Sunday, June 4, 2023

Essential elements of Crime

 

Elements of Crime

The main criminal laws in India include the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure Code. People often refer to these three as general laws. Apart from these three laws, we also have other laws that relate to specific kinds of offences.

For example, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act deals with particular financial crimes. Even other laws that do not specifically regulate crimes, like the Companies Act, contain some offences and penalties.

The most important thing common in all these laws is that they contain certain basic elements. The following are four basic elements of crime:

1.   Accused person

2.   Mens rea

3.   Actus reus

4.   Injury

1. Accused person

No crime can ever occur out of thin air because that would simply be an accident. In order to constitute a crime, it is important for somebody to commit it. The law should always be able to pinpoint the person who is responsible for committing an offence.

The term accused “person” does not suggest that only a human being can commit offences. According to Section 11 of IPC, the term “person” also includes a company and an association or body of persons. Therefore, even a trust, an NGO and a public company can commit offences.

Furthermore, certain offences can implicate more than one person for the same crime. In such cases, all persons will face trial and may have to face punishment together.

2. Mens rea

A mere person will never commit a crime unless he possesses some intention to commit it. The law generally refers to this intention as mens rea, which means “guilty mind” in Latin.

The term mens rea has been derived from a famous Latin maxim: Actus non factit reum nesi mens sit rea. This basically means that an act cannot be guilty if it does not accompany a guilty mind.

The element of mens rea itself comprises of certain inherent elements. These include intention, motive or knowledge. Which of these elements must exist in order to constitute an offence generally depends on the relevant provisions. 

For example, Section 300 of IPC contains various kinds of acts which amount to the offence of murder. These acts may include an act done with the “intention” of causing bodily injury sufficient to cause death.

Furthermore, it also includes an act of which the offender has “knowledge” of it being imminently dangerous. Therefore. we need to look at the relevant provisions to understand what kind of intention is necessary.

Crimes in the absence of mens rea

Although mens rea is an essential element of crime, some offences can occur without it. For example, Section 304-A of IPC makes death by negligence a criminal offence. In such cases, a “negligent act” would not include the intention to cause death. However, negligence or mistake itself is sufficient to constitute a crime.

3. Actus reus

Merely possessing a guilty mind and thinking of committing a crime is not enough. The accused person must also act on that intention and do something in its furtherance. Actus reus basically refers to an act or omission which leads to the completion of an offence. Both mens rea, as well as actus reus, together are important to create an offence.

Actus reus can be a positive act, such as stabbing a person to cause his death. It can also be an omission (failure) to perform an action. For example, driving a vehicle without a driving license is an omission.

4. Injury

The last of the basic elements of crime is an injury. There can be no crime if no person faces some kind of an injury. According to Section 44 of IPC, “injury” means any harm caused to a person illegally either in mind, body, reputation or property.

However, there can be some crimes which might not require injuries to anybody. For example, driving without a driving license is a crime even if it may not harm anybody.

 


Section 6 of Indian Penal Code

 Section 6 IPC specifically states that, “Throughout this code  every definition of an offence, every penal provision, and every illustration of every such definition or penal provision, shall be understood subject to the exceptions contained in the Chapter entitled “General Exceptions”, though those exceptions are not repeated in such definition, penal provision, or illustration.

Further, the Code also provides for some illustrations which help in better understanding the scope of IPC 6. These illustrations are as follows:

  1. The sections, in this code, which contain definitions of offences, do not express that a child under seven years of age cannot commit such offences, but the definitions are to be understood subject to the general exception which provides that nothing shall be an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.

  2. A, a police-officer, without a warrant, apprehends Z, who has committed murder. Here A is not guilty of the offence of wrongful confinement; for he was bound by law to apprehend Z and therefore the case falls within the general exception which provides that “ nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is bound by the law to do it”. 

The explanation of  above-stated sec 6 IPC, itself states that every definition that defines the meaning, nature, scope of that offence, every that provision as mentioned that aims to penalise the person for the wrongful act committed by him and every illustration defining the offence with the help of examples shall be understood as exceptions as they are mentioned in the chapter “General Exceptions”. 

