Equivalent Citation: 2009(7)SCALE757, (2009)7SCC104(1)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Criminal Appeal No. 981 of 2009 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 63 ! of 200 ) "e#i$e$ %n& 11.0'.2009 Appellants& Jayendra Vishnu Thakur Vs. (espon$ent& State ! Maharahstra and Anr. H n"#$e Jud%es& S.). Sin*a an$ +u,un$a,am S*arma- ... C unse$s& /or Appearing Parties& S*e,*ar Naga$e- Sr. A$0.- +ano1 2oel- S*u0o$eep (o3- 4a1ee* Safi5- A0inas* 6r.- )ri1 )*us*an- 2opal 7erma- (a0in$ra 6es*a0rao A$sure an$ San1a3 .ain- A$0s Su#'e(t& Cri)ina$ A(ts*Ru$es*Orders& 80i$en#e A#t- 18 1 9 Se#tions 3- 33- 13 an$ 138: Criminal Pro#e$ure Co$e (CrPC)- 19 3 9 Se#tions 82- 83- 8'90- 2 3- 299- 299(1)- 3!2 an$ !6': ;errorist an$ "isrupti0e A#ti0ities (Pre0ention) A#t- 198 9 Se#tions 11- 12- 1!1!(')- 21 an$ 2': 8<tra$ition A#t- 1962: Criminal Pro#e$ure Co$e (CrPC) 9 Se#tion '12: =n$ian Penal Co$e 9 Se#tions 26 an$ 1 2: Constitution of =n$ia 9 Arti#les 21 an$ 32 Cases Re!erred& .a#, (. 2ol$>erg 0. .o*n 6ell3 2' L. 8$ 2$ 28 : 2rannis 0. %r$ean 23! ?.S. 38' & '8 L 8$ 1363 & 3! S Ct 9 (191!): Armstrong 0. +an@o- 380 ?.S. '!' & 1! L 8$ 2$ 62- 66 & S Ct 118 (196'): 2reene 0. +# 8lore3 3 L 8$ 2$ 13 : State of =llinois 0. 4illiam Allen 39 ?S 33 : Sara>1it (i#, Sing* 0. ?nion of =n$ia +AN?ASCA00!1A2008: (ustam 0. 8mperor A=( 191' All !11: +3sore 0. San1ee0a A=( 19'6 +3s. 1: S*i0 C*an$er 6apoor 0. Amar )ose +AN?ASCA0!98A1989: +an>ot* 0. 8mperor +AN?ANAA00'0A19!3: Na@ir A*ma$ 0. 8mperor +AN?AP(A0020A1936: )*agBati 0. 8mperor +AN?A?PA01'8A1918: .anu 0. 8mperor A=( 19! Sin$ 122: 2*ur>in )in$ 0. Cueen 8mpress +AN?A4)A0139A188! : Nirmal Sing* 0. State of Dar3ana +AN?ASCA01 8A1999: 6artare3 0. State of ?.P. +AN?ASCA0138A19 ': C*ief .usti#e of An$*ra Pra$es* an$ Anr. 0. L.7.A. "i,s*itulu an$ %rs. +AN?ASCA0!16A19 8: Noor Aga 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA2913A2008 : 6artar Sing* 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA00 'A1993 : C*olan (oa$Ba3s Lt$. 0. 2. ;*irugnanasam>an$am +AN?ASCA1080A200!: 7imal>en A1it>*ai Patel 0. 7atsla>en As*o,>*ai Patel an$ %rs. +AN?ASCA 33!A2008: S.L. 6apoor 0. .agmo*an +AN?ASCA0036A1980: A.(. Antula3 0. (.S. Na3a, an$ Anr. +AN?ASCA0002A1988: State of Dar3ana 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA0'2!A200!: (a1ast*an State (oa$ ;ransport Corporation an$ %rs. 0. Ea,ir Dussain +AN?ASCA0!96A200' Pri r Hist ry& /rom t*e .u$gment an$ %r$er $ate$ 06.03.200 of t*e "esignate$ Court (;A"A)- Pune in Appli#ations 8<*. 1118 an$ 122 in ;SC No. 2A1996- 1A199 an$ 2A199 Dis+ siti n& Appeal alloBe$ Citin% Re!eren(e& .a#, (. 2ol$>erg 0. .o*n 6ell3 2rannis 0. %r$ean Armstrong 0. +an@o 2reene 0. +# 8lore3 State of =llinois 0. 4illiam Allen
1

"is#usse$ +entione$ +entione$ "is#usse$ "is#usse$

Sara>1it (i#, Sing* 0. ?nion of =n$ia +AN?ASCA00!1A2008 +entione$ (ustam 0. 8mperor "is#usse$ +3sore 0. San1ee0a "is#usse$ S*i0 C*an$er 6apoor 0. Amar )ose +AN?ASCA0!98A1989 "is#usse$ +an>ot* 0. 8mperor +AN?ANAA00'0A19!3 "is#usse$ Na@ir A*ma$ 0. 8mperor +AN?AP(A0020A1936 +entione$ )*agBati 0. 8mperor +AN?A?PA01'8A1918 "is#usse$ .anu 0. 8mperor "is#usse$ 2*ur>in )in$ 0. Cueen 8mpress +entione$ Nirmal Sing* 0. State of Dar3ana +AN?ASCA01 8A1999 "is#usse$ 6artare3 0. State of ?.P. +AN?ASCA0138A19 ' "is#usse$ C*ief .usti#e of An$*ra Pra$es* an$ Anr. 0. L.7.A. "i,s*itulu an$ %rs. +AN?ASCA0!16A19 8 +entione$ Noor Aga 0. State of Pun1a> "is#usse$ 6artar Sing* 0. State of Pun1a> "is#usse$ C*olan (oa$Ba3s Lt$. 0. 2. ;*irugnanasam>an$am +AN?ASCA1080A200! +entione$ 7imal>en A1it>*ai Patel 0. 7atsla>en As*o,>*ai Patel an$ %rs. +AN?ASCA 33!A2008 "is#usse$ S.L. 6apoor 0. .agmo*an +AN?ASCA0036A1980 "is#usse$ A.(. Antula3 0. (.S. Na3a, an$ Anr. +AN?ASCA0002A1988 "is#usse$ State of Dar3ana 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA0'2!A200! +entione$ (a1ast*an State (oa$ ;ransport Corporation an$ %rs. 0. Ea,ir Dussain +AN?ASCA0!96A200' +entione$ JUD,MENT S.-. Sinha. J. 1. Lea0e grante$. 2. =nterpretation of t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure- 19 3 (for s*ort Ft*e Co$eG)Se#tion 33 of t*e =n$ian 80i$en#e A#t- 18 1 as also Se#tion 1!(') of t*e ;errorist an$ "isrupti0e A#ti0ities (Pre0ention) A#t- 198 (for s*ort Ft*e ;A"AG) is in0ol0e$ in t*is appeal B*i#* arises out of a #ommon or$er $ate$ 6t* +ar#*- 200 passe$ >3 t*e "esignate$ Court (;A"A)- Pune- in Appli#ation 8<*. 1118 an$ 122 in ;SC No. 2A1996- 1A199 an$ 2A199 . 3. ;*e sai$ 5uestion arises in t*e folloBing fa#t situation. %ne Sures* Narsin* "u>e Bas s*ot $ea$ at Nallasopara (ailBa3 Station in t*e su>ur>s of +um>ai on 9t* %#to>er- 1989. ;*e implea$e$ respon$ent *erein- t*e >rot*er of t*e $e#ease$- file$ a #omplaint petition Bit* regar$ to t*e in#i$ent. Appellant a>s#on$e$. A pro#lamation un$er Se#tion 82 of t*e Co$e Bas t*ereafter issue$ on 9t* /e>ruar3- 1993 $e#laring t*e appellant as a pro#laime$ offen$er. Su>se5uentl3- t*e sai$ pro#lamation Bas also pu>lis*e$ in $ifferent neBspapers on 0arious $ates. =n #onne#tion Bit* t*e sai$ o##urren#e initiall3 12 persons Bere #*arge9s*eete$ upon #ompletion of in0estigation on 2 t* August- 1993- B*erein eig*t persons- in#lu$ing t*e appellant- Bere s*oBn to >e a>s#on$ing. Appellant an$ ot*er a##use$ Bere also >oo,e$ un$er ;A"A. =n$isputa>l3- in #onne#tion Bit* a #ase arising out of /=( Nos. 1!09 1!! of 1993 t*e appellant Bas arreste$ in "el*i on 23r$ .ul3- 1993. )3 a letter $ate$ 1st Septem>er- 1993 t*e =n0estigating %ffi#er in t*e present #ase informe$ t*e "esignate$ .u$ge- ;A"A Court at +um>ai in regar$ to t*e appellantGs arrest in t*e "el*i #ase. !. Appellant Bas arreste$ >3 t*e +a*ara*stra Poli#e on 23r$ %#to>er- 1993 in #onne#tion Bit* /=( No. 3A1992 an$ Bas pro$u#e$ >efore t*e C*ief .u$i#ial +agistrate- ;*ane on 2!t* %#to>er- 1993 an$ Bas reman$e$ to poli#e #usto$3 till 20t* No0em>er- 1993. De Bas again s*oBn to *a0e >een arreste$ on 20 t* No0em>er- 1993 in tBo
2

