REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1572 2008
(Arising out of S.L.P. (Crimina! No."#$% of $%%&!
BABLOO PASI APPELLANT
VERSUS
STATE OF JHARKHAND & ANR. RESPONDENTS
J U D G M E N T
D.K. JAIN, J.:
L'a(' grant').
2. T*is a++'a, -. s+'/ia 'a(', is )ir'/t') against
t*' 0u)gm'nt an) or)'r )at') $"
st
D'/'m-'r, $%%#
r'n)'r') -. t*' Hig* Court of J*ar1*an) at Ran/*i in
Crimina R'(ision No. 23# of $%%#. 4. t*' im+ugn')
or)'r, t*' Hig* Court *as ao5') t*' r'(ision +'tition
+r'f'rr') -. t*' a//us') un)'r S'/tion 63 of t*'
Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n! A/t,
1
$%%% (for s*ort 7t*' A/t8! against t*' or)'r +ass') -.
t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar), Dum1a (*'r'inaft'r r'f'rr')
to as 7t*' 4oar)8!. T*' 'arn') Sing' Ju)g' *as *')
t*at on t*' )at' of /ommission of t*' a'g') off'n/'s,
t*' a//us') 5as a 90u('ni': 5it*in t*' m'aning of t*'
A/t.
3. Ra0's* Ma*at*a, t*' a//us') an) r's+on)'nt No.$ in
t*is a++'a, 5as a++r'*'n)') for *a(ing /ommitt')
off'n/'s un)'r S'/tions 3%;4 an) 3%# of t*' In)ian
P'na Co)', "2#% (for s*ort 7I.P.C.8!, in r'ation to
t*' )'at* of *is 5if', on t*' -asis of t*' stat'm'nt
ma)' to t*' +oi/' -. t*' -rot*'r of t*' )'/'as'), t*'
a++'ant *'r'in. It a++'ars t*at 5*'n t*' a//us') 5as
+ro)u/') -'for' t*' C*i'f Ju)i/ia Magistrat', D'og*ar,
*' /aim') *ims'f to -' a 90u('ni': as *a(ing not
attain') t*' ag' of 'ig*t''n .'ars an), t*'r'for',
'ntit') to t*' +rot'/tion an) +ri(i'g's un)'r t*'
A/t. A//or)ing., *' 5as s'nt to t*' C*i)
R'*a-iitation C'ntr', Dum1a. Sin/' t*' /aim of t*'
a//us') 5as )is+ut') on -'*af of t*' +ros'/ution, on
2
t*
F'-ruar., $%%#, t*' C*i'f Ju)i/ia Magistrat'
)ir'/t') t*' a//us') to +ro)u/' '(i)'n/'</'rtifi/at' in
su++ort of *is /aim, 5*i/* *' fai') to )o. It s''ms
2
t*at 5it*out r'/or)ing an. o+inion 5*'t*'r t*' a//us')
5as a Ju('ni' or not, t*' Magistrat' r'f'rr') *im to
t*' 4oar). Sin/' t*' a//us') fai') to +ro)u/' an.
'(i)'n/' r'gar)ing *is ag', t*' 4oar) r'f'rr') *im to a
M')i/a 4oar) for '=amination an) )'t'rmination of *is
ag'. Ta1ing into /onsi)'ration, t*' )o/um'ntar.
'(i)'n/' a))u/') -. t*' +ros'/ution an) o-s'r(ing *is
+*.si/a -uit u+, t*' 4oar) /on/u)') t*at t*' a//us')
5as a-o(' 'ig*t''n .'ars of ag' on t*' )at' of
o//urr'n/'> 5as not a 0u('ni' an), t*'r'for', 5as not
r'?uir') to -' )'at 5it* un)'r t*' A/t. A//or)ing.,
t*' C*i) R'*a-iitation C'ntr', Dum1a 5as )ir'/t') to
transf'r t*' a//us') to t*' r'guar 0ai 5it* a
)ir'/tion to its Su+'rint'n)'nt to +ro)u/' t*' a//us')
-'for' t*' Court of C*i'f Ju)i/ia Magistrat'. T*'
or)'r +ass') -. t*' 4oar) 5as /*a'ng') -. t*' a//us')
in t*' Hig* Court. T*' Hig* Court 5as of t*' (i'5 t*at
t*' 4oar) *a) ignor') t*' o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar)
o-tain') in t'rms of Ru' $$(6!(i(! of t*' J*ar1*an)
Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n!