How Cause of action arises

 How cause of action arises : An suit gives raise to either one cause of action or many causes of action. It is a bundle of facts. Thus it is cause of suit. In Pittapur Raja Vs. Suriya Rau the Privy Council held that the term meant “the cause of action for which the suit was brought”. Generally it means “every fact which is necessary to establish to support a right or obtain a judgment. It means every fact which will be necessary for the Plaintiff to prove (if traversed). Whenever a new party is added the Petitioner has to seek consequential amendment provided under Rule 28 Civil Rules of Practice. Sometimes parties need to be transposed. . It is said in execution proceedings there can be no adding of parties . These are some instances of parties to the suit. 

the basic requirement of Suit

 The basic requirements for a suit are: (i) parties (ii) cause of action (iii) subject-matter (iv) reliefs claimed (prayer) Availability of proper and necessary parties to the suit is essential to adjudicate a dispute. Order I of Civil Procedure Code gives various dimensions of joining parties to the suit in the capacity of either plaintiffs or defendants. Now, it is to be seen who are Necessary & proper parties? In Razia Begum Vs. Answar Begum (AIR 1958 SC 886) Hon’ble Supreme Court held that “Rule 10(2) gives a wide discretion to the court to meet every case of defect of parties and is not affected by the inaction of the plaintiff to bring the necessary parties on record. A NECESSARY PARTY IS ONE WITHOUT WHOM NO ORDER CAN BE MADE EFFECTIVELY. A proper party is one in whose absence an effective order can be made but whose presence is necessary for a complete and final decision on the question involved in the proceeding.” The addition of parties is a question of judicial discretion which has to be exercised in view of all the facts and circumstances of a particular case.” Order I Rule 1 deals with joinder of Plaintiffs whereas Order I Rule 3 deals with joinder of Defendants. Further we have to look into Order 2 Rule 3 which deals with joinder of causes of action. Order 1 Rule 1 reads as follows: All persons may be joined in one suit as Plaintiffs where - 5 (a) any right to relief in respect of, or arising out of, the same act or transaction or series of acts or transactions is alleged to exist in such persons, whether jointly, severally or in the alternative; (b) if such persons brought separate suits, any common question of law or fact would arise. Order 1 Rule 3 reads as follows: All persons may be joined in one suit as Defendants where - (a) any right to relief in respect of, or arising out of, the same act or transaction or series of acts or transactions is alleged to exist against such persons, whether jointly, severally or in the alternative; (b) if such persons brought separate suits, any common question of law or fact would arise. 

Suit

 The word “suit” is not defined in the Civil Procedure Code. It is understood as a proceeding that commences in a Civil Court upon the presentation of a plaint. As we know a plaint is a statement in writing of a cause of action in which the relief claimed is set out in detail. Sec.26 CPC provides that every suit shall be instituted by the presentation of a plaint. The procedure for institution of suits is envisaged in Rule 20 of A.P. Civil Rules of Practice which provides that all plaints, written statements, applications and other proceedings may be presented to the Chief Ministerial Officer of the Court before 4.00 p.m. In case if the limitation expires on the same day, the Judge may receive them even after 4.00 P.M. Rule 20 (2) provides that the Officer shall at once endorse on the documents so presented. The Rule also casts an obligation on the party to file sufficient number of copies of plaint or proceeding and the documents. Rule 24 envisages that the Court shall not entertain any proceeding sent by post. When the plaint is found to be in order, it shall be registered. Further the plaint shall be entered in what we popularly call as 17 Register. At the time of registering the office will check for pending Caveats if any and make a note of it, if any immediate relief is sought dispensing with prior notice to other side.

Saturday, June 3, 2023

application under section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973

 

District : South 24 Parganas

In the Court of the Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, at Alipore, South 24 Parganas

 

                                                Complaint Case No.                      of 2022

 

                                                In the matter of :

An application under Section 156(3) Criminal Procedure Code’ 1973;

 

AND

 

In the matter of :

Shri Sujit Kumar Jana, Son of Late Hare Krishna Jana, aged about 58 years, residing at Premises 2G-1203, Avidipta –I, Mukundapur, Kolkata – 700099, Mobile Number : 9830112135, Email : sujit62.jana@gmail.com

                             ________Complainant

-      Versus –

Lake Police Station

1.   Shri Biswanath Dutta, Son of Late Birendra Kishore Dutta, residing at Premises being no. 364, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata – 700068, Mobile No. 9831014527, Email : biswanath_dutta@hotmail.com

 

2.   Smt. Manashi Dutta, Wife of Sri Biswanath Dutta, residing at Premises being no. 364, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata – 700068.

