; or (iiia) damage to, the monetary
stability of India by way of production or
smuggling or circulation of high quality
counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or of
any other material; or (iv) damage or
destruction of any property in India or in a
foreign country used or intended to be used
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for the defence of India or in connection with
any other purposes of the Government of
India, any State Government or any of their
agencies; or
(b) overawes by means of criminal force or
the show of criminal force or attempts to do so
or causes death of any public functionary or
attempts to cause death of any public
functionary; or
(c) detains, kidnaps or abducts any person
and threatens to kill or injure such person or
does any other act in order to compel the
Government of India, any State Government
or the Government of a foreign country or an
international or inter-governmental organisation
or any other person to do or abstain from
doing any act; or commits a terrorist act.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub-
section,— (a) "public functionary" means the
constitutional authorities or any other
functionary notified in the Official Gazette by
the Central Government as public functionary;
(c) "high quality counterfeit Indian currency"
means the counterfeit currency as may be
declared after examination by an authorised
or notified forensic authority that such
currency imitates or compromises with the key
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security features as specified in the Third
Schedule.
(2) The terrorist act includes an act which
constitutes an offence within the scope of and as
defined in any of the treaties specified in the
Second Schedule.
Thus, it is to be perceived from the above definition that
any act which is done with intent to threaten or likely to
threaten the unity, integrity, security, economic security, or
sovereignty of India by any means or substances of a
hazardous nature or by any other means of whatever
nature which tends to cause or likely to cause death of, or
injuries to, any person or persons or loss of, or damage
to, or destruction of, property or causes the death of any
public functionary or attempts to cause death of any
public functionary will be said to be terrorist activity.
Reading the language of said provision alongwith
provisions of Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir)
Special Powers Act 1990 gives absolute idea of what
amounts to terrorist act and thus, validates the action
taken by Armed forces under the Section 04 of the Armed
Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act 1990.
In this regard, powers given under Section 04 of Armed
Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act 1990
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can be analysed and the same can be reproduced as
follows:
Section 4. Special powers of the armed forces:-
Any commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-
commissioned officer or any other person of
equivalent rank in the armed forces may, in a
disturbed area, —
(a) if he is of opinion that it is necessary so to do
for the maintenance of public order, after
giving such due warning as he may consider
necessary, fire upon or otherwise use force,
even to the causing of death, against any
person who is acting in contravention of any
law or order for the time being in force in the
disturbed area prohibiting the assembly of five
or more persons or the carrying of weapons or
of things capable of being used as weapons
or of fire-arms, ammunition or explosive
substances;
(b) if he is of opinion that it is necessary so to do,
destroy any arms dump, prepared or fortified
position or shelter from which armed attacks
are made or are likely to be made or are
attempted to be made, or any structure used
as a training camp for armed volunteers or
utilised as a hide-out by armed gangs or
absconders wanted for any;
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(c) arrest, without warrant, any person who has
committed a cognizable or against whom a
reasonable suspicion exists that he has
committed or is about to commit a cognizable
and may use such force as may be necessary
to effect the arrest;
(d) enter and search, without warrant, any
premises to make any such arrest as
aforesaid or to recover any person believed to
be wrongfully restrained or confined or any
property reasonably suspected to be stolen
property or any arms, ammunition or explosive
substances believed to be unlawfully kept in
such premises, and may for that purpose use
such force as may be necessary, and seize
any such property, arms, ammunition or
explosive substances;
(e) stop, search and seize any vehicle or vessel
reasonably suspected to be carrying any
person who is a proclaimed offender, or any
person who has committed a non-cognizable ,
or against whom a reasonable suspicion
exists that he has committed or is about to
commit a non-cognizable , or any person who
is carrying any arms, ammunition or explosive
substance believed to be unlawfully held by
him, and may, for that purpose, use such force
as may be necessary to effect such stoppage,
search or seizure, as the case may be.