#ases : one relating to /=( No. 23 A1992 of +ani,pur Poli#e Station an$ t*e ot*er in /=( No. 161 of 1992 of 7irar Poli#e Station. De Bas in 1u$i#ial #usto$3 till 21st "e#em>er- 1993. '. %n a Spe#ial Lea0e Petition (Crl.) Nos. 6!396!6 *a0ing >een file$ >efore t*is Court >3 t*e appellant an$ ot*erst*is Court >3 its or$er $ate$ 23r$ No0em>er- 1993 inter alia $ire#te$ splitting up of t*e #ase Bit* regar$ to t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$. C*arges in t*e matter Bere frame$ >3 t*e "esignate$ .u$ge on 30t* "e#em>er- 1993. 6. %n an appli#ation file$ >3 t*e Pu>li# Prose#utor un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e- an or$er Bas passe$ >3 t*e "esignate$ .u$ge on 1st .anuar3- 199!. . ;*e State of +a*aras*tra file$ a Brit appli#ation >efore t*e Dig* Court of "el*i for se#uring t*e presen#e of t*e appellant in t*e #ases pen$ing in t*e State of +a*aras*tra in#lu$ing t*e #ase in 5uestion- B*i#* >3 reason of an or$er $ate$ 19t* "e#em>er- 199! Bas $ismisse$. %n or a>out 11t* .ul3- 199' an appli#ation un$er Se#tion 83 of t*e Co$e Bas file$ >3 t*e =n0estigating %ffi#er t*roug* t*e Pu>li# Prose#utor B*erein it Bas a$mitte$ t*at t*e appellant *a$ not >een a>s#on$ing. 8. %n an appli#ation mo0e$ >3 t*e State of +a*aras*tra to t*e "esignate$ .u$ge- ;A"A- "el*i for transfer of t*e appellant to +a*aras*tra- t*e "esignate$ .u$ge >3 *is or$er $ate$ 21 st .ul3- 199' refuse$ to $o so in 0ieB of t*e or$er passe$ >3 t*e Dig* Court on 19t* "e#em>er- 199!. Appellant mo0e$ an appli#ation for pro$u#tion Barrant for re#or$ing *is plea against #*arges B*i#* Bas $ismisse$ on 2't* .ul3- 199'. Het again *e file$ an appli#ation on 21st August- 199' pra3ing for issuan#e of transfer Barrant. 9. =n$isputa>l3 10 Bitnesses Bere e<amine$ $uring t*e perio$ 6t* No0em>er- 199' to 22n$ .anuar3- 199 - B*o *a0e sin#e e<pire$. ;*eir names- respe#ti0e $ates of t*eir $eposition an$ $ates of $eat*- are as un$er& PW No. 36 60 2 69 25 &1 -2 -&& &3 Name of the Witness Parhuram Sonu Kawale !harat "a##u$hai %athod Sa'haram Sam(i Kadu )adhu'ar Dattatra*a Parad'ar Sitaram Dhari +ada, /ruta )alleshwar %ao 0anumanta %a#hunath "adha, Shi,a(irao 1ithalrao !araw'ar Sham )aruti !in#awade Sa*a(irao !apusaha$ Du$al Date of deposition 6.11.1995 1&.12.1995 1 .11.1995 1&.1.1996 1-.10.1995 20.2.1996 20.1.1996 1 .2.1996 31.1.19922.1.199Date of death 29.1.200 22.6.200 13.2.2003 19.3.2001 De.. 2001 1.5.2001 5.9.1992&.-.2003 25. .1991 .10.2002

Appellant Bas formall3 arreste$ in t*e present #ase on ! t* August- 199 . A supplementar3 #*arge s*eet Bas file$ on 19t* August- 199 . C*arges Bere frame$ against si< a##use$ persons in#lu$ing t*e appellant on 1' t* No0em>er- 2003. =n t*e sai$ pro#ee$ing tBo appli#ations Bere file$ >3 t*e Senior Pu>li# Prose#utor on 2't* Septem>er- 1996 an$ 11t* %#to>er- 2006 for e<*i>iting t*e $epositions of P4936 an$ nine ot*er Bitnesses- B*o *a$ sin#e e<pire$3

B*i#* >3 reason of t*e impugne$ or$er *a0e >een alloBe$. Aggrie0e$ >3 t*e sai$ or$er- t*e appellant is >efore us. 10. +r. +ano1 2oel- learne$ Counsel appearing on >e*alf of t*e appellant- inter alia Boul$ su>mit& 1. ;*e impugne$ or$er is B*oll3 unsustaina>le as t*e "esignate$ .u$ge- ;A"A- in its or$er $ate$ 1 st .anuar3199! on t*e appli#ation un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e $i$ not assign suffi#ient an$ #ogent reasons B*i#* Boul$ satisf3 t*e 1uris$i#tional fa#ts #ontaine$ in first part t*ereof or t*e legal re5uirements #ontaine$ in t*e se#on$ part. 2. Sin#e t*e 1uris$i#tional fa#ts re5uire pro0ing of not onl3 t*e a>s#on$an#e of an a##use$ >ut also a situation B*ere imme$iate prospe#t of *is arrest Bas a>sent an$ B*i#* >eing a #on$ition pre#e$ent: an$ as in t*e fa#ts an$ #ir#umstan#es of t*is #ase t*e appellantGs presen#e #oul$ *a0e >een o>taine$ as *e Bas un$er arrest in a "el*i #ase B*i#* fa#t Bas ,noBn to t*e prose#ution- t*e impugne$ or$er #annot >e sustaine$. 3. (ig*t to #onfront a Bitness >eing a fun$amental rig*t in terms of Arti#le 21 of t*e Constitution of =n$ia an$ Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e >eing an e<#eption t*ereto- t*e same s*oul$ >e stri#tl3 #onstrue$. !. A$mitte$l3 appellant *a0ing >een arreste$ >3 t*e "el*i poli#e on 23 r$ .ul3- 1993 an$ in all su>se5uent appli#ations as also in t*e letters t*e prose#ution it *a0ing not >een s*oBn t*at t*e appellant *a$ >een a>s#on$ing- t*e or$er of t*e learne$ "esignate$ .u$ge $ate$ 1 st .anuar3- 199! must >e *el$ to >e illegal an$ Bit*out 1uris$i#tion. '. ;*e legal re5uirements to attra#t t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t *a0ing not >een #omplie$ Bit* >3 prose#ution as no fin$ing *as >een arri0e$ at >3 t*e $esignate$ #ourt t*at t*e materials >roug*t on re#or$ Bere suffi#ient to attra#t t*e same. 6. ;*e re5uirements of laB for t*e purpose of issuan#e of a pro#lamation in terms of Se#tion 82 of t*e Co$e >eing onl3 Freason to >elie0eG an$ t*e re5uirement for e<er#ise of 1uris$i#tion >3 t*e Court un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e >eing Ipro0e$I an$- t*us- onl3 >e#ause an a##use$ *a$ >een a>s#on$ing t*e same >3 itself #oul$ not *a0e >een a groun$ for in0o,ing t*e 1uris$i#tion un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e in a>sen#e of an3 fin$ing t*at not onl3 t*e appellant Bas a>s#on$ing >ut *e *as intentionall3 >een a0oi$ing arrest. . ;*e purporte$ e0i$en#e of t*e ten Bitnesses B*o *a$ >een e<amine$ in t*e first p*ase of trial *a0ing >een #olle#te$ illegall3- t*e same Bas not a$missi>le in e0i$en#e in t*e present #ase an$ in t*at 0ieB of t*e matter t*e impugne$ 1u$gment #annot >e sustaine$. 11. +r. Nafa$e- learne$ Counsel appearing on >e*alf of *e State an$ +r. San1a3 .ain- appearing on >e*alf of t*e respon$ents- on t*e ot*er *an$- Boul$ #onten$& 1) Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e- Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t an$ Se#tion 1!(') of ;A"A >eing #ognate pro0isionsea#* one of t*em *as a $istin#t role to pla3- alt*oug* t*e pro0isions t*ereof ma3 *a0e >een o0erlapping to some e<tent. 2) ;A"A >eing a spe#ial statute an$ *a0ing an o0erri$ing effe#t on ot*er statutes as Boul$ appear from Se#tion 2' t*ereof- Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! t*ereof must also >e *el$ to *a0e o0erri$ing effe#t o0er t*e pro0isions of Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure an$Aor t*e =n$ian 80i$en#e A#t an$ in t*at 0ieB of t*e matter t*e or$er $ate$ 1 st .anuar3- 199! is unassaila>le 3) Non (e#or$ing of reasons- in an3 e0ent- >eing onl3 an irregularit3- t*e pro0isions of Se#tion !6' of t*e Co$e Boul$ >e attra#te$. !) Appellant at all t*e material times >eing aBare of t*e entire pro#ee$ing an$ *a0ing ta,en part t*erein from time to time- *e #annot at t*is stage >e permitte$ to turn aroun$ an$ alloBe$ to raise a #ontention in regar$ to t*e appli#a>ilit3 or ot*erBise of an or$er in t*e pre0ious #ase. ') C*arges *a0ing >een frame$ against t*e appellant in terms of an or$er $ate$ 20 t* "e#em>er- 1993 in respe#t B*ereof *e $espite >eing aBare >ut *a0ing not a0aile$ t*e >enefit of #ross9 e<amining t*e Bitnesses in terms of
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Se#tion 1!(') of ;A"A at an appropriate stage- is estoppe$ an$ pre#lu$e$ from 5uestioning t*e legalit3 or 0ali$it3 of t*e sai$ or$er $ate$ 1st .anuar3- 199!. 6) Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! of ;A"A $oes not re5uire pro0ing of foun$ational fa#ts >e3on$ all reasona>le $ou>ts an$ in t*e e0ent- t*e satisfa#tion arri0e$ at >3 t*e Court on t*e >asis of t*e material e0i$en#es on re#or$t*e legal re5uirements must >e treate$ to *a0e >een satisfie$. ) Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! of ;A"A imposes a reasona>le restri#tion on t*e rig*t of t*e a##use$ an$ in an3 e0ent as t*e #onstitutionalit3 of t*e sai$ pro0ision is not in 5uestion- t*is Court s*oul$ not e<er#ise its $is#retionar3 1uris$i#tion Appellant is >eing prose#ute$ un$er ;A"A. ;*e A#t Bas ena#te$ to ma,e spe#ial pro0isions for t*e pre0ention ofan$ for #oping Bit*- terrorist an$ $isrupti0e a#ti0ities an$ for matters #onne#te$ t*ereBit* or in#i$ental t*eretoPart == B*ereof pro0i$es punis*ments for- an$ measures for #oping Bit*- terrorist an$ $isrupti0e a#ti0ities. Part === of ;A"A empoBers t*e Central 2o0ernment or t*e State 2o0ernment to #onstitute one or more "esignate$ Courts for su#* area or areas or su#* #ase or #lass or group of #ases as ma3 >e spe#ifie$ t*erein. 12. A "esignate$ .u$ge B*ile *ol$ing trial un$er t*e A#t in$isputa>l3 *as t*e poBer to $etermine all 5uestions in#lu$ing t*e 5uestion as regar$s *is oBn 1uris$i#tion. Se#tion 11 of ;A"A pro0i$es t*at e0er3 offen#e punis*a>le un$er an3 pro0ision of t*e sai$ A#t s*all >e tria>le onl3 >3 t*e "esignate$ Court Bit*in B*ose lo#al 1uris$i#tion it Bas #ommitte$. Se#tion 12 empoBers t*e "esignate$ Court to tr3 an3 ot*er offen#e- at t*e same trial- Bit* B*i#* t*e a##use$ ma3 >e #*arge$ if t*e offen#e is #onne#te$ Bit* su#* ot*er offen#e. Se#tion 1! pro0i$es for t*e pro#e$ure an$ poBers of t*e "esignate$ Court. Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! pro0i$es for a non9o>stante #lause in terms B*ereof notBit*stan$ing an3t*ing #ontaine$ in t*e Co$e- a "esignate$ Court ma3- if it t*in,s fit an$ for reasons to >e re#or$e$ >3 it- pro#ee$ Bit* t*e trial in t*e a>sen#e of t*e a##use$ or *is plea$er an$ re#or$ t*e e0i$en#e of an3 Bitness- su>1e#t to t*e rig*t of t*e a##use$ to re#all t*e Bitness for #ross9e<amination. Se#tion 2' of ;A"A also pro0i$es for a non o>stante #lause stating t*at t*e pro0isions t*ereof or an3 rule ma$e t*ereun$er or an3 or$er ma$e un$er an3 su#* rule s*all *a0e effe#t notBit*stan$ing an3t*ing in#onsistent t*ereBit* #ontaine$ in an3 ena#tment or in an3 instrument *a0ing effe#t >3 0irtue of an3 ena#tment ot*er t*an t*e A#t. 13. 4e must at t*is stage also #onsi$er t*e effe#t of t*e rele0ant pro0isions of t*e Co$e. C*apter JJ=== of t*e Co$e pro0i$es for e0i$en#e in in5uiries an$ trials. Se#tion 2 3 of t*e Co$e man$ates t*at all e0i$en#e ta,en in t*e #ourse of t*e trial or ot*er pro#ee$ing s*all >e ta,en in t*e presen#e of t*e a##use$ orB*en *is personal atten$an#e is $ispense$ Bit*- in t*e presen#e of *is plea$er- B*i#* Bas spe#ifi#all3 pro0i$e$. Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e e<pressl3 pro0i$es for t*e poBer of t*e #ourt to re#or$ e0i$en#e in a>sen#e of t*e a##use$ in t*e folloBing term& /00. Re( rd ! e1iden(e in a#sen(e ! a((used& 234 =f it is pro0e$ t*at an a##use$ person *as a>s#on$e$- an$ t*at t*ere is no imme$iate prospe#t of arresting *im- t*e Court #ompetent to tr3 or #ommit for trial- su#* person for t*e offen#e #omplaine$ of- ma3- in *is a>sen#e- e<amine t*e Bitnesses (if an3) pro$u#e$ on >e*alf of t*e prose#ution- an$ re#or$ t*eir $epositions an$ an3 su#* $eposition ma3- on t*e arrest of su#* person- >e gi0en in e0i$en#e against *im on t*e in5uir3 into- or trial for- t*e offen#e Bit* B*i#* *e is #*arge$- if t*e $eponent is $ea$ or in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e or #annot >e foun$ or *is presen#e #annot >e pro#ure$ Bit*out an amount of $ela3- e<pense or in#on0enien#e B*i#*- un$er t*e #ir#umstan#es of t*e #ase- Boul$ >e unreasona>le. (2) =f it appears t*at an offen#e punis*a>le Bit* $eat* or imprisonment for life *as >een #ommitte$ >3 some person or persons un,noBn- t*e Dig* Court or t*e Sessions .u$ge ma3 $ire#t t*at an3 +agistrate of t*e first #lass s*all *ol$ an in5uir3 an$ e<amine an3 Bitnesses B*o #an gi0e e0i$en#e #on#erning t*e offen#e an$ an3 $epositions so ta,en ma3 >e gi0en in e0i$en#e against an3 person B*o is su>se5uentl3 a##use$ of t*e offen#e- if t*e $eponent is $ea$ or in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e or >e3on$ t*e limits of =n$ia.

