Equivalent Citation: AIR2004SC2282, 2004(2)ALD(Cri)95, 2004CriLJ2515, 2004(3)CTC138, (2004)3GLR2174, 2004(5)SCALE330, (2004)5SCC729

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Criminal Appeal Nos. 575-576 of 2004 (Arising out of Special Leave etition (Crl.! Nos. "#4"-"#44 of 2002! $eci%e% &n' 05.05.2004 Appellants' State Rep. by Inspector of Police an Ors. !s. (espon%ent' N.M.T. "oy I##ac$late Hon%ble "$ &es' S. Rajendra Babu) C.*.) AR. Lakshmanan an% G.P. Mathur) **. Co$nsels' +or Appellant, etitioner, laintiff' Altaf Ahmad) A%%itional Solicitor -eneral) Subramonium Prasad) Gopalakrishnan R. an% Abhay Kumar) A%vs +or (espon%ents,$efen%ant' Manivannan Srinivasan) A%vs. S$b(ect' Cri#inal Acts)R$les)Or ers' Criminal roce%ure Co%e (Cr C! - Sections #60) #6#) #67) #7"(2!) #.7) 20.) 22/) 2"#) 2"") "0.) "#") ".7) ".7(#! an% ".7(2!0 1n%ian enal Co%e - Sections "02 an% "6"0 2om3a4 olice Act - Sections #47- an% #6#(#!0 Constitution of 1n%ia - Article 20("!0 5vi%ence Act) #/72 Cases Referre ' S. 6uppus7ami (ao v. 6ing MA"#$%&$'''($()*+0 Salaman v. 8arner (#/.#! # 92 7"40 :a%;u Lima4e v. State of :a;aras;tra MA"#$S,$'('-$()++0 6.6. atel v. State of -u<arat MA"#$S,$'-./$0'''0 Amar Nat; v. State of =ar4ana MA"#$S,$''/.$()++0 >.C. S;u?la v. State MA"#$S,$'0.*$()+)0 :. . S;arma v. Satis; C;an%er MA"#$S,$''(.$()1*0 6uruma v. @;e 9ueen) #.55 AC #.70 ooran :al v. $irector of 1nspection MA"#$S,$''11$()+-0 @;e State of Attar ra%es; v. :o;%. Naim MA"#$S,$''/0$()/-0 A.:. :at;ur v. ramo% 6umar -upta MA"#$S,$'-'1$())'0 6as;i Nat; (o4 v. State of 2i;ar MA"#$S,$'.//$())/ Cases O*err$le ) Re*erse ' N.:.@. *o4 1mmaculate >s. State rep. 34 @;e 1nspector of olice) C;ennai) @;e 1nspector of olice) C;ennai an% @;e 8oman Su3-1nspector of olice) C;ennai 2MA"#$3"$'+(1$0''04 Prior History ) Hi&+ Co$rt Stat$s' +rom t;e *u%gment an% &r%er %ate% ##.4.2002 of t;e :a%ras =ig; Court in Crl. (.C. No. #56. an% Crl. :. . Ni. /264 of 200# (MA"#$3"$'+(1$0''0! Disposition' Appeal allo7e% Citin& Reference' S. 6uppus7ami (ao v. 6ing MA"#$%&$'''($()*+ Salaman v. 8arner :a%;u Lima4e v. State of :a;aras;tra MA"#$S,$'('-$()++ 6.6. atel v. State of -u<arat MA"#$S,$'-./$0''' Amar Nat; v. State of =ar4ana MA"#$P $('1.$0''0
#

.) Balaji Srinivasan) !. Sudeer) M.B.R.S. Raju) S. Sunita an% S.

:entione% :entione% :entione% (elie% on :entione%

>.C. S;u?la v. State MA"#$S,$'1*1$().' :. . S;arma v. Satis; C;an%er MA"#$S,$''(.$()1* 6uruma v. @;e 9ueen ooran :al v. $irector of 1nspection MA"#$S,$''11$()+@;e State of Attar ra%es; v. :o;%. Naim MA"#$S,$''/0$()/A.:. :at;ur v. ramo% 6umar -upta MA"#$S,$'-'1$())' 6as;i Nat; (o4 v. State of 2i;ar MA"#$S,$'.//$())/ Case Note'

:entione% (elie% on (elie% on (elie% on (elie% on (elie% on (elie% on

Cri#inal , Cri#inal proce $re co e , Sections -./0 -.10 231 , In ian Penal Co e0 -4./ , Sections 2/50 2.2 6 Re*ision petition in relation to interloc$tory or er , Maintainality of , M$r er , 7rant of police re#an to acc$se for one ay by Metropolitan Ma&istrate $n er Section -.1 CrPC , S$bse8$ent 7rant of ($ icial c$sto y , C+allen&e by acc$se by filin& cri#inal re*ision $n er Section 231 , Allo9e by Hi&+ Co$rt , !ali ity , Or er of re#an +as no bearin& on t+e procee in&s of t+e trial itself nor it can +a*e any effect on t+e $lti#ate ecision of t+e case 6 If an or er of re#an is fo$n to be ille&al0 it cannot res$lt in ac8$ittal of t+e acc$se or in ter#ination of procee in&s 6 A re#an or er cannot affect t+e pro&ress of t+e trial or its ecision in any #anner , Hence or er 9as a p$re an si#ple interloc$tory or er an in *ie9 of t+e bar create by S$b6section :5; of Section 231 Cr.P.C.0 a re*ision a&ainst t+e sai or er 9as not #aintainable , Hel t+at Hi&+ Co$rt erre in entertainin& t+e re*ision a&ainst t+e or er t+e Metropolitan Ma&istrate &rantin& police c$sto y of t+e acc$se Cri#inal , Cri#inal proce $re co e , Sections -./0 -.10 231 , In ian Penal Co e0 -4./ , Sections 2/50 2.2 , E*i ence Act0 -415 , Confession an reco*ery of incri#inatin& article , A #issibility of , M$r er , 7rant of police re#an to acc$se , S$bse8$ent &rant of ($ icial c$sto y , Re*ision petition t+ere a&ainst , Allo9e by Hi&+ Co$rt +ol in& t+at confession an alle&e reco*ery at instance of acc$se +a no e*i entiary *al$e , !ali ity , Conc$rrin& *ie9s e<presse by ($ &es 6 A #issibility or ot+er9ise of a piece of e*i ence +as to be ($ &e +a*in& re&ar to pro*isions of E*i ence Act , E*i ence act or co e of cri#inal proce $re or for t+at #atter any ot+er la9 in In ia oes not e<cl$ e rele*ant e*i ence on &ro$n t+at it 9as obtaine $n er an ille&al searc+ an sei=$re , Direction &i*en by Hi&+ Co$rt t+at confession an alle&e reco*ery +a no e*i entiary *al$e 9as clearly ille&al an liable to be set asi e Cri#inal , Cri#inal proce $re co e , Sections -./0 -.10 231 , In ian Penal Co e0 -4./ , Sections 2/50 2.2 6 Re*ision petition in relation to interloc$tory or er , Tainte in*esti&ation , 7rant of police re#an to acc$se , S$bse8$ent &rant of ($ icial c$sto y , Re*ision petition t+ere a&ainst , Allo9e by Hi&+ Co$rt +ol in& t+at in*esti&ation con $cte by police 9as not bonafi e an false recor s +a been create to i#plicate acc$se , !ali ity , Since Hi&+ Co$rt 9as +earin& a cri#inal re*ision petition $n er Section 2310 a&ainst an or er passe by a Metropolitan Ma&istrate &rantin& police c$sto y of acc$se , Scope of re*ision 9as a li#ite one t+at bein& 9+et+er or er &rantin& police re#an 9as le&ally correct or not , Hi&+ Co$rt at t+at sta&e co$l not +a*e &one into #erits of prosec$tion case as if +earin& an appeal a&ainst an or er of con*iction or ac8$ittal as trial of acc$se 9as yet to be&in , T+ere 9as absol$tely no occasion for t+e Hi&+ Co$rt to recor any fin in& re&ar in& t+e con $ct of t+e in*esti&ation or t+e recor s on 9+ic+ t+e prosec$tion places reliance0 in a re*ision petition preferre a&ainst an or er &rantin& police re#an an t+at too solely on t+e basis of t+e affi a*its file by t+e ri*al parties 6 I#p$&ne ($ &#ent of Hi&+ Co$rt set asi e "UD7MENT 7.P. Mat+$r0 ". #. Leave grante%. 2. @;ese appeals ;ave 3een preferre% 34 t;e State of @amil Na%u against t;e <u%gment an% or%er %ate% ##.4.2002 of a learne% Single *u%ge of t;e =ig; Court of :a%ras 34 7;ic; t;e criminal revision petition