Ru's, $%%3 (for s*ort 7t*' Ru's8!, 5*'r'in t*' ag' of
t*' a//us') 5as s*o5n as "&@"2 .'ars. T*us, '='r/ising
its r'(isiona 0uris)i/tion, t*' Hig* Court ao5') t*'
r'(ision +'tition> ?uas*') t*' or)'r of t*' 4oar) an)
3
*') t*at at t*' r''(ant tim' t*' a//us') 5as a
0u('ni'. T*' -rot*'r of t*' (i/tim *as +r'f'rr') t*is
a++'a -. s+'/ia 'a('.
4. A' *a(' *'ar) 'arn') /ouns' for t*' +arti's.
5. L'arn') /ouns' a++'aring for t*' a++'ant
su-mitt') t*at t*' or)'r of t*' Hig* Court *a(ing -''n
+ass') 5it*out noti/' to t*' a++'ant, 5*o 5as
a)mitt'). a +art. in t*' r'(ision +'tition, is
(ioati(' of t*' +rin/i+'s of natura 0usti/' as aso
t*' statutor. +ro(isions, is i'ga an) )'s'r('s to -'
s't asi)' on t*is s*ort groun) aon'. In su++ort of
t*' +ro+osition t*at an a)('rs' or)'r /annot -' +ass')
5it*out *'aring t*' +art. /on/'rn'), r'ian/' 5as
+a/') on a )'/ision of t*is Court in P. Sundarrajan &
Ors. Vs. R. Vidhya Sekar
1
. On m'rits, it 5as /ont'n)')
t*at t*' Hig* Court *as fai') to /onsi)'r in its
/orr'/t +'rs+'/ti(' t*' s/o+' of Ru' $$ (6!.
A//or)ing to t*' 'arn') /ouns', t*' m')i/a o+inion
o-tain') un)'r t*' sai) ru' is on. a gui)ing fa/tor
an) not t*' so' /rit'rion for )'t'rmination of ag'
an), t*'r'for', -'for' r'turning an. fin)ing on t*' ag'
of t*' a//us'), t*' Hig* Court /ou) not ignor' ot*'r
1
(2004) 13 SCC 472
4
r''(ant fa/tors an) t*' '(i)'n/' on r'/or). It 5as
aso +'a)') t*at t*' s/o+' of t*' r'(isiona
0uris)i/tion -'ing imit'), 5it*out +ointing out an.
mat'ria irr'guarit. /ommitt') -. t*' 4oar), t*' Hig*
/ourt 'rr') in int'rf'ring 5it* a 5' r'ason') or)'r
+ass') -. t*' 4oar), mor' so 5*'n t*' a//us') /*os' not
to a(ai of r'm'). a(aia-' to *im -. 5a. of an a++'a
un)'r S'/tion 6$ of t*' A/t, 5*'r'un)'r t*'
0uris)i/tion of t*' Hig* Court is mu/* 5i)'r. In
su++ort of t*' /ont'ntion t*at t*' +o5'rs of t*'
r'(isiona /ourt ar' imit') an) s*ou) -' '='r/is')
s+aring. an) /autious., r'ian/' 5as +a/') on t*'
)'/isions of t*is /ourt in Krishnan & Anr. Vs.
Krishnaveni & Anr.
2
, State of aharashtra & Anr. Vs.
!a"#ohan Sin"h Ku$di% Sin"h Anand & Ors.
&
. R'f'r'n/'
5as aso ma)' to State of A.P. Vs. . Poshetty
'
,
5*'r'in t*is Court *a) a)('rs'. /omm'nt') on Hig*
Court8s int'rf'r'n/' 5it* t*' /on/urr'nt fin)ings of
fa/t, 'nt'r') -. t*' tria /ourt, in '='r/is' of
r'(isiona +o5'rs, 5it*out r'/or)ing an. r'asons. It
5as, t*us, argu') t*at t*' Hig* Court '=/'')') its
+o5'rs of r'(isionar. 0uris)i/tion.