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Here expression ―against any person who is acting
in contravention of any law or order for the time
being in force" is required to be examined
considering the facts of present case. It appears
from reading of this expression that Section 04
Clause (a) enables specific category of persons to
use such degree of forces against those persons
only who are observed or involved in the activity
which is either in contravention of law or order for
the time being in force. Now, it becomes subjective
fact to give specific definition of ibid expression and
thus, any action which causes or likely to cause any
kind of illegitimate injury to person, property or both
must be construed as action in contravention of law
or order. Giving further extension to above
definition, it can also be said that an act of the
individual which is inconsistent with established
procedure of law must be taken as action in
contravention of law and thus, remedial measures
adopted to curb such action by statutorily
constituted forces must be regarded in consonance
with law. In addition to this it is also equally
important to read the said interpretation alongwith
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term ―for the time being in force‖ which authorises
the person in specific to apply its prudence as per
the situation and to issue necessary orders to
suppress the act done in contravention of order for
the time being in force. Important fact which needs
to be considered in these circumstances is that
there is no specific laid down parameters when an
action of individual will be regarded as action in
contravention of law and order and thus, intention of
legislature becomes very apparent so far as it
warrants the employment of degree and amount of
force. It has given absolute discretion to the person
who is in charge of or commanding the group of
statutory force who is expected to employ that much
degree of means and force which is sufficient
enough to lower down the action in question. Since
rational employment of force can be determined
only after considering the true scenario of
disturbance and thus, the fact that how much
amount of force should be used can be said to be at
the discretion of commander on ground.
17. Thus, form the above it is clear that the Army personnel
so acting and the manner in which they so acted are
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within the confines of the protection available under the
Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act
1990. The military vehicles formed part of a convoy which
was on lawfully military duty. The said vehicles were
isolated by an unruly and unlawful assembly of people
within the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is declared
as a disturbed area for the purpose of applicability of the
provisions of the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir)
Special Powers Act 1990. When it was deemed essential
to disperse the said unlawful assembly which was
engaged in criminal activities of causing damage to
property of the Government of India as well as causing
apprehension of grievous hurt and murder to Army
personnel, a warning to the effect that fire will be opened
was issued to the unlawful assembly. When they refused
to disperse rather increased their violence, and began
lynching the Junior Commissioned Officer, warning shots
were fired. These were followed by effective fire when the
unlawful assembly reached a level of criminality beyond
basic human reason and were incapable of arriving at an
understanding with. It is important to note that neither the
police agencies on ground nor the local governing
authorities made any attempts to pacify the unlawful
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assembly or disperse them. The Army was left to fend for
itself without any assistance from neither the said police
agencies on ground nor the local governing authorities.
18. That in spite of clear laws on the subject the police
authorities for whatever reasons have still yet not taken
cognizance of these heinous s committed by the civilian
population of Shopian. These heinous s were targeted to
the functionaries of the Central Government performing
lawful orders conferred upon them by law by the Central
Government. It is very disturbing to note that in spite of
being servants of the Union, our Armed Forces Personnel
get no protection and safeguards to which they are
rightfully entitled to. Time and again the personnel of the
Armed Forces of India have to carry out various
operations in inhospitable terrain, weather and within
hostile local populations. The errant behavior on the part
of the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is
directly proportional to the lawlessness and absolute
disregard to the safety and protection of the Armed
Forces functioning in the State.
19. In Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights v. Union of
India AIR 1998 SC 431, this Hon‘ble Court analysed the
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provisions relating to the activities of Armed Forces in
disturbed areas as under:-
The term ―disturbed area‖ defies any definition. A
disturbed area has to be adjudged according to
location, situation and circumstances of particular
case. As the term implies, only such area would be
disturbed area where there is absence of peace and
tranquillity. A disturbed area is such in which
disorder of such a type is in existence that it may be
regarded as a public order problem. Also, the extent
of the disturbed area is confined to the area in which
the situation is such that it cannot be handled
without seeking the aid of the armed forces. For an
area to be declared as ‗disturbed area‘ there must
exist a grave situation of law and order on the basis
of which the Governor/Administrator of the State/
Union Territory or the Central Government can form
an opinion that area is in such a disturbed or
dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in
aid of the civil power is necessary. Therefore it
cannot, therefore, be said that an arbitrary and
unguided power has been conferred in the matter of
declaring an area as disturbed area. The Act in
question the said case law is in pari material to the
provisions of Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir)
Special Powers Act 1990.