preferre% 34 t;e respon%ent N.:.@. *o4 1mmaculate 7as allo7e% an% t;e revision 7as %ispose% of 7it; certain %irections. ". A 7ritten +1( 7as lo%ge% at .S. #- uli4ant;ope on ..#0.200# 34 one *affar Sait alleging t;at ;is 3rot;er (iB7an Sait 7as missing since aroun% ..00 a.m. on 7.#0.200# an% on t;e 3asis of same a case 7as registere%. &n #5.#0.200# =aroon Sait (3rot;er of (iB7an Sait! file% a =a3eas Corpus etition in t;e =ig; Court of :a%ras 3eing =.C. . No. #45/ of 200#) 7;erein 3esi%es t;e State an% 1nspector of olice) .S. #uli4ant;ope) (. Sat;is;) :iss *o4 1mmaculate an% :iss Nit;4a 7ere arra4e% as respon%ents No. " to 5 an% a pra4er 7as ma%e t;at a 7rit of ;a3eas corpus 3e issue% %irecting t;e respon%ents to pro%uce ;is 3rot;er (iB7an Sait) 7;o is illegall4 %etaine% 34 respon%ents No. " to 5 an% to set ;im at li3ert4. 1t 7as averre% in t;e 7rit petition t;at (iB7an Sait len%s mone4 on interest to various 3usinessmen inclu%ing t;e s;opping 3usiness compleC of Spencers laBa. C;ennai. (espon%ents No. " to 5 an% t;eir frien%s) namel4) >i<a4 an% (an<it ;a% ta?en mone4 from (iB7an Sait. :iss *o4 1mmaculate ;a% con%ucte% a fas;ion s;o7 at :usic Aca%em4 an% in t;at connection s;e ;a% 3orro7e% more t;an (s. 50)000,- an% ;er sister :iss Nit;4a) 7;o 7as running a 3usiness in t;e name an% st4le of +as;ion 8orl% at Spencers laBa) ;a% also 3orro7e% a sum of (s. 65)000,. *o4 1mmaculate an% ;er sister Nit;4a %i% not repa4 t;e interest an% 7;en (iB7an Sait 7ent to t;e latterDs s;op) (. Sat;is; un%ertoo? to clear off t;eir %ues. At a3out ..00 a.m. on 7.#0.200# (. Sat;is; came to t;e 7rit petitionerDs ;ouse an% t;ereafter ;is 3rot;er (iB7an Sait left along 7it; ;im in a :aruti car. 8;ile leaving) ;e ;a% sai% t;at ;e 7as going to C;ittur (A. .! an% 7oul% return 3ac? in t;e nig;t. =o7ever) as (iB7an Sait %i% not come 3ac? till t;e morning of /.#0.200#) t;e4 starte% loo?ing for ;im an% 7ent to t;e s;op of Nit;4a an% as?e% ;er to give t;e a%%ress of (. Sat;is;) 7;ic; s;e refuse% to %o. =o7ever) in t;e morning of ..#0.200#) (. Sat;is; ;imself came to t;eir ;ouse an% sai% t;at t;eir programme of going to C;ittur 7as cancelle% an% accor%ingl4 (iB7an Sait ;a% returne% 3ac? to ;is ;ouse on t;e morning of 7.#0.200# itself. A p;otocop4 of a c;eEue for a sum of (s. #)50)000,-%ate% 2...200# issue% 34 :iss Nit;4a 7as foun% in t;e cup3oar% of (iB7an Sait. 1n t;e =a3eas Corpus etition =aroon Sait raise% a suspicion t;at respon%ents No. " to 5 ;ave %one some foul pla4 7it; ;is 3rot;er 7;o ;a% a%vance% mone4 to t;em. 4. An uni%entifie% %ea% 3o%4 7as foun% at 6anagavallipuram an% on t;e report of >illage A%ministrative &fficer a case 7as registere% 7it; t;e concerne% police station. After autops4 in t;e -overnment =ospital) @iruvellore) t;e %ea% 3o%4 7as 3urie%. &ne $eva F $ev (a< 7as arreste% 34 1nspector of #- uli4ant;ope olice Station. =e confesse% to t;e police a3out t;e commission of crime an% s;o7e% t;e place 7;ere (iB7an Sail 7as mur%ere%. 1t 7as t;ereafter ascertaine% t;at t;e uni%entifie% %ea% 3o%4 foun% on #0.#0.200# at @iruvellore @alu?a 7as t;at of (iB7an Sait. @;ereafter) t;e case registere% on ..#0.200# at .S. #uli4ant;ope 7as altere% to Section -/-) -'0 1 C. $ev (a< 7as reman%e% to <u%icial custo%4 on 2".#0.200#. *o4 1mmaculate surren%ere% in t;e Court of *u%icial :agistrate) Alan%;ur) C;ennai on 24.#0.200# an% 7as reman%e% to <u%icial custo%4 an% (. Sat;is; surren%ere% 3efore GG111 :etropolitan :agistrate) Sai%pet) C;ennai on 25.#0.200#. @;e 1nvestigating &fficer ma%e an application 3efore t;e concerne% :agistrate on "#.#0.200# for giving Sat;is; on police reman%. @;is application 7as allo7e% an% t;e learne% :etropolitan :agistrate vi%e ;is or%er %ate% #.##.200# grante% police reman% of accuse% Sat;is; for " %a4s i.e. from #.##.200# to ".##.200#. 1t is allege% t;at ;e ma%e some sort of a confession to t;e police an% on t;e 3asis of t;e statement ma%e 34 ;im) some incriminating articles 7ere recovere%. @;ereafter) t;e 1nvestigating &fficer move% an application 3efore t;e concerne% :agistrate for grant of police reman% of *o4 1mmaculate) 7;ic; 7as oppose% 34 ;er. @;e learne% >t; :etropolitan :agistrate) 5gmore) C;ennai passe% a %etaile% or%er on 6.##.200#) 7;ereun%er s;e 7as given in police custo%4 for one %a4 an% 7as to 3e pro%uce% in court 34 4.00 p.m. on 7.##.200#. 1t 7as %irecte% t;at s;e 7oul% 3e %etaine% in All 8omen olice Station an% 7oul% 3e interrogate% at t;e office of t;e Asst. Commissioner of olice) in t;e presence of t;e 7omen 1nspector of olice. 1t 7as furt;er %irecte% t;at %uring t;e perio% of police custo%4) t;e accuse% s;oul% not 3e ;arasse% p;4sicall4 or ps4c;ologicall4 an% s;oul% 3e pro%uce% 3efore t;e Court) in me same con%ition. 5. Accor%ing to t;e prosecution) *o4 1mmaculate ma%e some confessional statements 3efore t;e 1nvestigating &fficer an% on ;er pointing out t;e 7rist 7atc; an% s;irt of t;e %ecease% an% also t;e n4lon rope use% in t;e commission of mur%er 7ere recovere%. @;ereafter) on 7.##.200# s;e 7as pro%uce% 3efore t;e >t; :etropolitan :agistrate 7;o reman%e% ;er to <u%icial custo%4. @7o 7ee?s t;ereafter) *o4 1mmaculate file% a criminal revision petition un%er Section -)+ Cr. .C. 3eing Crl. (.C. No. #56. of 200#) 7;erein it 7as pra4e% t;at t;e or%er %ate% 6.##.200# passe% 34 >t; :etropolitan :agistrate granting police custo%4 3e set asi%e as t;e same is against t;e principles lai% %o7n in Section (/+ Cr. .C an% t;at t;e Court ma4 pass suc; ot;er an% furt;er or%ers as it ma4 %eem fit an% proper. 1n t;e revision petition) accuse% *o4 1mmaculate file% an affi%avit ma?ing serious allegations against t;e police personnel to t;e effect t;at s;e 7as interrogate% an%
"