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=t is neit*er in $ou>t nor in $ispute t*at Su>9se#tion (1) of t*e sai$ pro0ision is in tBo parts 9 t*e first part pro0i$es for proof of 1uris$i#tional fa#t in respe#t of a>s#ontion of an a##use$ person an$ t*e se#on$ t*at t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of arresting *im. =n t*e e0ent- an or$er un$er t*e sai$ pro0ision is passe$- $eposition of an3 Bitness ta,en in a>sen#e of an a##use$ ma3 >e use$ against *im if t*e $eponent is $ea$ or in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e or #annot >e foun$ or *is presen#e #annot >e pro#ure$ Bit*out an3 amount of $ela3- e<pense or in#on0enien#e B*i#*- un$er t*e #ir#umstan#es of t*e #ase- Boul$ >e unreasona>le. NoB- Be must also ta,e noti#e of Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t- 18 2- B*i#* rea$s as un$er& 33. Re$e1an(y ! (ertain e1iden(e ! r +r 1in%. in su#se5uent +r (eedin%. the truth ! !a(ts therein stated. 9 80i$en#e gi0en >3 a Bitness in a 1u$i#ial pro#ee$ing- or >efore an3 person aut*ori@e$ >3 laB to ta,e it- is rele0ant for t*e purpose of pro0ing- in a su>se5uent 1u$i#ial pro#ee$ing- or in a later stage of t*e same 1u$i#ial pro#ee$ing- t*e trut* of t*e fa#ts B*i#* it states- B*en t*e Bitness is $ea$ or #annot >e foun$- or is in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e- or is ,ept out of t*e Ba3 >3 t*e a$0erse part3- or if *is presen#e #annot >e o>taine$ Bit*out an amount of $ela3 or e<pense B*i#*- un$er t*e #ir#umstan#es of t*e #ase- t*e Court #onsi$ers unreasona>le: Pro0i$e$99t*at t*e pro#ee$ing Bas >etBeen t*e same parties or t*eir representati0es in interest: t*at t*e a$0erse part3 in t*e first pro#ee$ing *a$ t*e rig*t an$ opportunit3 to #ross9e<amine: t*at t*e 5uestions in issue Bere su>stantiall3 t*e same in t*e first as in t*e se#on$ pro#ee$ing. 8<planation.99A #riminal trial or in5uir3 s*all >e $eeme$ to >e a pro#ee$ing >etBeen t*e prose#utor an$ t*e a##use$ Bit*in t*e meaning of t*is se#tion. ;*e rig*t of an a##use$ to Bat#* t*e prose#ution Bitnesses $eposing >efore a #ourt of laB in$isputa>l3 is a 0alua>le rig*t. ;*e Si<t* amen$ment of t*e ?nite$ States Constitution e<pli#itl3 pro0i$es t*erefor- B*i#* rea$s as un$er& =n all #riminal prose#utions- t*e a##use$ s*all en1o3 t*e rig*t to a spee$3 an$ pu>li# trial- >3 an impartial 1ur3 of t*e State an$ $istri#t B*erein t*e #rime s*all *a0e >een #ommitte$- B*i#* $istri#t s*all *a0e >een pre0iousl3 as#ertaine$ >3 laB- an$ to >e informe$ of t*e nature an$ #ause of t*e a##usation: to >e #onfronte$ Bit* t*e Bitnesses against *im : to *a0e #ompulsor3 pro#ess for o>taining Bitnesses in *is fa0our- an$ to *a0e t*e Assistan#e of Counsel for *is $efen#e. 4e ma3- *oBe0er- noti#e t*at su#* a rig*t *as not 3et >een a##epte$ as a fun$amental rig*t Bit*in t*e meaning of Arti#le 21 of t*e Constitution of =n$ia >3 t*e =n$ian #ourts. =n a>sen#e of su#* an e<press pro0ision in our #onstitution- Be *a0e to pro#ee$ on a premise t*at su#* a rig*t is onl3 a statutor3 one. ;*e larger 5uestionnamel3 as to B*et*er rig*t to #onfront a Bitness >3 an a##use$ is a fun$amental rig*t or not- in our opinion- nee$ not >e gone into >3 us in t*ese pro#ee$ings as t*e appellant $oes not 5uestion t*e #onstitutionalit3 of eit*er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e or Se#tion 1!(') of ;A"A or Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t. =n t*e #onte<t of our #onstitutional s#*eme: fun$amental rig*ts are not a>solute >eing su>1e#t to reasona>le restri#tions. ;*ere lies a $istin#tion >etBeen )ill of (ig*ts #ontaine$ in t*e Constitution of t*e ?nite$ States an$ t*e /un$amental (ig*ts pro0i$e$ for in t*e =n$ian Constitution. =n .a#, (. 2ol$>erg 0. .o*n 6ell3 2' L. 8$ 2$ 28 it Bas inter alia *el$ t*at e0en in a #i0il pro#ee$ing t*e 6t* Amen$ment is appli#a>le- stating& ;*e fun$amental re5uisite of $ue pro#ess of laB is t*e opportunit3 to >e *ear$.I Grannis v. Ordean 23! ?.S. 38'39!- '8 L 8$ 1363- 1369- 3!- S Ct 9 (191!). ;*e *earing must >e Iat a meaningful time an$ in a meaningful manner.I Armstrong v. an!o- 380 ?.S. '!'- ''2- 1! L 8$ 2$ 62- 66- 8' S Ct 118 (196'). =n t*e present #onte<tt*ese prin#iples re5uire t*at a re#ipient *a0e timel3 an$ a$e5uate noti#e $etailing t*e reasons for a propose$ termination- an$ an effe#ti0e opportunit3 to $efen$ >3 #onfronting an3 a$0erse Bitnesses an$ >3 presenting *is oBn arguments an$ e0i$en#e orall3. ;*e Court furt*er relie$ on t*e folloBing o>ser0ations from 2reene 0. +# 8lore3 3 L 8$ 2$ 13 .