2
(1997) 4 SCC 241
3
(2004) 7 SCC !9
4
(2001) 10 SCC 29
5
6.L'arn') /ouns' a++'aring on -'*af of t*' a//us')
5*i' str'nuous. su++orting t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*'
Hig* Court su-mitt') t*at sin/' t*' 'ntir' r''(ant
mat'ria 5as a(aia-' on r'/or), t*'r' 5as no
n'/'ssit. for t*' Hig* Court to issu' noti/' to t*'
a++'ant</om+ainant.
7. Ha(ing -'sto5') our an=ious /onsi)'ration to t*'
mat'ria on r'/or), in our 0u)gm'nt, t*' or)'r of t*'
Hig* Court as aso -. t*' 4oar) ar' unsustaina-' in
a5 as 5' as on fa/ts.
8. S'/tion 6$ of t*' A/t +ro(i)'s t*at an. +'rson
aggri'(') -. an or)'r ma)' -. a /om+'t'nt aut*orit.
un)'r t*' A/t ma. +r'f'r an a++'a to t*' Court of
S'ssions. S'/tion 63 of t*' A/t /onf'rs on t*' Hig*
Court t*' r'(isiona 0uris)i/tion to satisf. its'f as
to t*' 'gait. or +ro+ri't. of an. or)'r +ass') -. t*'
/om+'t'nt aut*orit. or Court of S'ssions. T*' S'/tion
r'a)s as un)'rB
953.Rev!"#.$ T*' Hig* Court ma., at an.
tim', 'it*'r of its o5n motion or on an
a++i/ation r'/'i(') in t*is -'*af, /a for
t*' r'/or) of an. +ro/'')ing in 5*i/* an.
/om+'t'nt aut*orit. or Court of S'ssion *as
+ass') an or)'r for t*' +ur+os' of satisf.ing
its'f as to t*' 'gait. or +ro+ri't. of an.
6
su/* or)'r an) ma. +ass su/* or)'r in r'ation
t*'r'to as it t*in1s fitB
Pro(i)') t*at t*' Hig* Court s*a not +ass an
or)'r un)'r t*is s'/tion +r'0u)i/ia to an.
+'rson 5it*out gi(ing *im a r'asona-'
o++ortunit. of -'ing *'ar).:
9. From a -ar' r'a)ing of +ro(iso to t*' S'/tion, it
is +ain t*at in '='r/is' of its r'(isiona
0uris)i/tion t*' Hig* Court /annot +ass an or)'r,
+r'0u)i/ia to an. +'rson 5it*out affor)ing *im a
r'asona-' o++ortunit. of -'ing *'ar). At t*is
0un/tur', it 5ou) -' +rofita-' to not' t*at S'/tion
6; of t*' A/t aso +r's/ri-'s t*' +ro/')ur' to -'
foo5') 5*i' )'aing 5it* in?uiri's, a++'as an)
r'(isions un)'r t*' A/t. Su-@s'/tion ($! t*'r'of
sti+uat's t*at sa(' as ot*'r5is' '=+r'ss. +ro(i)')
un)'r t*' A/t, t*' +ro/')ur' to -' foo5') in *'aring
r'(isions un)'r t*' A/t, s*a -' as far as +ra/ti/a-'
in a//or)an/' 5it* t*' +ro(isions of t*' Co)' of
Crimina Pro/')ur', "C&3 (for s*ort 7t*' Co)'8!. Su-@
s'/tion ($! of S'/tion ;%" of t*' Co)' /ont'm+at's
t*at no or)'r un)'r t*' sai) S'/tion s*a -' ma)' to
t*' +r'0u)i/' of t*' a//us') or "%&e' (e'!"# un'ss *'
*as *a) an o++ortunit. of -'ing *'ar) 'it*'r +'rsona.
or -. +'a)'r in *is o5n )'f'n/'.