%etaine% at t;e police station on #/t; an% t;en from 20t; to 24t; &cto3er) 200# an% also referre% to certain telegrams 7;ic; 7ere sent to t;e C;ief *ustice of t;e =ig; Court in t;is connection. Affi%avits in repl4 7ere file% 34 t;e concerne% police personnel. @;e =ig; Court 34 t;e impugne% or%er) 7;ic; is t;e su3<ect matter of c;allenge in t;e present appeals %ispose% of t;e revision petition 34 issuing several %irections an% %irections No. (a!) (3!) (c!) (%!) (g! an% (;! are 3eing repro%uce% 3elo7' (a! @;e or%er granting police custo%4 in respect of t;e petitioner passe% 34 t;e learne% :agistrate is eC facie illegal. ConseEuentl4) it is ;el% t;at t;e sai% or%er is non-est an% ;as to 3e erase% from t;e recor%s. (3! 1n vie7 of t;e fact t;at t;e or%er granting custo%4 ;as 3ecome non-est) t;e conseEuent so-calle% confession an% allege% recover4 ;as no evi%entiar4 value. (c! @;e investigation con%ucte% 34 # an% 4 olice 7it; reference to t;e petitioner is not 3ona fi%e an% false recor%s ;ave 3een create% to implicate t;e petitioner) t;ere34 cause% serious in<ustice to t;e petitioner. (%! @;e petitioner ;a% 3een 7rongfull4 an% illegall4 %etaine% in ;arasse% an% torture% 34 t;e olice personnel. 4 olice Station for four %a4s an% s;e 7as

(g! @;e Commissioner of olice is also %irecte% to ta?e imme%iate %epartmental action against t;e # 1nspector of olice) 4 1nspector of olice an% ot;er olice ersonnel 7;o 7ere responsi3le for t;e illegal %etention an% ot;er o3scene acts committe% on t;e petitioner at 4 olice Station. (;! @;e =ome Secretar4 to t;e -overnment of @amil Na%u is %irecte% to pa4 a compensation of (s. #)00)000,- to t;e petitioner) t;e victim for ;er illegal %etention in t;e 4 olice Station 34 t;e police personnel 7;o committe% t;e acts of molestation) o3scene violation an% teasing on t;e petitioner) 7it;in one mont; from t;e %ate of receipt of t;is or%er. @;e pra4er ma%e 34 t;e accuse% for transfer of investigation to C.2.C.1.$. or C.2.1. 7as %ecline% an% t;e Commissioner of olice 7as %irecte% to constitute a special team of investigating agenc4 ;ea%e% 34 an Assistant Commissioner of olice to continue t;e investigation of t;e case. A %irection 7as also issue% to t;e State -overnment to issue circulars to all t;e police stations t;at 7oman accuse%,7itness s;oul% not 3e 3roug;t to t;e police station an% t;e4 must 3e inEuire% onl4 34 t;e 7oman police at t;e place 7;ere t;e4 resi%e. 6. 8e ;ave ;ear% S;ri Altaf A;ma%) A%%itional Solicitor -eneral appearing for t;e Appellant State of @amil Na%u an% also learne% counsel appearing for respon%ent (accuse% *o4 1mmaculate! an% ;ave eCamine% t;e recor%. 1n our opinion) t;e =ig; Court seems to ;ave 3een carrie% a7a4 34 sentiments an% ;as %ispla4e% a complete ignorance of t;e relevant provisions of la7) especiall4 t;at of Co%e of Criminal roce%ure an% t;e 5vi%ence Act. 7. @;e learne% >t; :etropolitan :agistrate 34 ;is or%er %ate% 6.##.200# ;a% grante% police reman% for one %a4 of t;e accuse% *o4 1mmaculate in eCercise of po7ers conferre% 34 Section (/+ Cr. .C. S;e 7as given in police custo%4 on t;e same %a4 an% 7as pro%uce% 3efore t;e learne% :etropolitan :agistrate on 7.##.200# an% t;ereafter s;e 7as sent to <u%icial custo%4. @;e or%er ;a% eC;auste% itself as t;e police custo%4 7as actuall4 given. =o7ever) t;e accuse% c;allenge% t;e aforesai% or%er 34 filing a criminal revision petition un%er Section -)+ Cr. .C. after t7o 7ee?s on 2#.##.200#. /. @;e first Euestion 7;ic; nee%s eCamination is 7;et;er t;e revision petition 7as maintaina3le. Su3-section (2! of Section -)+) Cr. .C. la4s %o7n t;at t;e po7er of revision conferre% 34 Su3-section (#! s;all not 3e eCercise% in relation to an4 interlocutor4 or%er passe% in an4 appeal) enEuir4) trial or ot;er procee%ings. @;e eCpression Hinterlocutor4 or%erH ;as not 3een %efine% in t;e Co%e. 1t 7ill) t;erefore) 3e useful to refer to its meaning as given in some of t;e %ictionaries' @;e Ne7 LeCicon 8e3sterDs $ictionar4 ronounce% an% arising %uring legal proce%ure) not final
4