____________Accused

Offence Committed to be Punishable under Section 406, 420, 381, 341, & 120B, Indian Penal Code’ 1860;                                     

The humble petition of the above named Complainant, most respectfully;

Sheweth as under;

 

1.   That the Complainant is a peace loving and law abiding Citizen of this Country. The Complainant is residing at the address given in the cause title of this application.

 

2.   That the Complainant and his wife Smt. Sonali Jana, take over a Company namely M/s. Squarem Electra Private Limited in the year 1998, wherein your complainant and his wife became Director of the Company. The Company carrying business of manufacturing of Computer, electronic, Communication, and Scientific measuring & control equipment with support services to organisations on rental and leasing of motor vehicles, machinery, equipment, capital goods, etc, and allied services thereof.

 

3.   That in the year 2010, while company acquired assignment regarding Industrial Automation Service, being more Scientific issues involved therein, your Complainant came into contact with one Biswanath Dutta, who allured your complainant that he have sufficient knowledge to run and serve such assignment. Consequently he approached your complainant and his wife Smt. Sonali Jana to introduce him and his wife Smt. Manashi Dutta, as a Director in your Complainant’s company. Your complainant take him and his wife as a Director in the Company for serving such specialized services to organization on the basis of specified requisite remuneration. Since then, complainant had good relation in running the said company.

 

4.   That as Pandemic spread at the threshold on 15th day March’ 2020, company business stopped at such behest of COVID-19. During such tenure of pandemic your complainant and his wife Smt. Sonali Jana, tried to bear liabilities of company’s employee. But Since the month of August’ 2021, the said Biswanath Dutta and his wife being Director in the Company, started retrenchment of employee one by one, without any reasonable cause, so far, and without consent of your complainant and/or having any Board resolution in such regard, ever.

 

5.   That your Complainant tried several occasion to talk with him regarding such unlawfulness, but he refused to have any conversation with your complainant and his wife, on any square, so far. Thus by ignoring the complainant and his wife Smt. Sonali Jana and violating the terms of Law, he and his wife retrenched seven numbers of employee, who were permanent and on regularized loyal employee.

 

6.   That the said Company M/s. Squarem Electra Private Limited have Registered office of the Company at the rented premises being  no. 188/62, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata – 700045, under Mr. Anjan Biswas, Land Lord, Since 1998, and thus the Complainant have had several furniture, fixture stationary, etc. sufficiently lying there as to accommodate the strength of Eleven Persons, so far.

 

7.   It is pertinent to say that during the tenure of Pandemic commencing from 15th day of March’ 2020, the Complainant have forced to depend much on online working and resolution as the Government asked to introduce work from home, and thus the work ability due to stopped of organizations during tenure of COVID-19, reduced much and lost many assignment and daily attainment of office has also been reduced. Such practices continued, so far, to be in back as we were.

 

8.   On 16th day of July’ 2022, while your Complainant visited his Office at about 11 am, shocked to see that the office premises is under locked, then he made call to Biswanath Dutta, who did not take his Call and thus Your Complainant did not get any answer regarding Closure of Office premises. Therefore the Complainant contacted the Land Owner Sri Anjan Biswas, who was not there at that time, though his family members and Durwan acknowledge that a month ago Sri Biswanath Dutta has vacated the rented premises against the substantial consideration money taken by him, and furniture, fixture, and stationaries has already been taken by the said Biswanath Dutta. The furniture, fixture, and stationaries are valued as of Rs. 12,00,000/- ( Rupees Twelve Lakhs ) only, approximately, which consists Computer/Office Tables – 15 nos., Sitting Chairs – 20 nos., Almirahs – 2 nos., Wall mount Racks – 10 nos., Celling Fans & Wall Fans – 12 nos., Desk Top Computers – 10 nos., Laptops – 6 nos., Printers – 2 nos., and others, so far Your Complainant remembered.

 

9.   That the said Biswanath Dutta, also took away the Books of Account, Cheque Books, Fixed Deposit Certificate, Tenancy Agreement, and Petty Cash with necessary paper/document of statutory compliance of the Company, etc.