7
10.Furt*'rmor', -. no5 it is 5' s'tt') t*at sa(' in
/'rtain '=/'+tiona situations, t*' +rin/i+' of "#$%
"&'()"* +")'(* man)at's t*at no on' s*a -' /on)'mn')
un*'ar). It is a +art of ru's of natura 0usti/' an)
t*' sou of natura 0usti/' is Dfair +a. in a/tion8,
5*i/* )'man)s t*at -'for' an. +r'0u)i/ia or a)('rs'
or)'r is +ass') or a/tion is ta1'n against a +'rson, *'
must -' gi('n an o++ortunit. to -' *'ar).
11.T*' ?u'stion for /onsi)'ration is t*at 5*'n t*'
statutor. +ro(isions man)at' an) +rin/i+'s of natura
0usti/' )'man) a +r'@)'/isiona *'aring, 5*'t*'r or not
t*' Hig* Court 5as 0ustifi') in not granting an
o++ortunit. of *'aring to t*' a++'ant</om+ainantE
In our o+inion, *a(ing r'gar) to t*' natur' of
/ontro('rs. -'for' t*' Hig* Court an) t*' s/*'m' of t*'
r''(ant statutor. +ro(isions 5*'r'un)'r t*' Hig* Court
5as '='r/ising its 0uris)i/tion, t*' Dfairn'ss in
a/tion8 )i) )'man) t*at t*' Com+ainant 5as gi('n an
o++ortunit. of *'aring in t*' R'(ision +'tition
+r'f'rr') -. t*' a//us'). Mor'o('r, *' 5as im+'a)')
as a +art. r's+on)'nt an) 5as o-(ious. +r'0u)i/') -.
t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' Hig* Court 5*'n t*' a//us') 5as
)'/ar') to -' a 0u('ni'. A' *a(', t*'r'for', no
8
*'sitation in *o)ing t*at t*' Hig* Court 5as /'ar.
in 'rror in r'('rsing t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' 4oar)
5it*out gi(ing an o++ortunit. of *'aring to t*'
a++'ant. A//or)ing., 5' u+*o) t*' /ont'ntion of
'arn') /ouns' for t*' a++'ant t*at t*' or)'r of t*'
Hig* Court )'s'r('s to -' s't asi)' on t*is s*ort
?u'stion aon'.
12.A' ma. no5 ta1' u+ t*' +i(ota +oint, (iF., 5*'t*'r
or not t*' 4oar) *a) a++i') t*' /orr'/t +aram't'rs for
)'t'rmining t*' ag' of t*' a//us'), 5*o is /aiming to
-' a 0u('ni' on t*' )at' of o//urr'n/'. D't'rmination
of ag' of a )'in?u'nt, +arti/uar. in -or)'rin'
/as's, is rat*'r a /om+'= '='r/is'. T*' A/t as su/*
)o's not a. )o5n an. fi=') norms, 5*i/* /ou) -'
a++i') for )'t'rmining t*' ag' of a +'rson. Su-@
S'/tion ("! of t*' A/t +ro(i)'s for +r'sum+tion an)
)'t'rmination of ag' an) r'a)s t*usB
9'(. Presu#%tion and deter#ination of a"e.@("!
A*'r' it a++'ars to a /om+'t'nt aut*orit. t*at
+'rson -roug*t -'for' it un)'r an. of t*'
+ro(isions of t*is A/t (ot*'r5is' t*an for t*'
+ur+os' of gi(ing '(i)'n/'! is a 0u('ni' or
t*' /*i), t*' /om+'t'nt aut*orit. s*a ma1'
)u' in?uir. so as to t*' ag' of t*at +'rson
an) for t*at +ur+os' s*a ta1' su/* '(i)'n/'
as ma. -' n'/'ssar. (-ut not an affi)a(it! an)
s*a r'/or) a fin)ing 5*'t*'r t*' +'rson is a
9
0u('ni' or t*' /*i) or not, stating *is ag'
as n'ar. as ma. -'.