8e3sterDs @;ir% Ne7 1nternational $ictionar4

Not final or %efinitive0 ma%e or %one %uring t;e progress of an action

8;artonDs La7 LeCicon - An interlocutor4 or%er or <u%gment is one ma%e or given %uring t;e progress of action) 3ut 7;ic; %oes not finall4 %ispose of t;e rig;ts of t;e parties e.g.) an or%er appointing a receiver or granting an in<unction) an% a motion for suc; an or%er is terme% an interlocutor4 motion 2lac?Ds La7 $ictionar4 rovisional0 temporar40 not final. Somet;ing intervening 3et7een t;e commencement an% t;e en% of a suit 7;ic; %eci%es some point or matter) 3ut is not a final %ecision of t;e 7;ole controvers4. .. &r%inaril4 an% generall4) t;e eCpression Dinterlocutor4 or%erD ;as 3een un%erstoo% an% ta?en to mean as a converse of t;e term Dfinal or%erD. 1n volume 26 of =als3ur4Ds La7s of 5nglan% (+ourt; 5%ition! it ;as 3een state% as un%er in para 504' H......a <u%gment or or%er ma4 3e final for one purpose an% interlocutor4 for anot;er) or final as to part an% interlocutor4 as to part. 1t is impossi3le to la4 %o7n principles a3out 7;at is final an% 7;at is interlocutor4. 1t is 3etter to loo? at t;e nature of t;e application an% not at t;e nature of t;e or%er eventuall4 ma%e. 1n general) or%ers in t;e nature of summar4 <u%gment 7;ere t;ere ;as 3een no trial of t;e issues are interlocutor4.H 1n para 505 it is sai% t;at in general a <u%gment or or%er 7;ic; %etermines t;e principal matter in Euestion is terme% HfinalH. 1n para 506 it is state% as un%er' HAn or%er 7;ic; %ocs not %eal 7it; t;e final rig;ts of t;e parties) 3ut eit;er (#! is ma%e 3efore <u%gment an% gives no final %ecision on t;e matters in %ispute) 3ut is merel4 on a matter of proce%ure) or (2! is ma%e after <u%gment) an% merel4 %irects ;o7 t;e %eclarations of rig;t alrea%4 given in t;e final <u%gment are to 3e 7or?e% out is terme% Hinterlocutor4H. An interlocutor4 or%er) even t;oug; not conclusive of t;e main %ispute) ma4 3e conclusive as to t;e su3or%inate matter 7it; 7;ic; it %eals.H #0. 1n S. >$pp$s9a#i Rao v. King MA"#$%&$'''($()*+) t;e follo7ing principle lai% %o7n in Sala#an v. ?arner (#/.#! # 92 7"4 7as Euote% 7it; approval' H1f t;eir %ecision) 7;ic;ever 7a4 it is given) 7ill) if it stan%s) finall4 %ispose of t;e matter in %ispute) 1 t;in? t;at for t;e purposes of t;ese rules it is final. &n t;e ot;er ;an%) if t;eir %ecision) if given in one 7a4) 7ill finall4 %ispose of t;e matter in %ispute) 3ut) if given in t;e ot;er) 7ill allo7 t;e action to go on) t;en 1 t;in? it is not final) 3ut interlocutor4.H @;e test lai% %o7n t;erein 7as t;at if t;e o3<ection of t;e accuse% succee%e%) t;e procee%ing coul% ;ave en%e% 3ut not vice versa) @;e or%er can 3e sai% to 3e a final or%er onl4 if) in eit;er event) t;e action 7ill 3e %etermine%. ##. =o7ever) in Ma +$ @i#aye v. State of Maharashtra 5 MA"#$S,$'('-$()++ ' #.7/CriL*#65 ) suc; an interpretation an% t;e universal application of t;e principle t;at 7;at is not a final or%er must 3e an interlocutor4 or%er 7as not accepte% as t;is 7ill ren%er t;e revisional po7er conferre% 34 Section -)+2(4 nugator4. After ta?ing into consi%eration t;e sc;eme of t;e Co%e of Criminal roce%ure an% t;e o3<ect of conferring a po7er of revision on t;e Court of Sessions an% t;e =ig; Court) it 7as o3serve% as follo7s'