Certain prin#iples *a0e remaine$ relati0el3 immuta>le in our 1urispru$en#e. %ne of t*ese is t*at- B*ere go0ernmental a#tion seriousl3 in1ures an in$i0i$ual- an$ t*e reasona>leness of t*e a#tion $epen$s on fa#t
6

fin$ings- t*e e0i$en#e use$ to pro0e t*e 2o0ernmentGs #ase must >e $is#lose$ to t*e in$i0i$ual so t*at *e *as an opportunit3 to s*oB t*at it is untrue. 4*ile t*is is important in t*e #ase of $o#umentar3 e0i$en#e- it is e0en more important B*ere t*e e0i$en#e #onsists of t*e testimon3 of in$i0i$uals B*ose memor3 mig*t >e fault3 or B*o- in fa#t- mig*t >e per1urers or persons moti0ate$ >3 mali#e- 0in$i#ti0eness- intoleran#e- pre1u$i#e- or 1ealous3. 4e *a0e formali@e$ t*ese prote#tions in t*e re5uirements of #onfrontation an$ #ross9e<amination. ;*e3 *a0e an#ient roots. ;*e3 fin$ e<pression in t*e Si<t* Amen$ment.... ;*is Court *as >een @ealous to prote#t t*ese rig*ts from erosion. =t *as spo,en out not onl3 in #riminal #ases-...>ut also in all t3pes of #ases B*ere a$ministrati0e...a#tions Bere un$er s#rutin3. 4elfare re#ipients must t*erefore >e gi0en an opportunit3 to #onfront an$ #ross9e<amine t*e Bitnesses relie$ on >3 t*e $epartment. 4e ma3- *oBe0er- noti#e t*at e0en in t*e ?nite$ States of Ameri#a- t*e a##use$Gs rig*t un$er t*e Si<t* Amen$ment is not a>solute. ;*e rig*t of #onfrontment of an a##use$ is su>1e#t to 1ust e<#eptions- in#lu$ing an or$erl3 >e*a0iour in t*e #ourtroom. =n #ase of $isrupti0e >e*a0iour an a##use$ #an >e as,e$ to go outsi$e t*e #ourt room so long *e $oes not un$erta,e to >e*a0e in an or$erl3 manner. =t Bas so *el$ in State of =llinois 0. 4illiam Allen reporte$ in 39 ?S 33 . An a##use$ is- *oBe0er- alBa3s entitle$ to a fair trial. De is also entitle$ to a spee$3 trial >ut t*en *e #annot interfere Bit* t*e go0ernmental priorit3 to pro#ee$ Bit* t*e trial B*i#* Boul$ >e $efeate$ >3 #on$u#t of t*e a##use$ t*at pre0ents it from going forBar$. =n su#* an e0ent se0eral options are open to #ourts. 4*at- *oBe0eris ne#essar3 is to maintain 1u$i#ial $ignit3 an$ $e#orum. ;*e 5uestion B*i#* arises for #onsi$eration is B*et*er t*e same Bill ta,e Bit*in its um>rage t*e sai$ prin#iple. 4e Bill e<amine t*e sai$ 5uestion a little later. 4e Bill pro#ee$ on t*e premise t*at for in0o#ation of t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e t*e prin#iple of natural 1usti#e is in>uilt in t*e rig*t of an a##use$. A rig*t to #ross9e<amine a Bitness- apart from >eing a natural rig*t is a statutor3 rig*t. Se#tion 13 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t pro0i$es for e<amination9 in9#*ief- #ross9e<amination an$ re9e<amination. Se#tion 138 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t #onfers a rig*t on t*e a$0erse part3 to #ross9e<amine a Bitness B*o *a$ >een e<amine$ in #*iefsu>1e#t of #ourse to e<pression of *is $esire to t*e sai$ effe#t. )ut in$isputa>l3 su#* an opportunit3 is to >e grante$. An a##use$ *as not onl3 a 0alua>le rig*t to represent *imself- *e *as also t*e rig*t to >e informe$ t*erea>out. =f an e<#eption is to >e #ur0e$ out- t*e statute must sa3 so e<pressl3 or t*e same must >e #apa>le of >eing inferre$ >3 ne#essar3 impli#ation. ;*ere are statutes li,e t*e 8<tra$ition A#t- 1962 B*i#* e<#lu$es ta,ing of e0i$en#e 0i@9a90i@ opinion. (See 9 Sara>1it (i#, Sing* 0. ?nion of =n$ia +AN?ASCA00!1A2008 & (2008)2SCC!1 . 1!. =t is also >e3on$ an3 #a0il t*at t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e must re#ei0e stri#t interpretationan$- t*us- s#rupulous #omplian#e t*ereof is imperati0e in #*ara#ter. =t is a Bell ,noBn prin#iple of interpretation of statute t*at an3 Bor$ $efine$ in t*e statutor3 pro0ision s*oul$ or$inaril3 >e gi0en t*e same meaning B*ile #onstruing t*e ot*er pro0isions t*ereof B*ere t*e same term *as >een use$. ?n$er Se#tion 3 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t li,e an3 ot*er fa#t- t*e prose#ution must pro0e >3 lea$ing e0i$en#e an$ a $efinite #ategori#al fin$ing must >e arri0e$ at >3 t*e #ourt in regar$ to t*e fa#t re5uire$ to >e pro0e$ >3 a statute. 8<isten#e of an e0i$en#e is not enoug* >ut appli#ation of min$ >3 t*e #ourt t*ereupon as also t*e anal3sis of t*e materials an$Aor appre#iation t*ereof for t*e purpose of pla#ing relian#e upon t*at part of t*e e0i$en#e is imperati0e in #*ara#ter. 1'. 6eeping in 0ieB t*e aforementione$ prin#iples in min$ Be ma3 noti#e at t*is stage t*e appli#ation file$ >3 t*e prose#ution on 1st .anuar3- 199! an$ t*e or$er passe$ t*ereon on t*e same $ate- B*i#* are as un$er& ;*e appli#ation on >e*alf of t*e prose#ution *erein pra3 t*at& a. ;*at t*is DonG>le Court *as frame$ t*e #*arge against t*e a##use$ Nos. 1 to 12 an$ a>s#on$ing a##use$ Nos. 1 to 3 on 30.12.1993 an$ t*e #ase is postpone$ for *earing an$ re#or$ing of t*e e0i$en#e of t*e Bitnesses from to$a3 i.e. 1st .anuar3- 199!.

>. ;*at t*e e0i$en#e B*i#* is to >e le$ against t*e present a##use$ Nos. 1 to 12 is also in respe#t of t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ Nos. 1 to 8. #. ;*at it is pro0e$ t*at it *as >e#ome ne#essar3 to re#or$ t*e e0i$en#e of t*e Bitnesses against t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ in t*eir a>sen#e. =t is- t*erefore- pra3e$ t*at t*e or$er ma3 >e passe$ to re#or$ t*e e0i$en#e against t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ Nos. 1 to 8 in t*eir a>sen#e. Pune "ate 9 1.1.199! (7i1a3 SaBant) Spe#ial P.P. %("8( After splitting up t*e #ase Bit* regar$ to t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ as per t*e $ire#tions of t*e Donoura>le Supreme Court in its or$er $ate$ 23r$ No0em>er- 1993 in petitions for Spe#ial Lea0e to Appeal Nos. 16!39!6A93 Bit* SLP (Crl.) No. 19 29 3A93- 2230- 1936- 1900901A93- t*is Court is pro#ee$e$ Bit* t*e present #ase an$ *as frame$ t*e #*arge against a##use$ Nos. 1 to 12. DoBe0er- as t*ese tBel0e a##use$ *a0e >een #*arge$ along Bit* t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$- as s*oBn in t*e #*arge9s*eet- t*e prose#ution #an a$$u#e e0i$en#e relating to t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ so far rele0ant t*e #*arge an$ t*e $e#ision of t*e #ase. 8ig*t a##use$ persons *a0e >een s*oBn as a>s#on$ing a##use$. As t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ are not >efore t*e Court t*e 5uestion of t*eir i$entit3 Bill also arise an$ it Bill >e ne#essar3 to gi0e t*em an opportunit3 to #ross9e<amine t*e Bitnesses. ;*erefore- it Boul$ not >e 1ust an$ proper to use t*e e0i$en#e to >e re#or$e$ in t*e present #ase against t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ an$ *e e0i$en#e Bill >e re5uire$ to >e re#or$e$ separatel3 as to ena>le t*em to #ross9e<amine t*e Bitnesses. DoBe0er- if an3 $eponent $ies or >e#omes in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e or #annot >e foun$ or *is presen#e #annot >e pro#ure$ Bit*out an amount of $ela3- e<pense or in#on0enien#e B*i#* un$er t*e #ir#umstan#es of t*e #ase Boul$ >e unreasona>le t*en t*e e0i$en#e re#or$e$ in t*is matter ma3 >e use$ as per t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 299 of t*e Criminal Pro#e$ure Co$e. (".S. Eonting) .u$ge- "esignate$ Court- Pune "ate$ 1st .anuar3- 199! 16. ;*e appli#ation *a0ing >een file$ >3 t*e Spe#ial Pu>li# Prose#utor an$ t*e or$er *a0ing >een passe$ on t*e same $ate it is >e3on$ an3 #a0il t*at >efore t*e Court apart from t*e fa#t t*at a pro#lamation un$er Se#tion 82 *a$ >een issue$ against t*e appellant- no ot*er material Bas pla#e$. =t noB stan$s a##epte$ t*at e0en mu#* prior t*ereto- i.e.- as far >a#, as 23r$ .ul3- 1993- t*e appellant Bas arreste$. ;*e sai$ fa#t Bas ,noBn to t*e in0estigating offi#er. )3 a letter $ate$ 1st Septem>er- 1993 t*e =n0estigating %ffi#er *imself *a$ informe$ t*e Court in regar$ t*ereto. =t also noB stan$s a$mitte$ t*at at least in tBo #ases appellant *a$ >een arreste$ an$ pro$u#e$ >efore t*e Courts in +a*aras*tra an$ in fa#t *a$ >een reman$e$ to t*e poli#e #usto$3. =t is furt*ermore neit*er in $ou>t nor in $ispute t*at B*ereas in one of t*ose #ases t*e appellant Bas arreste$ on 20 t* No0em>er- 1993 an$ on t*e same $ate *e Bas s*oBn to *a0e >een arreste$ an$ ta,en in poli#e #usto$3 on#e again in anot*er #ase. ;*ese fa#ts Bere re5uire$ to >e >roug*t to t*e noti#e of t*e Court. ;*e CourtGs attention s*oul$ *a0e also >een $raBn to t*e aforementione$ letter $ate$ 1st Septem>er- 1993. Da$ t*ese fa#ts >een >roug*t to t*e noti#e of t*e #ourt- #oul$ it pass t*e impugne$ or$er is t*e 5uestion 4e ma3 assume t*at t*e #ourt mig*t *a0e $one so. )ut for t*e purpose of passing an or$er- >e un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e or Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! of ;A"A- it Bas re5uire$ to appl3 its min$ as regar$s t*e e<isten#e of t*e 1uris$i#tional fa#t. ;*e materials on re#or$ Bere re5uire$ to >e $is#usse$- reasons t*erefor Bere re5uire$ to >e re#or$e$. DoB $espite t*e fa#t t*at t*e appellant *a$ alrea$3 >een #usto$3 of t*e "el*i Poli#e 0i@9 a9 i0i@ t*e +a*aras*tra Poli#e- *e #oul$ >e terme$ to >e an a>s#on$er an$ t*ere Bas no prospe#t of se#uring *is imme$iate presen#e- Bas re5uire$ to >e #onsi$ere$.