($! === === ===:
13.From a -ar' r'a)ing of t*' +ro(ision, it is /'ar
t*at it m'r'. +ro(i)'s t*at 5*'n it a++'ars to t*'
/om+'t'nt aut*orit. (iF., t*' 4oar), t*at t*' +'rson
-roug*t -'for' it is a 0u('ni', T*' 4oar) is o-ig')
to ma1' an 'n?uir. as to t*' ag' of t*at +'rson> for
t*at +ur+os' it s*a ta1' '(i)'n/' as ma. -' n'/'ssar.
an) t*'n r'/or) a fin)ing 5*'t*'r t*' +'rson in
?u'stion is a 0u('ni' or not. E=+aining t*' s/o+'
an) +ur+os' of S'/tion 3$ of t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' A/t,
"C2# 5*i/* is amost +")% *"'()%" 5it* S'/tion ;C of
t*' A/t in )ho$a )ha"at Gs. State of )ihar
*
, t*is Court
*a) o-s'r(') as un)'rB@
9H..5*'n a +'a is rais') on -'*af of an
a//us') t*at *' 5as a 9/*i): 5it*in t*'
m'aning of t*' )'finition of t*' '=+r'ssion
un)'r t*' A/t, it -'/om's o-igator. for t*'
/ourt, in /as' it 'nt'rtains an. )ou-t a-out
t*' ag' as /aim') -. t*' a//us'), to *o) an
in?uir. its'f for )'t'rmination of t*'
?u'stion of ag' of t*' a//us') or /aus' an
'n?uir. to -' *') an) s''1 a r'+ort r'gar)ing
t*' sam', if n'/'ssar., -. as1ing t*' +arti's
to 'a) '(i)'n/' in t*at r'gar). I''+ing in
(i'5 t*' -'n'fi/ia natur' of t*' so/ia.@
ori'nt') 'gisation, it is an o-igation of
t*' /ourt 5*'r' su/* a +'a is rais') to
5
(1997) , SCC 720
1
'=amin' t*at +'a 5it* /ar' an) it /annot fo)
its *an)s an) 5it*out r'turning a +ositi('
fin)ing r'gar)ing t*at +'a, )'n. t*' -'n'fit
of t*' +ro(isions to an a//us'). T*' /ourt
*#s' *o) an 'n?uir. an) r'turn a fin)ing
r'gar)ing t*' ag', on' 5a. or t*' ot*'r.:
14. N'('rt*''ss, in !itendra Ra# a$ias !itu Gs. State
of !harkhand
+
- t*' Court soun)') a not' of /aution t*at
t*' afor'stat') o-s'r(ations in )ho$a )ha"at (s#+)")
5ou) not m'an t*at a +'rson 5*o is not 'ntit') to t*'
-'n'fit of t*' sai) A/t 5ou) -' )'at 5it* 'ni'nt.
on. -'/aus' su/* a +'a is rais'). Ea/* +'a must -'
0u)g') on its o5n m'rit an) 'a/* /as' *as to -'
/onsi)'r') on t*' -asis of t*' mat'rias -roug*t on
r'/or).
15.At t*is 0un/tur', it is r''(ant to not' t*at in
'='r/is' of +o5'r /onf'rr') -. S'/tion #2 of t*' A/t,
t*' Stat' Jo('rnm'nt of J*ar1*an) *as fram') t*'
J*ar1*an) Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of
C*i)r'n! Ru's, $%%3. Ru' $$ t*'r'of a.s )o5n t*'
+ro/')ur' to -' foo5') -. a 4oar) in *o)ing
'n?uiri's an) t*' )'t'rmination of ag'. Su-@Ru' (6!
of t*' sai) Ru' 5*i/* is mat'ria for t*' +r's'nt /as'
r'a)s t*usB@
6
(200) 9 SCC 42,
1
922. Pro,edure to -e fo$$o.ed -y a )oard in
ho$din" in/uiries and the deter#ination of
a"e.0 ("! HHH
(6! In '('r. /as' /on/'rning a 0u('ni' or a
/*i), t*' 4oar) s*a 'it*'r o-tain.@
(i! a -irt* /'rtifi/at' gi('n -. a
/or+oration or a muni/i+a aut*orit.> or
(ii! a )at' of -irt* /'rtifi/at' from t*'
s/*oo first att'n)')> or
(iii!matri/uation or '?ui(a'nt /'rtifi/at's,
if a(aia-'> an)
(i(! in t*' a-s'n/' of (i! to (iii! a-o(', t*'
m')i/a o+inion -. a )u. /onstitut')
M')i/a 4oar), su-0'/t to a margin of on'
.'ar, in )'s'r(ing /as's for t*' r'asons
to -' r'/or)') -. su/* M')i/a 4oar),
(r'gar)ing *is ag' an), 5*'n +assing
or)'rs in su/* /as' s*a, aft'r ta1ing
into /onsi)'ration su/* '(i)'n/' as ma.