H1n suc; a situation) it appears to us t;at t;e real intention of t;e Legislature 7as not to eEuate t;e eCpression Hinterlocutor4 or%erH as invaria3l4 3e converse of t;e 7or%s Dfinal or%erD. @;ere ma4 3e an or%er passe% %uring t;e course of a procee%ing 7;ic; ma4 not 3e final in t;e sense notice% in 6uppus7amiDs case A1( #.4. +C # (supra! 3ut) 4et it ma4 not 3e an interlocutor4 or%er - pure or simple. Some ?in%s of or%er ma4 fall in 3et7een t;e t7o. 24 a rule of ;armonious construction) 7e t;in? t;at t;e 3ar in Su3-section (2! of Section -)+ is not meant to 3e attracte% to suc; ?in%s of interme%iate or%er.H #2. Same Euestion ;as recentl4 3een consi%ere% in >.>. Patel v. State of Gujarat MA"#$S,$'-./$0''' ' 2000CriL*45.2 . 1n t;is case a criminal complaint 7as file% against t;e Superinten%ent of olice an% $eput4 Superinten%ent of olice alleging commission of several offences un%er t;e 1n%ian enal Co%e an% also un%er Section #47- of t;e 2om3a4 olice Act. @;e :etropolitan :agistrate too? cogniBance of t;e offence an% issue% process to t;e accuse%) 7;o on appearance file% a petition for %isc;arge on t;e groun% t;at no sanction as contemplate% 34 Section ()+ Cr. .C. ;a% 3een o3taine%. @;e :etropolitan :agistrate %ismisse% t;e petition against 7;ic; a revision 7as file% 3efore t;e Sessions *u%ge) 7;o allo7e% t;e same on t;e o3<ection raise% 34 t;e accuse% 3ase% upon Section ()+ Cr. .C. an% also Section (/(2(4 2om3a4 olice Act) 7;ic; creates a 3ar of limitation of one 4ear. @;e revision preferre% 34 t;e complainant against t;e or%er of %isc;arge 7as allo7e% 34 t;e =ig; Court on t;e groun% t;at t;e or%er passe% 34 t;e :etropolitan :agistrate re<ecting t;e pra4er of t;e accuse% to %isc;arge t;em 7as an interlocutor4 or%er. 1n t;e appeal preferre% 34 t;e accuse%) t;is Court after referring to A#ar Nat+ v. State of Haryana MA"#$S,$''/.$()++ ' #.77CriL*#/.# ) Ma +$ @i#aye v. State of Maharashtra MA"#$S,$'('-$()++ ' #.7/CriL*#65 an% !.C. S+$Ala v. State MA"#$S,$'0.*$()+) ' #./0CriL*6.0 ;el% t;at in %eci%ing 7;et;er an or%er c;allenge% is an interlocutor4 or not) as for Section -)+204 of t;e Co%e) t;e sole test is not 7;et;er suc; or%er 7as passe% %uring t;e interim stage. @;e feasi3le test is 7;et;er 34 up;ol%ing t;e o3<ections raise% 34 a part4) it 7oul% result in culminating t;e procee%ings. 1f so) an4 or%er passe% on suc; o3<ections 7oul% not 3e merel4 interlocutor4 in nature as envisage% in Section -)+204 of t;e Co%e. 1t 7as furt;er ;el% t;at as in t;e facts of t;e case) if t;e o3<ections raise% 34 accuse% 7ere up;el%) t;e entire prosecution procee%ings 7oul% ;ave 3een terminate%) t;e or%er 7as not an interlocutor4 or%er an% conseEuentl4 it 7as revisa3le. #". Section (/+ Cr. .C. empo7ers a *u%icial :agistrate to aut;orise t;e %etention of an accuse% in t;e custo%4 of police. Section 0') Cr. .C. confers po7er upon a :agistrate to reman% an accuse% to custo%4 until t;e case ;as 3een committe% to t;e Court of Sessions an% also until t;e conclusion of t;e trial. Section -') Cr. .C. confers po7er upon a Court to reman% all accuse% to custo%4 after ta?ing cogniBance of an offence or %uring commencement of trial 7;en it fin%s it necessar4 to a%<ourn t;e enEuir4 or trial. @;e or%er of reman% ;as no 3earing on t;e procee%ings of t;e trial itself nor it can ;ave an4 effect on t;e ultimate %ecision of t;e case. 1f an or%er of reman% is foun% to 3e illegal) it cannot result in acEuittal of t;e accuse% or in termination of procee%ings. A reman% or%er cannot affect t;e progress of t;e trial or its %ecision in an4 manner. @;erefore) appl4ing t;e test lai% %o7n in :a%;u Lima4eDs case (supra!) it cannot 3e categorise% even as an Hinterme%iate or%erH. @;e or%er is) t;erefore) a pure an% simple interlocutor4 or%er an% in vie7 of t;e 3ar create% 34 Su3-section (2! of Section -)+ Cr. .C.) a revision against t;e sai% or%er is not maintaina3le. @;e =ig; Court) t;erefore) erre% in entertaining t;e revision against t;e or%er %ate% 6.##.200# of t;e :etropolitan :agistrate granting police custo%4 of t;e accuse% *o4 1mmaculate for one %a4. #4. @;e =ig; Court after ;ol%ing t;at t;e or%er granting police custo%4 is eC-facie illegal ;as furt;er ;el% t;at t;e so-calle% confession an% allege% recover4 ;as no evi%entiar4 value. 1t ;as also 3een ;el% t;at t;e investigation con%ucte% 34 -# an% -4 olice 7it; reference to t;e accuse% is not 3ona fi%e an% false recor%s ;ave 3een create% to implicate t;e accuse%. @;e Euestion t;en arises 7;et;er t;e =ig; Court 7as rig;t in ma?ing t;e aforesai% o3servations) even if it is assume% t;at t;e or%er %ate% 6.##.200# granting police custo%4 7as illegal (t;oug; 7e ;ave ;el% a3ove t;at t;e aforesai% or%er 3eing a purel4 interlocutor4 or%er) no revision la4 against t;e same an% t;e =ig; Court committe% manifest error of la7 in entertaining t;e revision an% setting asi%e t;e sai% or%er!. @;e a%missi3ilit4 or ot;er7ise of a piece of evi%ence ;as to 3e <u%ge% ;aving regar% to t;e provisions of t;e 5vi%ence Act. @;e 5vi%ence Act or t;e Co%e of Criminal roce%ure or for t;at matter an4 ot;er la7 in 1n%ia %oes not eCclu%e relevant evi%ence on t;e groun% t;at it 7as o3taine% un%er an illegal searc; an% seiBure. C;allenge to a searc; an% seiBure ma%e un%er t;e Criminal roce%ure Co%e on t;e groun% of violation of fun%amental rig;ts un%er Article 0'2-4 of t;e Constitution 7as eCamine% in M.P. S+ar#a v. Satish Chander MA"#$S,$''(.$()1* ' #.7/(2!5L@2/7(SC! 34 a 2enc; of / *u%ges of t;is Court. @;e c;allenge 7as repelle% an% it 7as ;el% as un%er'
6

HA po7er of searc; an% seiBure is in an4 s4stem of <urispru%ence an over-ri%ing po7er of t;e State for t;e protection of social securit4 an% t;at po7er is necessaril4 regulate% 34 la7. 8;en t;e Constitution ma?ers ;ave t;oug;t fit not to su3<ect suc; regulation to constitutional limitations 34 recognition of a fun%amental rig;t to privac4) analogous to t;e American +ourt; Amen%ment) 7e ;ave no <ustification to import it) into a totall4 %ifferent fun%amental rig;t) 34 some process of straine% construction. Nor is it legitimate to assume t;at t;e constitutional protection un%er Article 0'2-4 7oul% 3e %efeate% 34 t;e statutor4 provisions for searc;es.H #5. @;e la7 of evi%ence in our countr4 is mo%ele% on t;e rules of evi%ence 7;ic; prevaile% in 5nglis; La7. 1n >$r$#a v. T+e B$een #.55 AC #.7 an accuse% 7as foun% in unla7ful possession of some ammunition in a searc; con%ucte% 34 t7o police officers 7;o 7ere not aut;orise% un%er t;e la7 to carr4 out t;e searc;. @;e Euestion 7as 7;et;er t;e evi%ence 7it; regar% to t;e unla7ful possession of ammunition coul% 3e eCclu%e% on t;e groun% t;at t;e evi%ence ;a% 3een o3taine% on an unla7ful searc;. @;e riv4 Council state% t;e principle as un%er ' H@;e test to 3e applie%) 3ot; in civil an% in criminal cases) in consi%ering 7;et;er evi%ence is a%missi3le is 7;et;er it is relevant to t;e matters in issue. 1f it is) it is a%missi3le an% t;e Court is not concerne% 7it; ;o7 it 7as o3taine%H. @;is Euestion ;as 3een eCamine% t;rea%3are 34 a Constitution 2enc; in Pooran Mal v. Director of Inspection MA"#$S,$''11$()+- ' I#.74J."1@(505(SC! an% t;e principle enunciate% t;erein is as un%er' H1f t;e 5vi%ence Act #/72 permits relevanc4 as t;e onl4 test of a%missi3ilit4 of evi%ence) an%) secon%l4) t;at Act or an4 ot;er similar la7 in force %oes not eCclu%e relevant evi%ence on t;e groun% t;at it 7as o3taine% un%er an illegal searc; or seiBure) it 7ill 3e 7rong to invo?e t;e suppose% spirit of our Constitution for eCclu%ing suc; evi%ence. Nor is it open to us to strain t;e language of t;e Constitution) 3ecause some American *u%ges of t;e American Supreme Court ;ave spelt out certain constitutional protections from t;e provisions of t;e American Constitution. So) neit;er 34 invo?ing t;e spirit of our Constitution nor 34 a straine% construction of an4 of t;e fun%amental rig;ts cane 7e spell out t;e eCclusion of evi%ence o3taine% on an illegal searc;. So far as 1n%ia is concerne% its la7 of evi%ence is mo%ele% on t;e rules of evi%ence 7;ic; prevaile% in 5nglis; La7) an% Courts in 1n%ia an% in 5nglan% ;ave consistentl4 refuse% to eCclu%e relevant evi%ence merel4 on t;e groun% t;at it is o3taine% 34 illegal searc; or seiBure. 8;ere t;e test of a%missi3ilit4 of evi%ence lies in relevanc4) unless t;ere is an eCpress or necessaril4 implie% pro;i3ition in t;e Constitution or ot;er la7 evi%ence o3taine% as a result of illegal searc; or seiBure is not lia3le to 3e s;ut out.H @;is 3eing t;e la7) t;e %irection (3! given 34 t;e =ig; Court t;at t;e confession an% allege% recover4 ;as no evi%entiar4 value is clearl4 illegal an% ;as to 3e set asi%e. @;e effect of t;e confession an% also t;e recover4 of t;e incriminating article at t;e pointing out of t;e accuse% ;as to 3e eCamine% strictl4 in accor%ance 7it; t;e provisions of t;e 5vi%ence Act. #6. @;e =ig; Court ;as also recor%e% a fin%ing t;at t;e investigation con%ucte% 34 -# an% -4 olice 7it; regar% to accuse% *o4 1mmaculate is not 3ona fi%e an% false recor%s ;ave 3een create% to implicate ;er causing ;er serious in<ustice an% furt;er t;at s;e 7as %etaine% in t;e police station for four %a4s an% 7as ;arasse% an% torture% 34 t;e police personnel. 1t is nee%less to mention t;at t;e =ig; Court 7as ;earing a criminal revision petition file% un%er Section -)+ Cr. .C. against an or%er passe% 34 a :etropolitan :agistrate granting police custo%4 of t;e accuse%. @;e scope of t;e revision) even if it is assume% to 3e maintaina3le) 7as a limite% one) viB.) 7;et;er t;e or%er granting police reman% 7as legall4 correct or not ;aving regar% to t;e material place% 3efore t;e learne% :agistrate. @;e =ig; Court at t;at stage coul% not ;ave gone into t;e merits of t;e prosecution case as if ;earing an appeal against an or%er of conviction or acEuittal as t;e trial of t;e accuse% is 4et to 3egin. @;e onl4 material availa3le 3efore t;e =ig; Court 7as t;e affi%avit file% 34 t;e accuse%) copies of telegrams an% t;e repl4 affi%avits file% 34 t;e concerne% police officials. @;e affi%avit of t;e accuse% ;as 3een accepte% as a gospel trut; an% ver4 %isparaging an% strong remar?s ;ave 3een ma%e against t;e investigating officers an% t;e investigation %one 34 t;em. @;oug; 7e %o not 7ant to eCpress an4 opinion) one 7a4 or t;e ot;er) 3ut at t;e same time one s;oul% not lose sig;t of t;e fact t;at a person 7;o ;as 3een accuse% 34 t;e prosecution for ;aving entere% into a conspirac4 to commit mur%er) can go to an4 eCtent in ma?ing 7il% allegations against t;e concerne% police aut;orities. @;e =ig;
7

