Criminal

Imperium of Constitutional Courts cannot be stifled

Dharam Pal v. State of Haryana & Ors.

29.01.2016

Whereas the Supreme Court recently rejected a petition asking for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into an alleged iron ore mining scam, it was anything but reticent allowing it in the instant case. In preceding proceedings, the High Court, determining whether it could transfer investigation of a crime to the CBI, had relied on the principle of “stage”. Despite irregularities in conduct of the police, the court had accepted that since trial had commenced and several witnesses had been examined investigation could not be transferred to the CBI.

The Supreme Court, in light of investigative deficiencies and irregularities, ruled that “stage” of proceedings could not be allowed as stumbling blocks to reinvestigation. Reviling the loss of democracy “if a citizen feels, the truth uttered by a poor man is seldom listened to”, it placed courts’ duties of upholding the truth and law as uppermost. As such, Constitutional Courts could not be fettered into accepting trial based on an unfounded investigation. In the instant case, material witnesses to the crime had not been examined and irregularities in police departments had been found.

Criminal matters discussing reinvestigation

Relevant

State of West Bengal and Ors. v. The Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights, West Bengal and Ors. MANU/SC/0121/2010
Prof. K.V. Rajendran v. Superintendent of Police, CBCID South Zone, Chennai and Ors.MANU/SC/0842/2013

Tags : Reinvestigation cbi irregularity sc/st

Share :