20. Further in General Officer Commanding v. CBI (Criminal
Appeal No.257 of 2011), this Hon‘ble Court held that the
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question of sanction is of paramount importance for
protecting a public servant who has acted in good faith
while performing his duty. In order that the public servant
may not be unnecessarily harassed on a complaint of an
unscrupulous person, it is obligatory on the part of the
executive authority to protect him. However, there must
be a discernible connection between the act complained
of and the powers and duties of the public servant. The
act complained of may fall within the description of the
action purported to have been done in performing the
official duty. Therefore, if the alleged act or omission of
the public servant can be shown to have reasonable
connection inter-relationship or inseparably connected
with discharge of his duty, he becomes entitled for
protection of sanction. If the law requires sanction, and
the court proceeds against a public servant without
sanction, the public servant has a right to raise the issue
of jurisdiction as the entire action may be rendered void
ab initio for want of sanction which is the same as the
condition in the present case where prior sanction was
not obtained by the CBI. The Legislature has conferred
―absolute power‖ on the statutory authority to accord
sanction or withhold the same and the court has no role in
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this subject. In such a situation the court would not
proceed without sanction of the competent statutory
authority. Thus, stating the above reasons, the Court has
come to the conclusion that the sanction of the Central
Government is required in the facts and circumstances of
the case and the court concerned lacks jurisdiction to take
cognizance unless sanction is granted by the Central
Government.
21. It is respectfully further submitted to Hon‘ble Court that
that all personnel who are commissioned or enrolled
under the regular or other forces holds their office under
the pleasure of president and thus, they will be said to be
commissioned and enrolled for serving to the well-
established government in public servant capacity. Same
can be seen from Section 18 of the Army Act, 1950 as
well as Article 310 of Indian Constitution. The said
provisions read as follows:-
Section 18 Army Act, 1950:
Tenure of service under the Act—
Every person subject to this Act shall hold office
during the pleasure of the President.
Article 310 of Indian Constitution:
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(1) Except as expressly provided by this
Constitution, every person who is a member of a
defence service or of a civil service of the Union or
of an all-India service or holds any post connected
with defence or any civil post under the Union holds
office during the pleasure of the President, and
every person who is a member of a civil service of a
State or holds any civil post under a State holds
office during the pleasure of the Governor of the
State.
(2) Notwithstanding that a person holding a civil
post under the Union or a State holds office during
the pleasure of the President or, as the case may
be, of the Governor 1 *** of the State, any contract
under which a person, not being a member of a
defence service or of an all-India service or of a civil
service of the Union or a State, is appointed under
this Constitution to hold such a post may, if the
President or the Governor 2 ***, as the case may
be, deems it necessary in order to secure the
services of a person having special qualifications,
provide for the payment to him of compensation, if
before the expiration of an agreed period that post is
abolished or he is, for reasons not connected with
any misconduct on his part, required to vacate that
post.
It is most humbly submitted that since the personnel holds
their office during the pleasure of president for rendering
necessary military services to the union, they will be said
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to be holding the designation under the authority of
government and thus said to be public servant for
discharging all official responsibility. In this respect
Section 21 of Indian Penal Code and corresponding
section of Ranbir Penal Code has to be seen which read
as follows:
Section 21. Ranbir Penal Code:
Public Servant:
The words "public servant" denote a person falling
under any of the descriptions hereinafter following
namely:-
First.- Every Civil servant of the State;
Second.- Every Commissioned officer in the military,
naval or airforce of India;
Third.- Every Judge including any person
empowered by law to discharge, whether by himself
or as a member of any body of persons, any ad
judicatory functions;
Fourth.- Every officer of a Court of Justice (including
a liquidator, receiver of commissioner) whose duty it
is, as such officer, to investigate or report on any
matter of law or fact, or to make, authenticate, or
keep any document, or to take charge or dispose of
any property, or to execute any judicial process, or
to administer any oath, or to interpret, or to preserve
order in the Court; and every person specially
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authorized by a Court of Justice to prefer any of
such duties;
Fifth.- Every juryman, assessor or member of a
panchayat assisting a Court of Justice or public
servant;
Sixth.- Every arbitrator or other person to whom any
cause or matter has been referred for decision or
report by any Court of Justice, or by any other
competent public authority;
Seventh.- Every person who holds any office by
virtue of which he is empowered to place or keep
any person in confinement;
Eighth.- Every officer of Government whose duty it