=n$isputa>l3 >ot* t*e #on$itions #ontaine$ in t*e first part of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e must >e rea$ #on1un#ti0el3 an$ not $is1un#ti0el3. Satisfa#tion of one of t*e re5uirements s*oul$ >e not suffi#ient. =t Bas t*us- o>ligator3 on t*e part of t*e learne$ #ourt to arri0e at a fin$ing on t*e >asis of t*e materials >roug*t on re#or$ >3 >ringing a #ogent e0i$en#e t*at t*e 1uris$i#tional fa#ts e<iste$ so as to ena>le t*e #ourt #on#erne$ to pass an appropriate or$er on t*e appli#ation file$ >3 t*e Spe#ial Pu>li# Prose#utor. Se#tion 299 of t*e NeB Co$e #orrespon$s to Se#tion '12 of t*e %l$ Co$e. ;*e appli#a>ilit3 of t*e aforementione$ pro0isions #ame up for #onsi$eration >efore some of t*e Dig* Courts. 4e Bill noti#e a feB of t*em. =n (ustam 0. 8mperor A=( 191' All !11- t*e Alla*a>a$ Dig* Court *el$ as un$er& =t is #lear from t*e language of t*e se#tion t*at t*e Court B*i#* re#or$s t*e pro#ee$ings un$er it- must first of all re#or$ an or$er t*at in its opinion- it *as >een pro0e$ t*at t*e a##use$ *as a>s#on$e$ an$ t*at t*ere is no imme$iate prospe#t of *is arrest. No su#* fin$ing appears on t*e file of 189 : in fa#t no e0i$en#e Bas ta,en in t*at 3ear to s*oB t*at t*e present appellant Bas a>s#on$ing an$ t*at t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of *is arrest. ;*e e0i$en#e of 189 >eing in9a$missi>le- t*e #on0i#tion of t*e appellant on t*e >asis of su#* e0i$en#e #annot stan$. ;o t*e same effe#t is t*e $e#ision of t*e +a$ras Dig* Court in +3sore 0. San1ee0a A=( 19'6 +3s. 1 B*erein it Bas *el$& (1!) ;*e 5uestion also arises as to B*at #onstitutes a>s#on$ing. ;*e Bor$ Fa>s#on$erG is not $efine$ in t*e Co$e of Criminal pro#e$ure. =t o##urs in ot*er pro0isions of #riminal laB e.g. Se#tions 8 an$ 90(a)- Cr. P.C. an$ Se#tion 1 2 =.P.C. /rom t*e #onte<t an$ o>1e#t of t*ese pro0isions an a>s#on$er ma3 >e sai$ to >e one B*o intentionall3 ma,es *imself ina##essi>le to t*e pro#esses of laB. Den#e it is not enoug* if it is s*oBn t*at it Bas not possi>le to tra#e *im soon after t*e o##urren#e. =t *as also to >e esta>lis*e$ t*at *e Bas a0aila>le at or a>out t*e time of t*e #ommission of t*e allege$ offen#e an$ #ease$ to >e a0aila>le after t*e #ommission of t*e offen#e- >efore *e #an >e treate$ as an a>s#on$er. Similarl3- it *as to >e esta>lis*e$ t*at t*ere is no imme$iate prospe#t of arresting t*e a##use$. ;*en t*e 5uestion arises- B*et*er it is enoug* if t*e material on re#or$ s*oBs t*at t*ese #on$itions *a0e >een fulfille$ or B*et*er it is ne#essar3 t*at t*e re#or$ing Court s*oul$ e<pli#itl3 state t*at it *as so satisfie$ itself >efore t*e $eposition is a#tuall3 re#or$e$. Su#* 1uris$i#tional fa#ts must >e e<isting on t*is $ate of passing of t*e or$er. =n S*i0 C*an$er 6apoor 0. Amar )ose +AN?ASCA0!98A1989 & A=(1990SC32' t*is Court *el$& 12. 4e *a0e no $ou>t t*at t*e language of Se#tion 21 of t*e A#t #learl3 for>i$s t*e Controller from em>ar,ing on an en5uir3 >e3on$ t*e am>it of Se#tion 21 itself B*i#* ma3 impinge into t*e sp*ere of Se#tion 1! of t*e A#t or an3 ot*er laB. 4e *a0e no *esitation in *ol$ing t*at it is t*e e<isten#e of t*e aforesai$ 1uris$i#tional fa#ts at t*e time of grant of permission to #reate a limite$ tenan#3 B*i#* alone is re5uire$ to >e $etermine$ >3 t*e Controller- if an$ B*en- 0ali$it3 of *is permission is assaile$ at a su>se5uent stage. ;*is >eing t*e s#ope of *is en5uir3 B*ile granting permission- t*e s#ope of en5uir3 at t*e su>se5uent stage #annot >e Bi$er. /or t*is reason an3 o>1e#tion to t*e 0ali$it3 of t*e permission on a groun$ ot*er t*an non9e<isten#e of t*e 1uris$i#tional fa#ts at t*e time of grant of permission is untena>le an$ >e3on$ t*e s#ope of t*e ControllerGs poBer to e<amine 0ali$it3 of *is earlier permission >efore $ire#ting restoration of possession to t*e lan$lor$ un$er Se#tion 21 of t*e A#t. =n +an>ot* 0. 8mperor +AN?ANAA00'0A19!3- Na@ir A*ma$ 0. 8mperor +AN?AP(A0020A1936 an$ (ustam (supra) Bas folloBe$. 4e must- *oBe0er- noti#e t*at in )*agBati 0. 8mperor +AN?A?PA01'8A1918 & A=(1918All60 - t*e Alla*a>a$ Dig* Court *el$& ;*e se#tion noB*ere sa3s t*at t*e +agistrate must re#or$ a fin$ing. 4e Bis* to ma,e it 5uite #lear t*at in our opinion a +agistrate >efore re#or$ing e0i$en#e un$er Se#tion '12 oug*t to >e satisfie$ t*at t*e a##use$ is
9

a>s#on$ing an$ t*at t*ere is no imme$iate prospe#t of *is arrest- an$ it is #ertainl3 a$0isa>le t*at *e s*oul$ re#ite in *is or$er t*at *e fin$s t*is to >e t*e #ase. DoBe0er- in t*is #ase Be fin$ t*at t*e +agistrate *a$ #lear e0i$en#e t*at t*e a##use$ Bere a>s#on$ing- an$ e0i$en#e from B*i#* t*e +agistrate mig*t reasona>l3 infer t*at t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of t*eir arrest. =n *is or$er *e e<pressl3 states t*at *e is ta,ing t*e e0i$en#e un$er S. '12. ;*e presumption is t*at t*e +agistrate $i$ *is $ut3 an$ $i$ not re#or$ t*e e0i$en#e un$er S. '12 unlaBfull3. =n our opinion t*e mere fa#t t*at t*e learne$ +agistrate $i$ not re#ite a fin$ing t*at t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of t*e arrest of t*e a##use$ $oes not ren$er t*e e0i$en#e ina$missi>le. 4e- Bit* utmost respe#t- $o not agree. ;*ere is no su#* presumption in laB. An or$er of t*at nature must e<*i>it total appli#ation of min$. A 1u$i#ious approa#* is imperati0e. /or t*e sai$ purpose t*e #ourts must >ear in min$ t*at an a##use$ *as a /un$amental (ig*t as also Duman (ig*t. ;*e term Fpro0e$G *a0ing >een use$ in t*e Se#tion- pro0i$ing for an e<#eption to t*e general rule- Bas re5uire$ to >e stri#tl3 #onstrue$. =t Bas not an ipse $i<it of t*e +agistrate t*at Boul$ >e suffi#ient for attra#ting an e<tra or$inar3 pro0ision. ;*e +agistrate Bas re5uire$ to appl3 *is min$ to arri0e at a $efiniti0e fin$ing on t*e >asis of t*e materials on re#or$- in a>sen#e B*ereof- *is or$er must >e *el$ to >e ar>itrar3 an$- t*us- Bit*out 1uris$i#tion. 4e ma3- *oBe0er- noti#e t*at in .anu 0. 8mperor A=( 19! Sin$ 122- a "i0ision )en#* of t*e Court *el$& NoB- B*en t*e se#tion sa3s Iif it is pro0e$I- Be t*in,- it must mean- if it is pro0e$ a##or$ing to e0i$en#e- properl3a$missi>le un$er 80i$en#e A#t. )*agBati (supra) *as >een $istinguis*e$ stating& )ut referen#e to t*at #ase itself s*oBs t*at t*e +agistrate *a$ re#or$e$ e0i$en#e un$er t*e pro0isions of Se#tion '12. De a#tuall3 put on t*e re#or$ a fin$ing t*at t*e a##use$ *a$ a>s#on$e$- >ut $i$ not go on furt*er to sa3 t*at t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of t*eir arrest. ;*ere Bas- *oBe0er- e0i$en#e on t*e re#or$ from B*i#* t*e +agistrate mig*t *a0e reasona>l3 inferre$ t*at t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of arrest.... ;*at #ase is- in$ee$aut*orit3 for t*e statement t*at if e0i$en#e is on re#or$ t*at t*e a##use$ Bere a>s#on$ing an$ t*ere Bas no imme$iate prospe#t of t*eir arrest t*e a>sen#e of a formal fin$ing to t*at effe#t $oes not in0ali$ate t*e pro#ee$ings. Se#tion '12- in$ee$ $oes not state t*at t*ere s*oul$ >e a formal fin$ing. )ut o>0iousl3 S.'12 re5uires t*at t*ere s*oul$ >e upon re#or$ e0i$en#e properl3 a$missi>le un$er t*e 80i$en#e A#t. (See also 2*ur>in )in$ 0. Cueen 8mpress +AN?A4)A0139A188! &188! =L( Cal 109 B*erein it *as >een *el$ t*at t*e fa#t of a>s#on$ing to >e allege$- trie$ an$ esta>lis*e$).. 4e ma3- at t*is stage- also noti#e a $e#ision of t*is Court in Nirmal Sing* 0. State of Dar3ana +AN?ASCA01 8A1999 & 1999CriL.1836 B*erein it Bas *el$ t*at Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e is in tBo parts. =n t*at #ase t*e +agistrate- B*o *a$ re#or$e$ t*e statements un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e- Bas e<amine$ to in$i#ate t*at in fa#t *e *a$ re#or$e$ t*e statements. Cross9e<amination of t*e sai$ +agistrate Bas ne#essar3 as t*ere Bas a $ispute as to B*et*er t*ere Bas an3 material t*at t*e persons B*ose statements *a$ >een re#or$e$ Bere $ie$ or not. =t Bas in t*at #onte<t t*is Court opine$& ;*e +agistrate B*o *as re#or$e$ t*e statement un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Criminal Pro#e$ure Co$e- *as >een e<amine$ to in$i#ate t*at in fa#t *e *as re#or$e$ t*e statements. De also furt*er #onten$e$ t*at t*e pro#ess9 ser0er $i$ su>mit t*e report t*at t*e persons are $ea$- B*ereafter t*e statements re#or$e$ un$er Se#tion 299 Cr PC Bere ten$ere$ in e0i$en#e in t*e #ourse of trial. =t is true t*at t*e learne$ Sessions .u$ge *as not passe$ an3 or$er to t*at effe#t >ut non9passing of su#* or$er Boul$ at t*e most >e an irregularit3 B*i#* is #ura>le un$er Se#tion !6' of t*e Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure- more so- B*en t*e a##use$ *a$ not raise$ an3 o>1e#tion at an3 earlier stage of t*e pro#ee$ing. ;*is Court $i$ not sa3 as Bas #onten$e$ >3 +r. Nafa$e t*at non9 #omplian#e of Se#tion 299 Boul$ >e an irregularit3. 4*at Bas #onsi$ere$ to >e an irregularit3 Bas non re#or$ing of a statement t*at t*e persons #on#erne$ Bere $ea$. =n fa#t t*e $is#ussions on Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e an$ Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t starts from paragrap* ! B*erein it Bas #ategori#all3 *el$&
10