Court lost sig;t of t;e fact t;at muc; 3efore t;e accuse% *o4 1mmaculate claims to ;ave 3een interrogate% in t;e police station (20t; &cto3er) 200# an% su3seEuentl4! an% t;e police came into picture) t;e 3rot;er of t;e %ecease% ;a% file% a =a3eas Corpus etition in t;e =ig; Court on #5.#0.200#) 7;erein s;e an% ;er sister :iss Nit;4a ;a% 3een arra4e% as respon%ents an% serious allegations ;a% 3een ma%e against t;em an% in para #2 it 7as specificall4 allege% t;at t;ese t7o sisters along 7it; Sat;is; ;a% illegall4 %etaine% (iB7an Sait (%ecease%!. @;e allege% ill treatment mete% out to ;er su3seEuentl4 34 t;e police cannot ;ave t;e effect of 7iping out t;e crime committe% earlier viB. entering into a conspirac4 an% t;ereafter mur%er of (iB7an Sait on .t; &cto3er. @;e =ig; Court seems to ;ave 3een ver4 muc; s7a4e% 34 t;e fart t;at s;e 7as a stu%ent an% 7as stu%4ing in :.A. an% li?e all normal stu%ents must 3e totall4 %evote% to stu%ies. 2ut t;e statements of 7itnesses un%er Section (/( Cr. .C. s;o7 t;at t;e mot;er an% sister Nit;4a of accuse% *o4 1mmaculate 7ere also carr4ing on 3usiness) t;at 3ot; t;e sisters 3orro7e% mone4 from (iB7an Sait an% t;at t;e interest amount ;a% not 3een timel4 pai% %ue to 7;ic; some altercation too? place on 4t; &cto3er 7;en (iB7an Sait use% some filt;4 language against ;er t;at if 34 a particular %ate t;e amount 7as not pai% s;e s;oul% come an% sleep 7it; ;im. =o7ever) t;ese are all factual aspects of t;e case 7;ic; ;ave to 3e eCamine% 34 t;e trial court at t;e appropriate stage after parties ;ave a%%uce% evi%ence. #7. C;apter G>111 of t;e Co%e of Criminal roce%ure contains %etaile% an% eC;austive provisions for t;e trial of an accuse% 3efore t;e Court of Sessions. 1t provi%es for framing of c;arge (Section 00.!) ta?ing of evi%ence as ma4 3e pro%uce% in support of t;e prosecution (Section 0-(! an% an opportunit4 to t;e accuse% to enter upon ;is %efence an% to a%%uce evi%ence in support t;ereof (Section 0--!. Section -(- Cr. .C. en<oins t;at circumstances appearing in evi%ence against t;e accuse% 3e put to ;im to ena3le ;im to eCplain t;e same. @;e accuse% *o4 1mmaculate 7oul% get full an% complete opportunit4 to %efen% ;erself in t;e trial. 1t is for t;e trial Court to 7eig; t;e evi%ence a%%uce% 34 t;e prosecution an% t;en recor% a fin%ing on its 3asis 7;et;er t;e investigation ;as 3een fair or not or 7;et;er an4 recor%s ;ave 3een fa3ricate%. 1f an4 part4 feels aggrieve% 34 t;e fin%ings recor%e% an% ultimate or%er passe% 34 t;e learne% Sessions *u%ge %eci%ing t;e case it 7ill ;ave a rig;t of appeal 3efore t;e =ig; Court. @;ere is a3solutel4 no occasion for t;e =ig; Court to recor% an4 fin%ing regar%ing t;e con%uct of t;e investigation or t;e recor%s on 7;ic; t;e prosecution places reliance) in a revision petition preferre% against an or%er granting police reman% an% t;at too solel4 on t;e 3asis of t;e affi%avits file% 34 t;e rival parties. @;e =ig; Court ;as virtuall4 scuttle% t;e trial even 3efore it ;as commence% an% t;at too 34 a process 7;oll4 un?no7n to la7. #/. @;e =ig; Court ;as also a7ar%e% (s. # la?; as compensation to t;e accuse% on t;e groun% t;at s;e 7as illegall4 %etaine% in t;e police station an% t;e police personnel committe% acts of molestation) o3scene violation etc. 1t is note7ort;4 t;at after investigation) police ;as su3mitte% c;arge s;eet against accuse% *o4 1mmaculate. =er application for 3ail 7as re<ecte% 34 t;e learne% Sessions *u%ge an% t;ereafter 34 t;e =ig; Court on #/.#.2002 prior to t;e %ecision of t;e revision. @;ere is a3solutel4 no <ustification for a7ar%ing compensation to a person 7;o is facing prosecution for a serious offence li?e mur%er even 3efore t;e trial ;as commence%. @;is %irection) t;erefore) %eserves to 3e set asi%e. #.. 1n vie7 of t;e %iscussion ma%e) t;e appeals are allo7e% an% t;e impugne% <u%gment an% or%er of t;e =ig; Court %ate% ##.4.2002 is set asi%e. 1f t;e amount of compensation of (s. # la?; ;as alrea%4 3een pai% to t;e accuse% *o4 1mmaculate) s;e is %irecte% to refun% t;e same 7it;in t7o mont;s) failing 7;ic; it ma4 3e recovere% from ;er as arrears of lan% revenue. 20. 1t is ma%e clear t;at an4 o3servation ma%e in t;is or%er is onl4 for t;e limite% purpose of %eci%ing t;e present appeals an% s;all not 3e construe% as an eCpression of opinion on t;e merits of t;e case. @;e learne% Sessions *u%ge tr4ing t;e case s;all %eci%e t;e same strictl4 on t;e 3asis of t;e evi%ence a%%uce% 34 t;e parties an% in accor%ance 7it; la7 7it;out 3eing influence% in an4 manner 7it; an4 o3servation ma%e in t;is or%er or in t;at of t;e =ig; Court. "UD7MENT AR. @aAs+#anan0 ". 2#. 1 ;ave ;a% t;e privilege of perusing t;e <u%gment propose% 34 m4 learne% 3rot;er =onD3le :r. *ustice -. . :at;ur. 1 respectfull4 agree 7it; t;e opinion eCpresse% 34 ;im. =o7ever) 1 7oul% li?e to a%% t;e follo7ing fe7 lines.
/