 

10.                Therefore in the given facts the said Biswanath Dutta with his wife Manashi Dutta, without consent and acknowledgment left the rented premises against the substantial consideration money and took away all belongings of the office premises, with Books of Account, Cheque Books, and Petty Cash with necessary paper/document of statutory compliance of the Company, etc.

 

11.                On 16th July’ 2020, Your Complainant was shocked and depressed though visited the Lake Police Station to acknowledge the facts and to lodge an FIR. The Police Officials suggested him to submit a written complaint enumerating entire facts. Thereafter on reaching his house, He was under much depression about losing his company and its property at the behest of the said Biswanath Dutta and Manashi Dutta. However Your Complainant gain himself which took few days.

 

12.                On 21st day of July’ 2022, your Complainant lodge the written facts being complaint to the Lake Police Station, which has been duly received and acknowledge by the Lake Police Station though did not register as an FIR and did not cause any investigation into the matter of complaint.

 

13.                On 29th day of July’ 2022, your Complainant lodge such facts of inaction of the Lake Police Station to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kolkata Police, South East Division, who duly acknowledge the receipt but did not pursue to cause any direction on the Lake Police Station for registration of FIR and investigation into the matter of complaint of the complainant.

 

14.                That the present Complaint is against Biswanath Dutta, Son of Late Birendra Kishore Dutta, residing at Premises being no. 364, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata – 700068, and Smt. Manashi Dutta, Wife of Sri Biswanath Dutta, residing at Premises being no. 364, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata – 700068, for their Criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of substantial consideration money taken in lieu of leaving the rented office premises, theft of office belongings valued approximately as Rs. 12,00,000/-, with Fixed Deposit Certificates and financial statutory documents of the company, etc. having wrongful confinement under their conspiracy.

 

15.                That the accused person committed offence punishable under Section 406, 420, 381, 341, & 120B, Indian Penal Code’ 1860, and accordingly liable for punishment.

 

16.                That the cause of action is continuous in nature, arises at first on 16th day of July’ 2022, while the Complainant visited the office premises and found closed being left, and subsequently on 21/07/2022, and 29/07/2022, while the Police did not lodge FIR against the accused and did not investigate, even after in receipt of the complaint given by the complainant. The complainant is still awaiting to have an FIR and instigation against the accused. Such an inaction of Police indulge the accused persons in their wrongful deeds and thereby depriving your Complainant and his wife Smt. Sonali Jana. Such, illegal activities, and the offences committed by the accused bring the company towards closure of its business at the loss of its property including movable and immovable.

 

17.                That even after acknowledgment of facts to the Police authority concern, the Police did not register any FIR and did not cause any necessary investigation against the accused person. Such Police inaction of the concerned Police authority given due indulgence to the accused person to be continued in such acts and omission, violating the Law and the rights of the complainant.

 

18.                That Your Complainant submit that unless there is an Order from Your Honour directing the concerned Police Station to investigate into the matter, Your Complainant will suffer irreparable loss and injury and will be seriously prejudiced.

 

19.                That your petitioner is a victim of the offences committed by the accused persons and also by the Police for inaction.

 

20.                That on the expiry of considerable period, your petitioner realized that the Police will not cause any investigation against the accused persons, as such the accused person is moneyed man and influential, your petitioner came before the Learned Court to get justice as to fair investigation in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code’ 1973.

 

21.                That your Petitioner crave leaves to produce relevant documents and / or papers at the time of investigation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.                That the application is made bona fide and for the interests of Justice.

 

Under the aforesaid circumstances, Your Complainant most humbly pray that Your Honour may graciously be pleased to send the petition in complaint to the Officer-in-Charge, Lake Police Station as per provisions under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure’ 1973, for causing investigation on treating the petition of complaint as First Information Report and/or to pass such other further necessary Order/Orders as Your Honour may deem, fit, and proper for the end of Justice.

 

And for this act of kindness, Your Complainant as in duty bound shall ever pray.

 

 

Verification

 

I, Sujit Kumar Jana, being the complainant herein named above, made this instant application under section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code’ 1973, and whereas the material facts and circumstances as mentioned herein above in the forgoing paragraphs are true to the knowledge and belief. I verified this instant application as on …….…the day of August’ 2022, at the Alipore Criminal Court Premises.