)eing an e<#eption- it is ne#essar3- t*erefore- t*at all t*e #on$itions pres#ri>e$- must >e stri#tl3 #omplie$ Bit*. =n ot*er Bor$s- >efore re#or$ing t*e statement of t*e Bitnesses pro$u#e$ >3 t*e prose#ution- t*e #ourt must >e satisfie$ t*at t*e a##use$ *as a>s#on$e$ or si# (an$) t*at t*ere is no imme$iate prospe#t of arresting *im- as pro0i$e$ un$er t*e first part of Se#tion 299(1) of t*e Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure. =n t*e #ase in *an$- t*ere is no grie0an#e a>out non9#omplian#e Bit* an3 of t*e re5uirements of t*e first part of Su>9se#tion (1) of Se#tion 299 Cr PC. 4*en t*e a##use$ is arreste$ an$ put up for trial- if an3 su#* $eposition of an3 Bitness is inten$e$ to >e use$ as e0i$en#e against t*e a##use$ in an3 trial- t*en t*e #ourt must >e satisfie$ t*at eit*er t*e $eponent is $ea$ or in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e or #annot >e foun$ or *is presen#e #annot >e pro#ure$ Bit*out an amount of $ela3e<pense or in#on0enien#e- B*i#* Boul$ >e unreasona>le. ;*e entire argument of +r 2opal Su>ramaniumappearing for t*e appellant is t*at an3 one of t*ese #ir#umstan#es- B*i#* permits t*e prose#ution to use t*e statements of su#* Bitnesses- re#or$e$ un$er Se#tion 299(1) must >e pro0e$ an$ t*e #ourt #on#erne$ must >e satisfie$ an$ re#or$ a #on#lusion t*ereon. =n ot*er Bor$s- li,e an3 ot*er fa#t- it must first >e pro0e$ >3 t*e prose#ution t*at eit*er t*e $eponent is $ea$ or is in#apa>le of gi0ing e0i$en#e or #annot >e foun$ or *is presen#e #annot >e pro#ure$ Bit*out an amount of $ela3- e<pense or in#on0enien#e B*i#*- un$er t*e #ir#umstan#es Boul$ >e unreasona>le. =n t*e #ase in *an$- t*ere is no or$er of t*e learne$ trial .u$ge- re#or$ing a #on#lusion t*at on t*e materials- *e Bas satisfie$ t*at t*e persons B*o are e<amine$ >3 t*e +agistrate un$er Se#tion 299(1) are $ea$- t*oug* a##or$ing to t*e prose#ution #ase- it is onl3 after summons >eing issue$ an$ t*e pro#ess9ser0er *a0ing reporte$ t*ose persons to >e $ea$- t*eir former statements Bere ten$ere$ as e0i$en#e in trial an$ Bere mar,e$ as 8<*i>its P49 !8AA to P49!8A8. As *as >een state$ earlier- sin#e t*e laB empoBers t*e #ourt to utilise su#* statements of persons B*ose statements Bere re#or$e$ in t*e a>sen#e of t*e a##use$ as an e<#eption to t*e normal prin#iples em>o$ie$ in Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t- inasmu#* as t*e a##use$ *as >een $enie$ t*e opportunit3 of #ross9 e<amining t*e Bitnesses- it is- t*erefore- ne#essar3 t*at t*e pre#on$itions for utilising su#* statements in e0i$en#e $uring trial must >e esta>lis*e$ an$ pro0e$ li,e an3 ot*er fa#t. ;*ere possi>l3 #annot >e an3 $ispute Bit* t*e proposition of laB t*at for ta,ing t*e >enefits of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure- t*e #on$itions pre#e$ent t*erein must >e $ul3 esta>lis*e$ an$ t*e prose#ution- B*i#* proposes to utilise t*e sai$ statement as e0i$en#e in trial- must- t*erefore- pro0e a>out t*e e<isten#e of t*e pre#on$itions >efore ten$ering t*e e0i$en#e. 1 . =n t*is #ase moreo0er t*e appellant *a$ not >een a>s#on$ing after *e Bas arreste$. ;*e term Fa>s#on$ingG *as >een $efine$ in se0eral $i#tionaries. 4e ma3 refer to some of t*em. )la#,Gs LaB "i#tionar3 9 ;o $epart se#retl3 or su$$enl3- esp. to a0oi$ arrest- prose#ution or ser0i#e of pro#ess. P. (amanat*a Ai3ar 9 primar3 meaning of Bor$ is Fto *i$eG. %<for$ 8nglis* "i#tionar3 9 F;o >i$e or soB aBa3G. 4or$s an$ p*rases 9 F#lan$estine mannerAintent to a0oi$ legal pro#essG =n 6artare3 0. State of ?.P. +AN?ASCA0138A19 ' & 19 6CriL.13 t*is Court *el$& !3. /urt*er it is Brong to sa3 t*at )al1eet ne0er a>s#on$e$. Contrar3 to B*at )al1eet *as sai$ in *is e<amination un$er Se#tion 3!2 of t*e Cr PC- t*e =n0estigating %ffi#er- P4 - testifie$ t*at )al1eet Bas foun$ *i$ing in a #**appar in t*e 0illage from B*ere *e Bas arreste$. ;*is a##ount of )al1eetGs arrest Bas not #*allenge$ in #ross9 e<amination. ;o >e an Ia>s#on$erI in t*e e3e of laB- it is not ne#essar3 t*at a person s*oul$ *a0e run aBa3 from *is *ome- it is suffi#ient if *e *i$es *imself to e0a$e t*e pro#ess of laB- e0en if t*e *i$ing pla#e >e *is oBn *ome. 4e t*erefore- $o not fin$ an3 groun$ to $istinguis* t*e #ase of )al1eet from t*at of Sitaram an$ to treat *im $ifferentl3. /urt*ermore for t*e purpose of in0o,ing Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e t*e learne$ "esignate$ .u$ge Bas re5uire$ to *ol$ on t*e $ate of passing of t*e or$er- namel3 1st .anuar3- 199! t*at *e *a$ >een a>s#on$ing on t*at $ate. =n 0ieB of t*e nature of e0i$en#e B*i#* *a$ >een >roug*t on re#or$- it Bas not possi>le for *im to *ol$ so- namel3 9 a) Letter $ate$ 1st Septem>er- 1993 >) Arrest of t*e petitioner >3 ;*ane (ural Poli#e in /=( No. 3A92. #) =.%Gs letter $ate$ 2't* %#to>er- 1993.
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$) (epl3 $ate$ 1st No0em>er- 1993 e) ;*ir$ arrest of t*e petitioner on 20t* No0em>er- 1993 in /=( No.23 A92 of +ani,pur Poli#e Station. f) %n 20t* No0em>er- 1993 petitioner Bas arreste$ in anot*er /=( No. 161A92 in 7irar Poli#e Station. ;*e learne$ "esignate$ .u$ge no $ou>t issue$ a pro#lamation >ut t*e same Bas $one in /e>ruar3- 1993. %n#e a person is arreste$ an$Aor is ot*erBise #apa>le of >eing >roug*t to #ourt- t*e pro#lamation #eases to *a0e an3 effe#t. %n#e a person is arreste$- *e #annot >e #onsi$ere$ as a pro#laime$ offen$er. =t is not a laB t*at on#e a pro#laime$ offen$er s*all all along >e treate$ to >e so. =f *e *a$ a rig*t to ta,e part in t*e trial- t*e trial #ourt Bas $ut3 >oun$ to pro0i$e for t*e same. =n an3 e0ent t*e learne$ "esignate$ .u$ge $i$ not rel3 on t*e pro#lamation ma$e un$er Se#tion 82 of t*e Co$e. =t is in t*e aforementione$ situation- Be ma3 #onsi$er as to B*et*er Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! of t*e A#t Boul$ >e attra#te$. No appli#ation *as >een file$ un$er t*e aforementione$ pro0ision. /or in0o#ation of t*e sai$ pro0ision- materials Bere re5uire$ to >e >roug*t on re#or$ so as to ena>le t*e #ourt to arri0e at a fin$ing t*at it Bas ne#essar3 so to $o. ;*e #on$ition pre#e$ent t*erefor Bas Fif it t*in,s fitG. /or t*e sai$ purpose *e Bas to re#or$ reasons. Su#* an or$er #oul$ >e passe$ Bit* a 0ieB to #ontinue Bit* t*e trial. =t ma3 >e for a $a3 or for a feB $a3s. ;*e a##use$ or$inaril3 an$ su>1e#t to 1ust e<#eptions must >e fa#ing t*e trial. =n ot*er Bor$s- t*e #ourt Bas re5uire$ to opine t*at re#or$ing of e0i$en#e is urgent or t*ere e<iste$ #ertain an$ #ogent reasons B*i#* Boul$ ena>le *im to re#or$ e0i$en#e in a>sen#e of an a##use$ or *is plea$er. (e#or$ing of reasons is imperati0e in #*ara#ter. =t is t*e onl3 safeguar$ B*i#* *a$ >een pro0i$e$ to #*e#, an ar>itrar3 e<er#ise of poBer. =t e<pressl3 preser0es t*e rig*t of t*e a##use$ to re#all t*e Bitness for #ross9 e<amination. =t $oes not #ontemplate a situation li,e t*e one un$er Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e. )3 reason of t*e sai$ pro0ision e0en t*e rele0an#e of t*e e0i$en#e as en0isage$ un$er Se#tion 33 of t*e 80i$en#e A#t is not ta,en aBa3. 4e must pla#e on re#or$ t*at t*ere are enoug* materials on t*e re#or$ to s*oB t*at t*e appellant *a$ ma$e all attempts to >e trie$ alongBit* ot*er a##use$ persons. De in fa#t mo0e$ t*is Court un$er Arti#le 32 of t*e Constitution of =n$ia for t*e aforementione$ purpose B*erein- on 23 r$ No0em>er- 1993 an or$er Bas passe$ stating& Lea0e grante$ After *earing t*e learne$ A$$itional Soli#itor 2eneral an$ +r. P. C*i$am>ram- senior #ounsel appearing on >e*alf of State an$ petitioner- a##use$ respe#ti0el3- Be pass t*e folloBing or$er Bit* t*e #onsent of t*e parties. ;*e Presi$ing .u$ge of t*e "esignate$ Court- Pune is $ire#te$ to e<pe$ite t*e *earing of t*e #ase an$ #onsi$er t*e feasi>ilit3 of framing of #*arges or ot*erBise >efore 13 t* "e#em>er- 1993 after splitting up t*e #ase Bit* regar$ to t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$- if an3- an$ #ommen#e t*e trial from 1!t* "e#em>er- 1993 an$ e<amine Bitnesses on $a3 to $a3 >asis. )ot* t*e parties *a0e agree$ t*at t*e3 Bill not >e ta,ing an3 a$1ournment on an3 groun$ an$ on t*e ot*er- t*e3 Bill full3 #ooperate in t*e trial of t*e #ase. ;*e Presi$ing .u$ge of t*e "esignate$ Court is furt*er $ire#te$ to e<amine t*e material Bitnesses first in t*e or$er an$ t*ereafter t*e ot*er remaining Bitness. ;*is or$er is Bit*out pre1u$i#e to t*e rig*ts an$ #ontentions of t*e parties to urge an3 legal point in#lu$ing 1uris$i#tion of t*e "esignate$ Court. ;*e sai$ or$er Bas passe$ in t*e #ase of t*e appellant *imself. =f *e $i$ not Bant to stan$ *is trial at t*at staget*e 5uestion of issuan#e of t*e sai$ $ire#tion $i$ not arise. 80en t*e 5uestion of splitting of t*e #ase Bit* regar$ to t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ $i$ not arise. Appellant >eing agreea>le not to ta,e a$1ournment on an3 groun$ an$ *is un$erta,ing to full3 #ooperate in t*e trial of t*e #ase #oul$ not arise if *e Boul$ not *a0e >een stan$ing trial. ;*e effort on t*e part of t*e appellant to >e pro$u#e$ >efore t*e ;A"A Court is e0i$ent from t*e fa#t t*at not onl3 *e
12