is, as such officer, to prevent s, to give information
of s, to bring offenders to justice, or to protect the
public health, safety or convenience;
Ninth.- Every officer whose duty it is, as such officer,
to take, receive, keep or expend any property on
behalf of the Government or to make any survey,
assessment or contract on behalf of the
Government or to execute any revenue-process, or
to investigate or to report on any matter affecting the
pecuniary interests of the Government or to make,
authenticate or keep any document relating to the
pecuniary interests of the Government, or to prevent
the infraction of any law for the protection of the
pecuniary interests of the Government, and every
officer in the service or pay of the Government, or
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remunerated by fees or commission for the
performance of any public duty;
Tenth.- Every officer whose duty it is, as such officer,
to take, receive, keep or expend any property, to
make any survey or assessment or to levy any rate
or tax for any secular common purpose of any
village, town or district, or to make, authenticate or
keep any document for the ascertaining of the rights
of the people of any village, town or district;
Eleventh.- Every servant under the Government of
India who is posted, and when he is performing his
legitimate duties, within the State;
Twelfth.- Every servant of the Department of
Devasthan;
Thirteenth.- Every person who holds any office in
virtue of which he is empowered to prepare, publish,
maintain or revise an electoral roll or to conduct an
election or part of an election;
Fourteenth.- Every officer or servant employed by a
Municipal Committee, Town Area Committee,
Notified Area Committee, Panchayat, Cooperative
Society or Co-operative Bank whether for the whole
or part of his time, and every member of such
committee, society or bank;
Fifteenth.- Every officer or servant, and every
member (Joy whatever name called) of a
corporation engaged in trade or industry or of any
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other autonomous body which is established by an
Act of the State Legislature or of a Government
company as defined in any law for the time being in
force in the State.
Sixteenth.- Every Officer or servant including
medical or Para-medical staff of the Sher-i-Kashmir
institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar.
Explanation 1.- Persons falling under any of the
above descriptions are public servants, whether
appointed by the Government or not.
Explanation 2.- Wherever the words "public servant"
occur, they shall be understood of every person who
is in actual possession of the situation of a public
servant whatever legal defect there may be in his
right to hold that situation.
Explanation 3.- The word "election" denotes an
election for the purpose of selecting members of any
legislative, municipal or other public authority, of
whatever character, the method of selection to
which is by, or under, any law prescribed as by
election.
Explanation 4.- The expression 'Corporation
engaged in any trade or industry includes a banking,
insurance or financial corporation.
It has to be observed in light of the above provisions that
all commissioned officers of the Indian armed forces fall
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within the definition of public servant and thus provision
and immunity related and provided to public servant
against criminal proceedings will be equally available to
them. In this respect it is also important to look into all the
provisions under general criminal code which lays down
the various privileges enjoyed by public servant and thus,
be liable to be extended to the commissioned officer of
Armed forces. Relevant provisions for the same are as
follows:-
Section 45 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973:
Protection of members of the Armed Forces from
arrest-
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in
sections 41 to 44 (both inclusive), no member of the
Armed Forces of the Union shall be arrested for
anything done or purported to be done by him in the
discharge of his official duties except after obtaining
the consent of the Central Government (2) The
State Government may, by notification, direct that
the provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply to such
class or category of the members of the Force
charged with the maintenance of public order as
may be specified therein, wherever they may be
serving, and thereupon the provisions of that sub-
section shall apply as if for the expression "Central
Government" occurring therein, the expression
"State Government" were substituted.
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Section 197 of Code of Criminal Procedure. Svt
1989:
Prosecution of Judges and public servants:
(1) When any person who is Judge within the
meaning of section 19 of the Ranbir Penal Code or
when any Magistrate, or when any public servant
who is not removable from his office save by or with
the sanction of the State Government or the
Government of India, is accused of any alleged to
have been committed by him while acting or
purporting to act in the discharge of his official
duties, no Court shall take cognizance of such
except with the previous sanction—(a)in the case of
persons employed in connection with the affairs of
the Union, of the Government of India; and(b)in the
case of persons employed in connection with the
affairs of the State, of the Government.
(2) The Government of India or the State
Government, as the case may be, may determine
the person by whom, the manner in which, the or s
for which, the prosecution of such Judge, Magistrate
or public servant is to be conducted, and may
specify the Court before which the trial is to be held.