 

 

                                                                  

 

Affidavit

 

I, Shri Sujit Kumar Jana, Son of Late Hare Krishna Jana, aged about 58 years, by faith Hindu, by Occupation Business, residing at Premises 2G-1203, Avidipta –I, Mukundapur, Kolkata – 700099, District – South 24 Parganas, do hereby solemnly affirm and says as follows :

 

1.           That I am the complainant in the above referred application under Section 156 (3) of Criminal Procedure Code’ 1973, and I am competent to swear this affidavit.

 

2.           That I say that the Lake Police Station did not lodge any F.I.R. on this facts as stated in my application under Section 156 (3 ) of Cr.P.C., and did not cause any enquiry and or investigation into the matter of facts as stated in my application  under Section 156 (3 ) of Cr.P.C.

 

3.           That no case and or F.I.R. has ever been lodged and initiated on the facts and allegations as made out by me in my application under Section 156 (3 ) of Cr.P.C. by any Police Station in state of West Bengal, so far my knowledge is concern.

 

4.           That this is the first time and or occasion, when I approach the Learned Court to get justice, on the facts and allegations as made out by me in my application under Section 156 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure’ 1973.

 

5.           That the statements made in the aforesaid application under Section 156 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure’ 1973, are true to my knowledge and belief.

 

That the above statements are true to my knowledge and belief.

 

 

 

 

Deponent

Identified by me,

 

 

                                                                             Advocate.

Prepared in my Chamber,

 

Advocate.

Dated : _______ _________________2022.

Place : Alipore Criminal Court, South 24 Parganas.

N O T A R Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VAKALATNAMA

District : South 24 Parganas

In the Court of Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, at Alipore, South 24 Parganas.

 

                                                Complaint Case no……………..of 2022.

 

          Shri Sujit Kumar Jana,                     ………..Complainant.

 

Versus

 

          Shri Biswanath Dutta, and another

                                                                             ….…Accused.

 

KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I / We Shri Sujit Kumar Jana, Son of Late Hare Krishna Jana, aged about 58 years, residing at Premises 2G-1203, Avidipta –I, Mukundapur, Kolkata – 700099,

   do hereby constitute and appoint the under mentioned Advocate, Pleader, Vakils, jointly and each of them severally to be pleader of take such steps and proceedings as may be necessary on my / our behalf and for that purpose to make sign, verify and present all necessary petitions, plaints, written statements and other documents and do nominate and appoint or retain senior counsels, vakil, advocates and other persons, lodge and deposits moneys and documents and other papers in the Ld. Court and the same again withdraw and to take out of Court and to obtain or grant as the case may be effectual receipts and discharge for the same and for all moneys which may be payable to me / us in the premises. To enter into compromise with my / our approval and withdraw, all moneys from the court AND GENERALLY  to act in the premises and proceedings arising there out whether by way of execution, review, appeal, or otherwise or in any manner contested there with as effectually and to all intents and purpose as I / We could act if personally present and such substitution and as pleasure to revoke I / We hereby ratifying and agreeing to confirm whatever may be lawfully done by virtue hereof.

In witness whereof this Vakalatnama has been executed by me / us.

This the …………………day of ………………2022

 

Shri Apurba Mondal, Advocate. Mobile No. 9830212183.

Shri Pritam Das, Advocate.

Shri Biplab Some, Advocate.

Miss Suchitra Chakraborty, Advocate.

 

District : South 24 Parganas

In the Court of the Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, at Alipore, South 24 Parganas

 

                                                Complaint Case No.                      of 2022

 

                                                In the matter of :

Shri Sujit Kumar Jana,

                             ________Complainant

-      Versus –

 

Shri Biswanath Dutta, and Another,

____________Accused

FIRISHTI

{Enclosure}

 

1.   Complaint to Lake Police Station dated 21st day of July’ 2022;

2.   Complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, dated 29/07/2022;

3.   Certificate of incorporation, Memorandum and Article of Association of M/s. Squarem Electra Private Limited;

4.   Master Data of Company obtained from MCA Website;

5.   Financial Statements of the Company, submitted with ROC, WB;