No Cognizance Under Section 188 IPC Without Complaint by Competent Public Servant: Allahabad High Court Quashes Entire Criminal Case
In a significant judgment concerning the mandatory requirements of Section 195 Cr.P.C., the Allahabad High Court has quashed criminal proceedings arising from alleged violation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr.P.C., holding that cognizance of an offence under Section 188 IPC cannot be taken unless a written complaint is made by the competent public servant concerned. Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan delivered the judgment in Israr Ahmad v. State of U.P. & Others , allowing a petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. and quashing the charge-sheet, summoning order and entire criminal proceedings. Background of the Case The petitioner challenged the criminal proceedings arising out of Case Crime No. 839 of 2019 registered under Sections 143, 188 and 342 IPC at Police Station Kotwali Nagar, District Pratapgarh. The charge-sheet had been filed on 24.11.2019 and cognizance was taken by the Chief Judicial Magistrate on 12.02.2020. The principal contention raised by the petitioner was...