It is to be observed from above laid provisions that every
commissioned officer by his commissioning holds the duty
of public servant and thus, all immunities provided under
Section 197 of both the codes will also be extended to the
armed forces personnel. Thus, it will be apt to put forward
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that taking the sanction before initiating the criminal
proceedings or any prosecution is sine qua non which
cannot be dispensed by giving any lame excuse at all. In
this respect it is also submitted that well established
statute has catered for all kinds of contingencies and
thus, excuse of existence of emergence situation created
by local people in agitation should not compel the civil
authority to deviate from the rules. It will not be legal to
confine or take action against a public servant without
following the due process of law just to avoid the heat of
the situation as the same will cause more detrimental
effect upon the moral and efficiency of the organization in
whole.
22. In the instant case, the Army personnel involved were
performing a bonafide military duty in Jammu and
Kashmir which, as already stated, amounts to active
service. In this regards, wording of apex court in the case
of R. Balakrishna Pillai v. State of Kerala & Anr. AIR 1996
SC 901 has to be considered which while defined the
word official duty, said that expression ―official duty‖
implies that the act or omission must have been done by
the public servant in the course of his service and that it
should have been done in discharge of his duty. The
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section does not extend its protective cover to every act
or omission done by a public servant in service but
restricts its scope of operation to only those acts or
omissions which are done by a public servant in
discharge of official duty. If on facts, therefore, it is prima
facie found that the act or omission for which the accused
was charged had reasonable connection with discharge
of his duty...‖ Thus, the civil authorities if they are desirous
of prosecuting the said individual, would require the
sanction of the Central Government and such sanction
was ruled in State of Punjab & Anr. v. Mohammed labal
Bhatti. (2009) 17 SCC to be required in the following
circumstance, ―In fact, the issue of sanction becomes a
question of paramount importance when a public servant
is alleged to have acted beyond his authority or his acts
complained of are in dereliction of the duty. In such an
eventuality, if the is alleged to have been committed by
him while acting or purporting to act in discharge of his
official duty, grant of prior sanction becomes imperative.‖
23. It is humbly added to above that similar provisions is also
provided under Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir)
Special Power Act, 1990 which is found to be special
enactment on the subject and thus have overriding effect
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upon other general codes and laws of land. Similar
provision under the act is as follows:-
Section 07, Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir)
Special Power Act, 1990:
Protection of persons acting in good faith under this
Act. — No prosecution, suit or other legal
proceeding shall be instituted, except with the
previous sanction of the Central Government,
against any person in respect of anything done or
purported to be done in exercise of the powers
conferred by this Act.
Here, terms ―Prosecution‖ and ―other legal proceeding‖
must be analysed in light of general procedure of criminal
proceeding. It is found that when any crime is committed,
it is committed against the society and thus it is the first
day when an individual becomes liable for his action. In
other words, it is contended that person becomes partially
liable from the date of commission of offence and then
criminal proceedings such as filing of FIR under Section
154 and investigation takes place subsequently under
Chapter-XIV under Cr. P.C. Svt, 1989 and Chapter-XII
under Cr. P.C., 1973. Thus, it is to be considered that
criminal proceeding is said to begin from the time when
an information about commission of offence is received
by proper authority and accordingly, pre-requisite of
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making the case for titling as other legal proceeding is
fulfilled.
24. In furtherance to above, another important fact which has
already been relied upon and mentioned in preceding
paragraph is that Section 07 gives absolute immunity to
action or act which is done under good faith. Although this
enactment has not provided the real meaning of term
good faith and thus definition can be borrowed from
Section 52 of Indian Penal Code which reads out as
follows:
Section 52: Indian Penal Code/Ranbir Penal Code:
Nothing is said to be done or believed in good faith
which is done or believed without due care and
attention"
If we examine the intention of the legislature reflected
from this provision, we find that the legislature has
expected from the doer to adopt and ensure the required
degree of care and attention while performing the duty or
carrying out the action. Thus, any act which was done
after ensuring all aspects of care and attention for the
work which is or may be proportionate to the situation will
be sufficient enough to afford good ground of defense to
the person. However, it is also observed from the
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language of this provision that in order to prosecute the
doer of any action which is within the ambit of this act,
prior permission of central government is mandatory and
thus, clear intention of legislature has to be inferred from
the language of the provision which mandates it to be one
of the pre-requisite for prosecution of person. It provides a
compulsion factor to all authority to be bound by statutory
language of act and thus any deviation from the said
requirement will amount to illegal method of causing
mental and psychological harassment to individuals.