22. Section (/' of t;e Co%e of Criminal roce%ure %eals 7it; police officerDs po7er to reEuire atten%ance of 7itnesses. @;is Section aims at securing t;e atten%ance of persons 7;o 7oul% suppl4 t;e necessar4 information in respect of t;e commission of an offence an% 7oul% 3e eCamine% as 7itnesses in t;e inEuir4 or trial t;erefore. @;is Section applies onl4 to t;e cases of persons 7;o appear to 3e acEuainte% 7it; t;e circumstances of t;e case) i.e. t;e 7itnesses or possi3le 7itnesses onl4. An or%er un%er t;is Section cannot 3e ma%e reEuiring t;e atten%ance of an accuse% person 7it; a vie7 to ;is ans7ering t;e c;arge ma%e against ;im. @;e intention of t;e legislature seems to ;ave 3een onl4 to provi%e a facilit4 for o3taining evi%ence an% not for procuring t;e atten%ance of t;e accuse%) 7;o ma4 3e arreste% at an4 time) if necessar4. 1n ot;er 7or%s) t;is Section ;as reference to t;e persons to 3e eCamine% as 7itnesses in t;e trial or inEuir4 to 3e ;el% after t;e completion of t;e investigation. As an accuse% cannot 3e eCamine% as a 7itness eit;er for or against ;imself) ;e cannot 3e inclu%e% in t;e class of persons referre% to in t;e Section. 2ut t;e police officers are full4 aut;orise% to reEuire t;e personal atten%ance of t;e suspects %uring t;e investigation. 2". 1n t;e instant case) t;e =ig; Court) 34 an impugne% or%er ;as given a %irection to t;e State -overnment to issue circulars to all t;e police stations instructing t;e police officials t;at t;e 7oman accuse%,7itness s;oul% not 3e summone% or reEuire% to atten% at an4 police station un%er Section (/' Cr. .C. 3ut t;e4 must 3e enEuire% onl4 34 7omen police or in t;e presence of a 7omen police) at t;e places 7;ere t;e4 resi%e. @;e =ig; Court ;as issue% a furt;er %irection to t;e -overnment to ensure t;at t;is instruction is strictl4 follo7e% 34 t;e police in future. 24. 1n our opinion) t;e =ig; Court ;as committe% a serious error in giving suc; a %irection contrar4 to t;e statutor4 provisions un%er Section (/' of t;e Cr. .C. 7;ic; is applica3le onl4 to t;e 7itnesses an% not t;e accuse%. @;e =ig; Court ;as also committe% a grave error in giving a fin%ing as to t;e confession an% recover4 of a n4lon rope allege% to ;ave 3een use% in t;e commission of mur%er) t;ere34 stifling,foreclosing t;e investigation into an offence of mur%er even 3efore a final report in t;e case as contemplate% un%er Section (+-204 of t;e Cr. .C. is file%. 25. @;e =ig; Court) in t;e present case) 7;ile %ealing 7it; t;e revision ;as not onl4 set asi%e t;e or%er granting police custo%4) 3ut ;as ;el% t;at t;e conseEuent confession an% t;e allege% recover4 ;ave no evi%entiar4 value in t;e case. 1n ot;er 7or%s) 7;at ;as got to 3e %eci%e% in a full-fle%ge% trial) t;e =ig; Court merel4 on t;e plea%ings of t;e parties ;as given a fin%ing t;at t;e or%er granting police custo%4 an% t;e conseEuent confession an% t;e allege% recover4 ;a% no evi%entiar4 value 7;atsoever in t;e case. @;e learne% single *u%ge ;as also given a fin%ing t;at recor%s 7ere create% to implicate t;e respon%ent-*o4 1mmaculate in t;e case. Nee%less to state t;at an4 furt;er investigation in t;e case permitte% 34 t;e learne% *u%ge 7oul% 3e an eCercise in futilit4 in t;e conteCt of suc; fin%ing 7;ic; coul% 3e given onl4 %uring t;e course of a full-fle%ge% trial. @;e =ig; Court) 7;ile %isposing of t;e criminal revision) ;as given several fin%ings,%irections in para 40 of t;e <u%gment,or%er. 1n our opinion) t;e learne% *u%ge ;as misera3l4 erre% in allo7ing t;e criminal revision petition against t;e or%er of t;e lo7er Court in criminal :. . No. 5#7#,200#) as t;e or%er passe% 34 t;e lo7er Court 7as acte% upon) i.e.) one %a4 police custo%4 7as grante%) t;e accuse% 7as ta?en into custo%4 an% surren%ere% 3ac?) an% t;us t;e petition to set asi%e t;at or%er ;as 3ecome infructuous. +urt;er) t;e learne% *u%ge ;as erre% in %irecting t;e State -overnment to issue a circular to all t;e police stations instructing t;e police officials t;at t;e 7oman accuse%,7itness s;oul% not 3e 3roug;t to t;e police station an% t;at t;e4 must 3e enEuire% onl4 34 7omen police or in t;e presence of 7omen police at t;e places 7;ere t;e4 resi%e. @;e learne% *u%ge ;as faile% to note t;at t;e aforementione% fin%ings is contrar4 to t;e statutor4 provisions containe% in Section (/' of t;e Cr. .C. 1n fact) t;e learne% *u%ge ;as erre% in eCpan%ing t;e scope of Section (/' Cr. .C. to t;e accuse% as 7ell) 7;ic; mig;t lea% to ;ar%s;ip to an investigating agenc4. 1f t;e %irections of t;e learne% single *u%ge is accepte%) no purposeful investigation into an4 serious offence involving 7omen accuse% coul% 3e con%ucte% successfull4. 26. A3ove all) t;e learne% *u%ge ;as committe% a grave error in a7ar%ing a compensation of (s. # la?; on t;e groun% t;at t;e police personnel committe% acts of o3scene violation) teasing t;e respon%ent ;erein. @;e learne% *u%ge ;as relie% upon onl4 on t;e 3asis of t;e affi%avit file% in t;e case for coming to t;e conclusion an% also on t;e 3asis of t;e assumption t;at t;e respon%ent 7as not involve% in t;e inci%ent 7;ic; 7ill foreclose t;e furt;er enEuir4 or%ere% 34 t;e learne% *u%ge in t;e matter. @;ere is no <ustification for a7ar%ing compensation to a person 7;o is facing prosecution for a serious offence li?e mur%er even 3efore t;e trial ;as starte%.