file$ an appli#ation in t*at >e*alf >efore t*e "el*i Dig* Court- *e e0en file$ se0eral appli#ations in t*e pen$ing pro#ee$ings. ;*e Dig* Court >3 its or$er $ate$ 19t* "e#em>er- 199! $ire#te$& ;*e pra3er ma$e in t*is petition is t*at respon$ent No. !- B*o is re5uire$ to fa#e trial in a Court in +a*aras*tra s*oul$ >e transferre$ to t*at #ourt. ;*e petitioner forgets t*at respon$ent No. ! is fa#ing a trial in a serious offen#es in "el*i. =t is o>0ious t*at unless one trial is o0er- t*at ot*er trial #annot ta,e pla#e. (espon$ent No. ! #annot >e s*ifte$ from pla#e to anot*er so t*at trials #an ta,e pla#e simultaneousl3. ;*e interest of t*e petitioner+a*aras*tra State are Bell prote#te$ >3 ma,ing entries in t*e #*allan of respon$ent No. ! in 1ail re#or$ as Bell as in re#or$ of #ourt B*ere respon$ent No. ! is fa#ing trial in "el*i t*at *as not to >e release$ till an3 or$er is ma$e >3 a #ompetent #ourt in +a*aras*tra Bit* regar$ to t*e #ase pen$ing in t*at Court. As soon as t*e trial at "el*i #ompletes- respon$ent No. ! s*all >e transferre$ to t*e 1uris$i#tion of t*e #ourt at +a*aras*tra B*ere *e is to fa#e t*e trial. ;*e "el*i Court s*all ta,e e<pe$itious steps to #omplete t*e trial at an earl3 $ate. 4it* t*ese o>ser0ations- Be $ispose of t*is petition. Cop3 of t*is or$er >e sent to C*ief +etropolitan +agistrate- to ;A"A Court B*ere respon$ent No. ! is fa#ing t*e trial an$ also to Sup$t. .ail an$ to "esignate$ Court in Pune. ;*us- *e- for all intent an$ purport- ma$e su>1e#t to t*e 1uris$i#tion of t*e Pune ;A"A Court as Bell. +r. Nafa$e Boul$ su>mit t*at *a0ing regar$ to t*e fa#t t*at t*e appellant *a0ing file$ se0eral appli#ations >efore t*e ;A"A Court- #oul$ *a0e also 5uestione$ t*e legalit3 of t*e or$er $ate$ 1st .anuar3- 199!. Su#* an o##asionin our opinion- $i$ not arise parti#ularl3 *a0ing regar$ to t*e nature of t*e or$er passe$ t*erein. An a##use$ or$inaril3 Boul$ not >e presume$ to *a0e Bai0e$ *is rig*t. ;*e pro#e$ural prin#iples li,e estoppel or Bai0er Boul$ not >e attra#te$ B*ere an or$er is passe$ Bit*out 1uris$i#tion as t*e same Boul$ >e a nullit3. An or$er B*i#* is a nullit3 #annot >e >roug*t into effe#t for in0o,ing t*e prin#iples li,e estoppel- Bai0er or res 1u$i#ata. KSee C*ief .usti#e of An$*ra Pra$es* an$ Anr. 0. L.7.A. "i,s*itulu an$ %rs. +AN?ASCA0!16A19 8 & K19 9L1SC(26 L A >are perusal of t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e an$ Se#tion 1!(') of ;A"A it Boul$ >e e0i$ent t*at t*e3 operate in $ifferent fiel$s. ;*e ingre$ients of t*e sai$ pro0isions are $ifferent. +aterials- B*i#* are- t*usre5uire$ to >e >roug*t on re#or$ >3 t*e prose#ution for appli#ation of t*e aforementione$ pro0isions ma3 >e $ifferent- alt*oug* t*e3 ma3 >e o0erlapping to some e<tent. =n t*is #ase t*e learne$ Pu>li# Prose#utor must >e of t*e opinion t*at it Bas not a #ase B*ere Se#tion 1!(') of ;A"A s*all appl3- *a0ing regar$ to t*e fa#t t*at neit*er t*e a##use$ nor *is plea$er Bas >efore t*e Court. Alt*oug* Be $o not inten$ to pronoun#e finall3 on t*e point- >ut it appears to us t*at Se#tion 1!(') of ;A"A Boul$ >e attra#te$ onl3 B*en t*e a##use$ is fa#ing trial an$Aor ot*erBise represente$ t*roug* *is a$0o#ate. =f neit*er t*e a##use$ nor *is plea$er *a$ an o##asion to >e >efore t*e Court- Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! ma3 not >e *el$ to *a0e an3 appli#ation. ;*ere is anot*er aspe#t of t*e matter B*i#* #annot >e lost sig*t of. No #*arge9s*eet Bas file$ against t*e appellant. =n t*e #*arge9s*eet $ate$ 2 t* August- 1993- rig*tl3 or Brongl3- *e *a$ >een s*oBn as a>s#on$ing. =n t*e a>sen#e of an3 #*arge9s*eet no #ogni@an#e #oul$ *a0e >een ta,en against *im in t*e sense t*at *e #oul$ not *a0e >een $ire#te$ to stan$ trial.. =t is not t*e #ontention of t*e respon$ents t*at t*e learne$ +agistrate $espite t*e sai$ #*arge9s*eet $ate$ 2 t* August- 1993 *a$ ta,en #ogni@an#e against *im. ?n$ou>te$l3 in t*e or$er $ate$ 30t* "e#em>er- 1993- B*ile framing #*arges *is name *a$ >een s*oBn as an a>s#on$ing a##use$. De Bast*erefore- not >efore t*e Court. De #oul$ not *a0e ta,en part in *e trial. De Bas arreste$ formall3 onl3 on ! t* August- 1993 an$ #*arges Bere frame$ against *im onl3 on 1't* No0em>er- 2003. 4e *a0e noti#e$ *erein>efore t*e respe#ti0e $ates of $eat* of t*e Bitnesses #on#erne$. All t*e Bitnesses e<pire$ prior t*ereto. ;*e 5uestion of *is e<er#ising *is rig*t to #ross9e<amine t*e sai$ Bitnesses Boul$ *a0e arisen onl3 after t*e sai$ $ate an$ not prior t*ereto. =t is- in our opinion- in#orre#t to #onten$ t*at su#* a rig*t #oul$ >e e<er#ise$ at an3 $ate prior t*ereto. Su#* a 5uestion #oul$ *a0e arisen pro0i$e$ *e Bas fa#ing trial. =n t*at 0ieB of t*e matter Be are also of t*e opinion t*at it Bas not a #ase B*erein Su>9se#tion (') of Se#tion 1! of t*e A#t Boul$ *a0e >een attra#te$ sin#e t*e or$er of t*e ;A"A Court spe#ifi#all3 in0o,e$ Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e.