25. It is of paramount importance as from the current
happenings it is becoming more and more evident that
the police agencies are influenced by a host of
extraneous agencies. This influence is damaging and is
rising at an alarming level. The frequencies of such
atrocities against serving personnel of the Armed Forces
of India operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir are
increasing day by day. The important fact of consideration
is that there has been voluntarily omission on the part of
state civil authorities who were present on spot and did
not take any interest in controlling or handling the
situation and thus, allowed the situation to become worst.
Pro-active participation in regulating the crowd could have
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been adopted by the local authorities, however no heed
towards this was paid by police and other civil authority.
This has also compelled the army authorities to take the
proper recourse of law and thus, after having given
sufficient warning to crowd, necessary measures were
adopted. Mentioned incident confirms the fact of non-
functioning of local police authorities which not only gives
an impression of poor law and order situation in state but
also increases the frequency of such kind of incident in
near future. The same must be brought within the
knowledge of appropriate authority. Hence this petition. In
this respect kind attention of this Hon‘ble Court has to be
drawn on various provision given under Chapter XIII of
Criminal Procedure Code, Svt. 1989 which are as follows:
Section 149. Police to prevent cognizable offences:
Every police officer may interpose for the purpose of
preventing, and shall, to the best of his ability,
prevent, the commission of any cognizable.
Section 151. Arrest to prevent such offences:
A police officer knowing of a design to commit any
cognizable may arrest, without orders from a
Magistrate and without a warrant, the person so
designing, if it appears to such officer that the
commission of the cannot be otherwise prevented.
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Section 152. Prevention of injury to public property:
A police officer may of his own authority interpose to
prevent any injury attempted to be committed in his
view to any public property, movable, or immovable,
or the removal or injury of any public landmark or
other mark used for navigation.
It is considerable fact that the police authority is always
under obligation to respond and take necessary means to
prevent the commission of offence which is either taking
pace or about to take place in close vicinity. However, in
the present matter, no action was taken by the local
authorities inspite of knowing the high degree of
probability of occurrence of such incidents. However,
police authority did not pay any heed towards the gradual
gathering of crowd and thus, unjustified the passive role
of their organization in ensuring and maintain the law and
order.
26. That in spite of clear laws and judicial pronouncements,
the name of Petitioner‘s son was wrongly entered into the
said FIR with neither any legal basis nor any justification.
It is perfectly justifiable therefore, for the Army as a whole
as well as the families of each and every serving soldier
to feel that they are being treated as dispensable pawns
in the game played by the various political entities
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operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir who in turn
are influencing the police agencies to issue such arbitrary
First Information Reports against serving personnel of the
Armed Forces of India operating in the State of Jammu
and Kashmir.
27. That the said local police/civil authorities have still not
taken cognizance of the criminal activities of the public
when they were stone pelting the Army vehicle and
attempting to take the life of a Serving Junior
Commissioned Officer. Such criminal activities when not
taken cognizance of is an indication to the subversive
elements within the State of Jammu and Kashmir that
their atrocities against the Army will not only go
unpunished but will not even be taken cognizance of. It is
common knowledge that the Army during OP MEGH
RAHAT i.e. during the Poonch floods when the Army was
the sole agency rescuing people affected and bringing
them to safety faced stone pelting, anti national
sloganeering and other terrorist activity from the general
public. It is also evident that any activity taken on by the
Army for the good and betterment of the common man of
the State of Jammu and Kashmir gets the worst form of
abuse and terrorism from the public in the State. This is in
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direct consequence to the lackadaisical approach taken
on by the civilian authorities against the terrorists and
unruly elements who go scot free and face no
ramifications. The Petitioner submits that for the past
twenty years he has remained a passive observer of the
happenings in the State of Jammu and Kashmir vis-à-vis
actions taken by the State Government. For the past
twenty years there has been a complete disregard of the
efforts taken by the Armed Forces in the State by the
political set up in an attempt to please the greater public.