-' a(aia-' or t*' m')i/a o+inion, as
t*' /as' ma. -' r'/or) a fin)ing in
r's+'/t of *is ag'!.:
16.T*us, as +'r Ru' $$, in t*' a-s'n/' of -irt* or
matri/uation /'rtifi/at's, in or)'r to r'/or) a
fin)ing in r's+'/t of ag' of a +'rson, t*' 4oar) is
r'?uir') to o-tain t*' o+inion of a )u. /onstitut')
M')i/a 4oar). It is /'ar from a -ar' r'a)ing of t*'
Ru' t*at at*oug* t*' 4oar) is -oun) to o-tain t*'
o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar) -ut t*' o+inion +() s( is
not a /on/usi(' +roof of ag' of t*' +'rson /on/'rn').
1
It is no mor' t*an an o+inion. Mor' so, 5*'n '('n t*'
M')i/o@L'ga o+inion is t*at o5ing to t*' (ariation in
/imati/, )i'ti/, *'r')itar. an) ot*'r fa/tors,
aff'/ting t*' +'o+' of )iff'r'nt Stat's in t*'
/ountr., it 5ou) -' im+ru)'nt to formuat' a uniform
stan)ar) for t*' )'t'rmination of t*' ag'. Tru', t*at
a M')i/a 4oar)8s o+inion -as') on t*' ra)ioogi/a
'=amination is a us'fu gui)ing fa/tor for )'t'rmining
t*' ag' of a +'rson -ut is not in/ontro('rti-'.
Comm'nting on t*' '(i)'ntiar. (au' of t*' o+inion of a
)o/tor, -as') on =@ra. t'sts, as to t*' ag' of a
+'rson, in Ra#deo 1hauhan a$ias Raj 2ath Gs. State of
Assa#
3
4 R.P. S't*i, J., s+'a1ing for t*' ma0orit. in a
t*r''@Ju)g' 4'n/*, *a) o-s'r(') t*atB@
9H.An K@ra. ossifi/ation t'st ma. +ro(i)' a
sur'r -asis for )'t'rmining t*' ag' of an
in)i(i)ua t*an t*' o+inion of a m')i/a
'=+'rt -ut it /an -. no m'ans -' so infai-'
an) a//urat' a t'st as to in)i/at' t*' '=a/t
)at' of -irt* of t*' +'rson /on/'rn'). Too
mu/* of r'ian/' /annot -' +a/') u+on
t'=t-oo1s, on m')i/a 0uris+ru)'n/' an)
to=i/oog. 5*i' )'t'rmining t*' ag' of an
a//us'). In t*is (ast /ountr. 5it* (ari')
atitu)'s, *'ig*ts, 'n(ironm'nt, ('g'tation
an) nutrition, t*' *'ig*t an) 5'ig*t /annot -'
'=+'/t') to -' uniform.:
7
(2001) ! SCC 714
1
17.It is 5' s'tt') t*at it is n'it*'r f'asi-' nor
)'sira-' to a. )o5n an a-stra/t formua to )'t'rmin'
t*' ag' of a +'rson. T*' )at' of -irt* is to -'
)'t'rmin') on t*' -asis of mat'ria on r'/or) an) on
a++r'/iation of '(i)'n/' a))u/') -. t*' +arti's.
T*' M')i/a '(i)'n/' as to t*' ag' of a +'rson, t*oug*
a ('r. us'fu gui)ing fa/tor, is not /on/usi(' an) *as
to -' /onsi)'r') aong 5it* ot*'r /og'nt '(i)'n/'.
