MANU/SC/0459/2023

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 60 of 2023

Decided On: 26.04.2023

Appellants: Ritu Chhabaria Vs. Respondent: Union of India (UOI) and Ors.

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:
Krishna Murari and C.T. Ravikumar

JUDGMENT

Krishna Murari, J.

1. The present writ petition Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the writ Petitioner herein seeking the release of her husband on default bail. The writ petition also raises an issue of grave importance of personal liberty enshrined Under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

FACTS

2. Briefly, the facts relevant to the present writ petition are that an FIR was lodged Under Section 120(B) read with Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, 'IPC') along with Sections 7, 12 and 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, wherein the writ Petitioner's husband was not named.

3. Subsequently, two supplementary chargesheets were filed, wherein the writ Petitioner's husband (hereinafter referred to as "Accused") was made a prosecution witness in the supplementary chargesheet dated 26.05.2020. Multiple other supplementary chargesheets were later filed, and the Accused was not named in any of the said chargesheets.

4. The investigation was then transferred to another investigating officer, and the Accused was then arrested by CBI and was remanded to custody on 28.04.2022. Multiple other supplementary chargesheets were then filed, wherein the Accused herein was named as a suspect, and the remand of the Accused Under Section 309(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short, 'Cr.PC') was renewed and was continued from time to time, and he was never released on default bail.

5. Subsequently, vide I.A No. 37424/2023, the Petitioner sought to incorporate additional grounds and prayers for seeking bail in the writ petition, which was allowed by this Court vide order dated 20.02.2023, and interim bail was granted.

6. It is against this continuation of custody, and the scuttling of relief of default bail, the Petitioner herein has filed the present writ. Every Supplementary chargesheet filed, as per the writ Petitioner herein, is an attempt to ensure that her husband is not released on default bail.

ARGUMENTS ADVANCED BY THE PETITIONER

7. The learned Counsel for the Petitioner contended that:

I. The Respondent has admitted in writing in the supplementary chargesheet that the investigation is still pending, and in light of the same the trial court ought not to have issued process and remanded the Petitioner's husband Under Section 309 Code of Criminal Procedure.

II. The Accused's fundamental rights are in prejudice due to continued custody on grounds of investiga........