CrPC 137 — Procedure where existence of public right is denied

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Statutory text

(1) Where an order is made under section 133 for
the purpose of preventing obstruction, nuisance or danger to the public in the use of any way, river, channel or place,
the Magistrate shall, on the appearance before him of the person against whom the order was made, question him as
to whether he denies the existence of  any public right in respect of the way, river, channel or place, and if he does so, the Magistrate shall, before proceeding under section 138, inquire into the matter.
(2) If in such inquiry the  Magistrate  finds that  there  is any reliable  evidence in support of such denial,  he  shall
stay the proceedings until the matter of the existence of such right has been decided by a competent Court; and, if he finds that there is no such evidence, he shall proceed as laid down in section 138.
(3) A person who has, on being questioned by the Magistrate under sub-section (1), failed to deny the existence
of  a  public  right  of  the  nature  therein  referred  to,  or  who,  having  made  such  denial,  has  failed  to  adduce  reliable evidence in support thereof, shall not in the subsequent proceedings be permitted to make any such denial.

Back to CrPC