18.It is tru' t*at in Arnit 5as Gs. State of )ihar
6
4
t*is Court *as, on a r'(i'5 of 0u)i/ia o+inion,
o-s'r(') t*at 5*i' )'aing 5it* a ?u'stion of
)'t'rmination of ag' of an a//us'), for t*' +ur+os' of
fin)ing out 5*'t*'r *' is a 0u('ni' or not, a *.+'r@
t'/*ni/a a++roa/* s*ou) not -' a)o+t') 5*i'
a++r'/iating t*' '(i)'n/' a))u/') on -'*af of t*'
a//us') in su++ort of t*' +'a t*at *' 5as a 0u('ni'
an) if t5o (i'5s ma. -' +ossi-' on t*' sam' '(i)'n/',
t*' Court s*ou) 'an in fa(our of *o)ing t*' a//us')
to -' a 0u('ni' in -or)'rin' /as's. A' ar' aso not
o-i(ious of t*' fa/t t*at -'ing a 5'far' 'gisation,
t*' Courts s*ou) -' F'aous to s'' t*at a 0u('ni'
)'ri('s fu -'n'fits of t*' +ro(isions of t*' A/t -ut
8
(2000) ! SCC 4,,
1
at t*' sam' tim' it is aso im+'rati(' for t*' /ourts
to 'nsur' t*at t*' +rot'/tion an) +ri(i'g's un)'r t*'
A/t ar' not misus') -. uns/ru+uous +'rsons to 's/a+'
+unis*m'nts for *a(ing /ommitt') s'rious off'n/'s.
1).4'aring in min) t*'s' -roa) +rin/i+'s, 5' ma. no5
a)('rt to t*' fa/ts at *an). In)u-ita-., n'it*'r a
)at' of -irt* /'rtifi/at' nor a matri/uation or
'?ui(a'nt /'rtifi/at' from a s/*oo 5as +ro)u/')
-'for' t*' 4oar) an), t*'r'for', t*' 4oar) 5as r'?uir')
to o-tain a m')i/a o+inion of a )u. /onstitut')
M')i/a 4oar), 5*i/* 5as )on'. T*' M')i/a 4oar)
/arri') out t*' ossifi/ation t'sts of t*' a//us') an)
o+in') t*at *is ag' 5as -'t5''n "&@"2 .'ars.
T*'r'for', 5it* a margin of on' .'ar, as sti+uat') in
Ru' $$(6!(i(!, *is ag' /ou) aso -' "# .'ars or "C
.'ars. In a))ition to t*' sai) o+inion, t*' +ros'/ution
aso +a/') -'for' t*' 4oar), a Got'rs List of t*'
Constitu'n/. of D'og*ar for t*' .'ar $%%6. In t*at
ist, t*' nam' of t*' a//us') a++'ar') at S. No. 3"&
an) *is ag' 5as r'/or)') as $% .'ars. Ta1ing into
/onsi)'ration t*is mat'ria an) t*' +*.si/a a++'aran/'
of t*' a//us'), t*' 4oar) o+in') as un)'rB@
1
9A++i/ant Ra0's* Ma*at*a is +r's'nt -'for'
t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar). 4. o-s'r(ing *is
+*.si/a -uit u+, it a++'ars t*at *' is an
a)ut. Aso in t*' m')i/a '=amination r'+ort
*is ag' *as -''n s*o5n as "&@"2 .'ars.
His a)ut*oo) /an -' ('rifi') from t*' Got'r
List $%%6 5*'r' t*' a++i/ant ag' *as -''n
s*o5n as $% .'ars. It is aso t*' o+inion of
t*' ot*'r 4oar) m'm-'rs t*at t*' a++i/ant
Ra0's* Ma*at*a a++'ars to -' a)ut an) in t*'
-a/1groun) of t*' )at' of t*' in/i)'nt *' 5as
an a)ut.
T*'r'for', -. t*' /on/urring o+inion of t*'
m'm-'rs of t*' 4oar), it is )'/ar') t*at
Ra0's* Ma*at*a t*' a//us') a++i/ant is an
9a)ut: of mor' t*an "2 .'ars of ag' in t*'
-a/1groun) of t*' )at' of t*' o//urr'n/' of
t*' in/i)'nt.:
20.As not') su+ra, t*' Hig* Court *as r'('rs') t*'
o+inion of t*' 4oar). T*' r''(ant +ortion of t*' Hig*
Court8s or)'r r'a)s t*usB@
9Ha(ing r'gar) to t*' fa/ts an) /ir/umstan/'s
of t*' /as', I fin) t*at J*ar1*an) Ju('ni'
Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n!