13

4e *a0e pro#ee$e$ on t*e >asis t*at t*e rig*t of #onfrontation is not a fun$amental rig*t or B*ere>3 a##use$Gs fun$amental rig*t *as not >een >rea#*e$. Arti#le 21- *oBe0er- en0isages a fair trial : a fair pro#e$ure an$ a fair in0estigation. )3 reason of su#* a rig*t alone t*e appellant Bas entitle$ not onl3 to >e informe$ a>out *is fun$amental rig*t an$ statutor3 rig*ts >ut it Bas o>ligator3 on t*e part of t*e Spe#ial Pu>li# Prose#utor to pla#e on re#or$ of t*e re5uisite materials >efore t*e learne$ "esignate$ .u$ge to s*oB t*at t*e appellant- after *is arrest in "el*i #ase on 23r$ .ul3- 1993 Bas not an a>s#on$er an$ t*us t*e pro0isions of Se#tion 299 of t*e Co$e Bas not attra#te$. +r. Nafa$e soug*t to pla#e >efore us to t*e gra0it3 of t*e offen#e. De *as $raBn our attention to t*e fa#t t*at t*is Court on an appeal preferre$ >3 t*e #omplainant re0erse$ t*e 1u$gment of a#5uittal passe$ >3 t*e ;A"A Court against ot*er a##use$ e<#ept si< a##use$ against B*om t*ere Bas no $ire#t allegation of mur$er. =n Noor Aga 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA2913A2008 &2008 (9) SCAL8 691 t*is Court B*ile $ealing Bit* a similar $ra#onian statute- *el$& !!. ;*e A#t #ontains $ra#onian pro0isions. =t must- *oBe0er- >e >orne in min$ t*at t*e A#t Bas ena#te$ *a0ing regar$ to t*e man$ate #ontaine$ in =nternational Con0entions on Nar#oti# "rugs an$ Ps3#*otropi# Su>stan#es. %nl3 >e#ause t*e >ur$en of proof un$er #ertain #ir#umstan#es is pla#e$ on t*e a##use$- t*e same- >3 itself- in our opinion- Boul$ not ren$er t*e impugne$ pro0isions un#onstitutional. !' A rig*t to >e presume$ inno#ent- su>1e#t to t*e esta>lis*ment of #ertain foun$ational fa#ts an$ >ur$en of proofto a #ertain e<tent- #an >e pla#e$ on an a##use$. =t must >e #onstrue$ *a0ing regar$ to t*e ot*er international #on0entions an$ *a0ing regar$ to t*e fa#t t*at it *as >een *el$ to >e #onstitutional. ;*us- a statute ma3 >e #onstitutional >ut a prose#ution t*ereun$er ma3 not >e *el$ to >e one. =n$isputa>l3- #i0il li>erties an$ rig*ts of #iti@ens must >e up*el$. !6. A /un$amental (ig*t is not a>solute in terms. ! . =t is t*e #onsistent 0ieB of t*is Court t*at Freason to >elie0eG- as pro0i$e$ in se0eral pro0isions of t*e A#t an$ as $efine$ in Se#tion 26 of t*e =n$ian Penal Co$e- on t*e part of t*e offi#er #on#erne$ is essentiall3 a 5uestion of fa#t. !8. ;*e pro#e$ures lai$ $oBn un$er t*e A#t >eing stringent in nature- *oBe0er- must >e stri#tl3 #omplie$ Bit*. =t Bas furt*er *el$& '2. 8nfor#ement of laB- on t*e one *an$ an$ prote#tion of #iti@en from operation of in1usti#e in t*e *an$s of t*e laB enfor#ement ma#*iner3- on t*e ot*er- is- t*us- re5uire$ to >e >alan#e$. '3. ;*e #onstitutionalit3 of a penal pro0ision pla#ing >ur$en of proof on an a##use$- t*us- must >e teste$ on t*e an0il of t*e StateGs responsi>ilit3 to prote#t inno#ent #iti@ens. ;*is Court in 6artar Sing* 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA00 'A1993 &199! CriL. 3139 : .; 199! ( 2 ) SC !23 : 199' (2) SCAL8 '98a : (199! ) 3 SCC '69 : K199! L 2 SC( 3 ' *as *el$& 2 8. ...=t is t*e 1urispru$en#e of laB t*at #ross9 e<amination is an a#i$9test of t*e trut*fulness of t*e statement ma$e >3 a Bitness on oat* in e<amination9in9#*ief- t*e o>1e#ts of B*i#* are& (1) to $estro3 or Bea,en t*e e0i$entiar3 0alue of t*e Bitness of *is a$0ersar3: (2) to eli#it fa#ts in fa0our of t*e #ross9 e<amining laB3erGs #lient from t*e mout* of t*e Bitness of t*e a$0ersar3 part3: (3) to s*oB t*at t*e Bitness is unBort*3 of >elief >3 impea#*ing t*e #re$it of t*e sai$ Bitness: an$ t*e 5uestions to >e a$$resse$ in t*e #ourse of #ross9e<amination are to test *is 0era#it3: to $is#o0er B*o *e is an$ B*at is *is position in life: an$ to s*a,e *is #re$it >3 in1uring *is #*ara#ter.
1!

K See also C*olan (oa$Ba3s Lt$. 0. 2. ;*irugnanasam>an$am +AN?ASCA1080A200! & (200')=LL.'69SC L. =n 7imal>en A1it>*ai Patel 0. 7atsla>en As*o,>*ai Patel an$ %rs. +AN?ASCA 33!A2008 & A=(2008SC26 ' - t*is Court o>ser0e$& 32. ;*e pro0isions #ontaine$ in Se#tion 82 of t*e Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure Bere put on t*e statute >oo, for #ertain purpose. =t Bas ena#te$ to se#ure t*e presen#e of t*e a##use$. %n#e t*e sai$ purpose is a#*ie0e$- t*e atta#*ment s*all >e Bit*$raBn. 80en t*e propert3 B*i#* Bas atta#*e$- s*oul$ >e restore$. ;*e pro0isions of t*e Co$e of Criminal Pro#e$ure $o not Barrant sale of t*e propert3 $espite t*e fa#t t*at t*e a>s#on$ing a##use$ *a$ surren$ere$ an$ o>taine$ >ail. %n#e *e surren$ers >efore t*e #ourt an$ t*e stan$ing Barrants are #an#elle$- *e is no longer an a>s#on$er. ;*e purpose of atta#*ing t*e propert3 #omes to an en$. =t is to >e release$ su>1e#t to t*e pro0isions of t*e Co$e. Se#uring t*e atten$an#e of an a>s#on$ing a##use$- is a matter >etBeen t*e State an$ t*e a##use$. ;*e #omplainant s*oul$ not or$inaril3 $eri0e an3 >enefit t*erefrom. =f t*e propert3 is to >e sol$- it 0ests Bit* t*e State su>1e#t to an3 or$er passe$ un$er Se#tion 8' of t*e Co$e. =t #annot >e a su>1e#t9matter of e<e#ution of a $e#ree- far less for e<e#uting t*e $e#ree of a t*ir$ part3- B*o *a$ no rig*t- title or interest t*ereon. +r. Nafa$e Boul$ su>mit t*at t*e appellant $i$ not suffer an3 pre1u$i#e. 4e $o not agree. =nfringement of su#* a 0alua>le rig*t itself #auses pre1u$i#e. =n S.L. 6apoor 0. .agmo*an +AN?ASCA0036A1980 & K1981L1SC( !6 - t*is Court #learl3 *el$& =n our 0ieB t*e prin#iples of natural 1usti#e ,noB of no e<#lusionar3 rule $epen$ent on B*et*er it Boul$ *a0e ma$e an3 $ifferen#e if natural 1usti#e *a$ >een o>ser0e$. ;*e non9o>ser0an#e of natural 1usti#e is itself pre1u$i#e to an3 man an$ proof of pre1u$i#e in$epen$entl3 of proof of $enial of natural 1usti#e is unne#essar3. =t ill #omes from a person B*o *as $enie$ 1usti#e t*at t*e person B*o *as >een $enie$ 1usti#e is not pre1u$i#e$. =n A.(. Antula3 0. (.S. Na3a, an$ Anr. +AN?ASCA0002A1988 & 1988CriL.1661 a se0en .u$ge )en#* of t*is Court *as also *el$ t*at B*en an or$er *as >een passe$ in 0iolation of a fun$amental rig*t or in >rea#* of t*e prin#iples of natural 1usti#e- t*e same Boul$ >e nullit3. M See also State of Dar3ana 0. State of Pun1a> +AN?ASCA0'2!A200! & (200!)12SCC6 3 an$ (a1ast*an State (oa$ ;ransport Corporation an$ %rs. 0. Ea,ir Dussain +AN?ASCA0!96A200' & (200')===LL. 86SC N 18. /or t*e reasons aforesai$ t*e impugne$ or$er #annot >e sustaine$. =t is set asi$e a##or$ingl3. ;*e appeal is alloBe$.

1'