27. @;e learne% *u%ge ;as also %irecte% to ta?e imme%iate %epartmental action against -# 1nspector of olice an% -4 1nspector of olice an% ot;er olice ersonnel 7;o 7ere responsi3le for t;e %etention an% ot;er allege% acts committe% on t;e respon%ent at -4 police station. @;is %irection) in our opinion) is not 7arrante% in vie7 of t;e fact of our allo7ing t;e criminal appeal an% setting asi%e t;e <u%gment of t;e learne% single *u%ge. @;e sai% %irection issue% 34 t;e learne% *u%ge is set asi%e. 2/. 8e) t;erefore) set asi%e t;e or%er in t;e criminal revision to prevent a3use of process of court or ot;er7ise to secure t;e en%s of <ustice. 1t is a principle of car%inal importance in t;e a%ministration of <ustice t;at t;e proper free%om an% in%epen%ence of *u%ges an% :agistrates must 3e maintaine% an% t;e4 must 3e allo7e% to perform t;eir functions freel4 an% fearlessl4 an% 7it;out un%ue interference 34 an43o%4. At t;e same time) it is eEuall4 necessar4 t;at in eCpressing t;eir opinions) *u%ges an% :agistrates must 3e gui%e% 34 consi%erations of <ustice fair pla4 an% restraint. 1t is not infreEuent t;at s7eeping generaliBation %efeat t;e ver4 purpose for 7;ic; t;e4 are ma%e. 1t ;as 3een recognise% t;at <u%icial pronouncements must 3e <u%icial in nature) an% s;oul% not normall4 %epart from so3riet4) mo%eration an% reserve) as o3serve% 34 t;is Court in T+e State of Uttar Pra es+ v. Mohd. Naim MA"#$S,$''/0$()/- ' I#.64J2SC("6" . 1t is also ver4 apt to Euote para #" of t;e <u%gment in A.M. Mat+$r vs. Pra#o >$#ar 7$pta MA"#$S,$'-'1$())' ' I#..0J2SC(##0 7;ic; rea%s t;us' H*u%icial restraint an% %iscipline are as necessar4 to t;e or%erl4 a%ministration of <ustice as t;e4 are to t;e effectiveness of t;e arm4. @;e %ut4 of restraint) t;is ;umilit4 of function s;oul% 3e a constant t;eme of our *u%ges. @;is Eualit4 in %ecision ma?ing is as muc; necessar4 for *u%ges to comman% respect as to protect t;e in%epen%ence of t;e <u%iciar4. *u%icial restraint in t;is regar% mig;t 3etter 3e calle% <u%icial respect0 t;at is) respect 34 t;e <u%iciar4. (espect to t;ose 7;o come 3efore t;e Court as 7ell to ot;er coor%inate 3ranc;es of t;e State) t;e 5Cecutive an% Legislature. @;ere must 3e mutual respect. 8;en t;ese Eualities fail or 7;en litigants an% pu3lic 3elieve t;at t;e <u%ge ;as faile% in t;ese Eualities) it 7ill 3e neit;er goo% for t;e <u%ge nor for t;e <u%icial process.H 2.. @;is Court) in a num3er of ot;er %ecisions) ;as also o3serve% t;at t;e Courts s;oul% not ma?e un<ustifia3le o3servations an% %irections 3e4on% t;e scope an% am3it of t;e lis pen%ing 3efore it an% t;at suc; a %irection an% o3servation issue% 7ill onl4 ;amper t;e free-flo7 of <ustice an% cause lot of inconvenience to t;e litigants 7;o come 3efore t;e Court for re%ressal of t;eir genuine grievances. "0. 1t is also apt to Euote ;erein3elo7 t;e o3servations ma%e 34 t;is Court in >as+i Nat+ Roy v. State of Bihar MA"#$S,$'.//$())/ ' #..6CriL*246. 7;erein t;is Court ;el% t;at granting of 3ail on t;e groun% of an infirmit4 in evi%ence in t;e criminal trial 7as not a glaring mista?e or impropriet4 so as to attract a%verse remar?s an% suggestion for initiation of action against t;e *u%ge-Su3or%inate from t;e =ig; Court *u%ge. 8;ile stating t;e proper course to 3e a%opte% in suc; a case) t;is Court ;el% as follo7s' H@;e courts eCercising 3ail <uris%iction normall4 %o an% s;oul% refrain from in%ulging in ela3orate reasoning in t;eir or%ers in <ustification of grant or non-grant of 3ail. +or) in t;at manner) t;e principle of Hpresumption of innocence of an accuse%H gets <eopar%iBe%0 an% t;e structural principle of Hnot guilt4 till prove% guilt4H gets %estro4e%) even t;oug; all sane elements ;ave al7a4s un%erstoo% t;at suc; vie7s are tentative an% not final) so as to affect t;e merit of t;e matter. =ere) t;e appellant ;as 3een caug;t an% eCpose% to a certain a%verse comment an% action solel4 3ecause in reasoning ;e ;a% %isclose% ;is min% 7;ile granting 3ail. @;is ma4 ;ave 3een avoi%a3le on ;is part) 3ut in terms not suc; a glaring mista?e or impropriet4 so as to visit t;e remar?s t;at t;e =ig; Court ;as c;osen to pass on ;im as 7ell as to initiate action against ;im) as propose%. 8;enever an4 suc; intolera3le error is %etecte% 34 or pointe% out to a superior court) it is functionall4 reEuire% to correct t;at error an% ma4) ;ere an% t;ere) in an appropriate case) an% in a manner 3efitting) maintaining t;e %ignit4 of t;e court an% in%epen%ence of <u%iciar4) conve4 its message in its <u%gment to t;e officer concerne% t;roug; a process of reasoning) essentiall4 persuasive) reasona3le) mello7 3ut clear) an% resultorienting) 3ut rarel4 as a re3u?e. @;e premise t;at a *u%ge committe% a mista?e or an error 3e4on% t;e limits of tolerance) is no groun% to inflict con%emnation on t;e *u%ge-Su3or%inate) unless t;ere eCiste% somet;ing else an% for eCceptional groun%s.H "#. 1 respectfull4 agree 7it; all ot;er %irections an% t;e o3servations ma%e 34 3rot;er -. . :at;ur) *. in allo7ing t;e criminal appeal an% setting asi%e t;e impugne% <u%gment of t;e =ig; Court %ate% ##.04.2002.
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