For far too long we have watched helplessly as the
deaths of countless of young brave soldiers have gone in
vain because of the weak stance taken by the local
Government. Now, when the wound has hit the Petitioner
so close to his heart in the form of his own son, the
Petitioner feels that the time has come to seek a remedy
to this gross injustice.
28. It is towards this very end that the Petitioner seeks that
the following questions be put to the competent
authorities and a clarification may be issued in this
behalf:-
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I. Whether serving personnel of the Armed Forces of
India operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir
can be held individually for acts done in good faith
in pursuance to orders passed by the Central
Government?
II. Whether serving personnel of the Armed Forces of
India operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir
warrant no protection from the terrorist atrocities
committed against them by the people of Jammu
and Kashmir?
III. Whether serving personnel of the Armed Forces of
India operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir
are perceived as enemies of State agencies and
therefore will always be regard as villains and not
given any protection?
IV. Whether serving personnel of the Armed Forces of
India operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir
do not deserve the same dignity and respect
commanded by other belted officials of both Central
and State agencies operating in the State of Jammu
and Kashmir?
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V. Whether the terms of engagement followed by
serving personnel of the Armed Forces of India
operating in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in
dealing with unlawful assemblies and other terrorist
organizations towards the protection and reverence
of the sovereignty and integrity of India is not
perceived to be justified by law and therefore
individual personnel will find their names individually
figuring in First Information Reports filed by the
unlawful elements themselves?
VI. Whether the life, limb and property of serving
personnel of the Armed Forces of India operating in
the State of Jammu and Kashmir are of no value to
the State agencies?
VII. Whether the Arbitrary exercise of executive power
in the State of Jammu and Kashmir against serving
personnel of the Armed Forces of India operating
therein warrants no separate investigation?
VIII. Why the State Govt till date not lodged FIR against
them unruly and violent mob under Sec 2K read
with Sec 15 of the unlawful activity (prevention)Act
when this Act is well defined in the ibid Sec as an
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offence. Whether the terrorist activity committed by
the civilian population of Shopian will not be duly
registered as a First information Report and be duly
investigated ensuring that the terrorists involved are
brought to justice?
29. That the Petitioner has not filed any other petition before
this Hon‘ble Court or any other Court of Law with regard
to the subject matter of this petition.
30. That there is no other alternative and equally efficacious
remedy available to the Petitioner, except approaching
this Hon‘ble Court, by way of this Writ Petition to meet the
ends of justice.
PRAYER
In light of the submissions made above, the Petitioner prays
that this Hon‘ble Court may be pleased to:
(i) issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ
quashing the FIR No.26/2018 dated 27.01.2018,
P.S. Shopian under sections 336, 307, 302 of
Ranbir Penal Code, being against the mandate of
law and being solely targeted at attacking soldiers in
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exercise of their bonafide duties of upholding the
dignity of Indian Flag;
(ii) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate
writ directing the Respondents to desist from
engaging in such arbitrary exercises of executive
power which impairs the normal and bonafide
functioning of the Army in the area;
(iii) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate
writ directing the Respondent authorities to issue
guidelines to protect the rights of soldiers so that no
soldier is harassed by initiation of criminal
proceedings for bonafide actions in exercise of their
duties, as mandated by the Union of India, in
protection of sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the
Country;
(iv) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate
writ directing that adequate compensation is
provided to the effected serving personnel and their
families, who have been unnecessarily embroiled in
malafide criminal proceedings in discharge of their
bonafide duties;
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(v) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate
writ directing the local Police authorities to register a
First Information Report against the persons
involved in the terrorist activities which had caused
damage to property of the Government of India and
placed the lives of functionaries of the Central
Government in grave peril while discharging duties
as ordered by the Central Government;
Alternatively,
issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate
writ directing that investigation be carried out in
another state with independent and unbiased
investigating agencies;
(vi) any other appropriate writ/order/direction as this
Hon‘ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts
and circumstances of the case.
AND FOR THIS ACT OF KINDNESS PETITIONER, AS IN
DUTY BOUND, SHALL EVER PRAY.
DRAWN & FILED BY: DRAWN ON: .02.2