07 October 1996
Supreme Court
Download

ANUKUL CHANDRA PRADHAN Vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Bench: J.S. VERMA,B.N. KIRPAL
Case number: Writ Petition(Criminal) 137 of 1996


1

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 1 of 3  

PETITIONER: ANUKUL CHANDRA PRADHAN

       Vs.

RESPONDENT: UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

DATE OF JUDGMENT:       07/10/1996

BENCH: J.S. VERMA, B.N. KIRPAL

ACT:

HEADNOTE:

JUDGMENT:                          O R D E R      The nature  of this  proceeding is  similar to  that of W.P. (Crl.)  Nos.340-343 of  1993 Vineet  Narain &  Ors. Vs. Union of  India &  Ors. It  was made clear at the outset and reiterated from  time to  time in  this  proceeding  to  the Revenue  Secretary,   Director  of   C.B.I.  and  the  other Government officials  that the  orders  made  in  W.P.(Crl.) Nos.340-343 of 1993 regarding the mode of functioning of all the officials  equally apply  in the present case also. This is how,  we  have  been  assured  by  the  learned  Attorney General, is  the mode of functioning of all the officials in the present  case also.  It is  needless to  say  that  this manner of functioning by them has to continue.      For ready  reference, an extract from one such order of particular significance  is quoted  herein for emphasis. The order is  dated 30-01-1996,  reported in,  1996 (23 SCC 199, wherein it was said:      "3. The  facts and circumstances of      the present  case do  indicate that      it is  of utmost public importance.      that  this   matter   is   examined      thoroughly by  this Court to ensure      that   all   government   agencies,      entrusted   with    the   duty   to      discharge   their   functions   and      obligations in accordance with law,      do so,  bearing in  mind constantly      the concept  of equality  enshrined      in the  Constitution and  the basic      tenet of  rule of law: "Be you ever      so   high,   the   law   is   above      you"Investigation    into     every      accusation made  against  each  and      every person on a reasonable basis,      irrespective  of   theposition  and      status  of  that  person,  must  be      conducted       and       completed      expeditiously. This  is  imperative      to retain  public confidence in the      impartial working of the government

2

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 2 of 3  

    agencies.      4 In  this proceeding  we  are  not      concerned with  the merits  of  the      accusations  or   the   individuals      alleged  tobe  involved,  but  only      with the  performance of  the legal      duty by  the government agencies to      fairly,    properly    and    fully      investigate   into    every    such      accusation  against  every  person,      and  to   take  the  logical  final      action in accordance with law.       5. In case of persons against whom      a prima  facie case is made out and      a  charge-sheet  is  filed  in  the      competent court,  it is  that court      which will then deal with that case      on merits, in accordance with law.              (Paras 3,4,5)      In accordance with the directions so given, it has  been reported to us that chargesheets have been filed by  the C.B.I. in two cases and the Delhi Police in one case  which they were investigating These cases are :      1) St. Kitts’ Forgery Case.      (Chargesheet filed by C.B.I )      2) Lakhubhai Pathak Cheating Case.     (Chargesheet filed by C.B.I..)      3)    Rajendra    Jain        case.      (Chargesheet filed by Delhi Police      In view  of the  fact that  chargesheet has  been filed under Section  173 Criminal  Procedure Code  in each  of the above three  cases in  the competent court, it is that court which is  now to deal with the case on merits, in accordance with law  Any direction  considered  necessary  for  further investigation, if  any, or  to  proceed  against  any  other person who  also appears  to have  committed any  offence in that transaction,  is within  the domain  of  the  concerned court according  to the  procedure prescribed  by  law.  The purpose of  this proceeding is to command performance of the duty under  law to  properly investigate into the accusation of commission  of the crime and to file a chargesheet in the competent court,  if a  prima facie  case is  made out. This purpose has been served in the above three cases, in respect of which no further action in this proceeding is called for.      Accordingly, this  proceeding has come to an end, in so far as it relates to the above three criminal cases. For the remaining part,  it is  to  continue  till  the  end  result prescribed by  law is achieved. The concerned court in which the chargesheet  has been  filed has  to proceed entirely in accordance with  law without  the slightest  impression that there is  any parallel  proceeding in  respect of  the  same matter pending in this court.      We may  also observe,  that the concerned court dealing with the  above matters  has to  bear in  mind  that  utmost expedition  in   the  trial  and  its  early  conclusion  is necessary for  the ends  of justice  and credibility  of the judicial process Unless prevented by any dilatory tactics of the accused,  all trials  of this  kind involving public men should be  concluded most  expeditiously, preferably  within three months  of commencement  of the trial This is also the requirement of speedy trial read into Article 21.      A note  of caution  may  be  appropriate.  No  occasion should arise  for an impression that the publicity attaching to these  matters has  tended to  dilute the emphasis on the essentials of  a fair  trial and  the  basic  principles  of

3

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 3 of 3  

jurisprudence including  the presumption of innocence of the accused unless  found guilty  at the  end of  the trial This requirement, undoubtedly  has to  be kept in view during the entire trial.  It. is  reiterated, that any observation made by this  Court for  the purpose  of the  proceedings pending here has  no bearing on the merits of the accusation, and is not to  influence the trial in any manner Care must be taken to ensure  that the  credibility of the judicial process not undermined in any manner.      This proceeding  is  to  continue  in  respect  of  the remaining matters only which are incomplete.      A copy of this order be sent to the concerned court in each of the above three cases.