Ru's $%%3 *as )'(is') Ru' $$ -'ing t*'
+ro/')ur' to -' foo5') -. t*' Ju('ni'
Justi/' 4oar) in *o)ing 'n?uir. in
)'t'rmination of t*' ag' of a Ju('ni' Ru' $$
(6! (i(! +ro(i)'s t*at t*' o+inion of t*'
M')i/a 4oar), )u. /onstitut'), 5ou) -' t*'
gui)ing fa/tor in )'t'rmination of t*' ag' of
a Ju('ni', su-0'/t to margin of on' .'ar in
a-s'n/' of t*' -irt* /'rtifi/at' of Ju('ni'
in /onfi/t 5it* a5. I fin) t*at t*' sai)
+ro(ision of Ru' *as -''n ignor') -. t*'
Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) as 5' as -. t*'
S'ssion Court.
1
In t*' /ir/umstan/', t*' or)'r im+ugn') +ass')
-. t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) on 3.#.$%%#
5*'r'-. an) 5*'r'un)'r t*' ag' of t*'
+'tition'r 5as )'t'rmin') mor' t*an "2 .'ars
is s't asi)' an) t*' "
st
A)). S'ssions Ju)g',
D'og*ar is )ir'/t') to +ass a++ro+riat' or)'r
r'turning -a/1 t*' r'/or)s of t*' Ju('ni' to
t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) in a//or)an/' 5it*
a5 as 'ar. as +ossi-'.:
21.From t*' afor'@'=tra/t') or)'rs of t*' 4oar) as 5'
as t*' Hig* Court, it is manif'st t*at t*' ?u'stion of
)'t'rmination of ag' of t*' a//us') *as -''n )'/i)') -.
-ot* t*' Courts in a /asua mann'r, ignoring t*'
+rin/i+'s of a5 on t*' su-0'/t.
22.Insofar as t*' 4oar) is /on/'rn'), it is '(i)'nt t*at
it *as m'/*ani/a. a//'+t') t*' 'ntr. in Got'rs List
as /on/usi(' 5it*out a++r'/iating its +ro-ati(' (au'
in t'rms of t*' +ro(isions of S'/tion 36 of t*' In)ian
E(i)'n/' A/t, "2&$. S'/tion 36 of t*' sai) A/t a.s
)o5n t*at an 'ntr. in an. +u-i/ or ot*'r offi/ia
-oo1, r'gist'r, r'/or), stating a fa/t in issu' or
r''(ant fa/t ma)' -. a +u-i/ s'r(ant in t*' )is/*arg'
of *is offi/ia )ut. 's+'/ia. 'n0oin') -. t*' a5 of
t*' /ountr. is its'f a r''(ant fa/t. It is trit'
t*at to r'n)'r a )o/um'nt a)missi-' un)'r S'/tion 36,
t*r'' /on)itions *a(' to -' satisfi'), nam'.B (i!
1
'ntr. t*at is r'i') on must -' on' in a +u-i/ or
ot*'r offi/ia -oo1, r'gist'r or r'/or)> (ii! it must
-' an 'ntr. stating a fa/t in issu' or a r''(ant fa/t,
an) (iii! it must -' ma)' -. a +u-i/ s'r(ant in
)is/*arg' of *is offi/ia )uti's, or in +'rforman/' of
*is )ut. 's+'/ia. 'n0oin') -. a5. An 'ntr. r'ating
to )at' of -irt* ma)' in t*' s/*oo r'gist'r is
r''(ant an) a)missi-' un)'r S'/tion 36 of t*' A/t .#'
'/( (0')1 )(2")$%02 '/( "2( 34 " +()s30 %0 " s5/33&
)(2%s'() %s 34 03' *#5/ (6%$(0'%")1 6"&#( '3 +)36( '/(
"2( 34 '/( +()s30 %0 '/( ".s(05( 34 '/( *"'()%"& 30
7/%5/ '/( "2( 7"s )(53)$($. (S''B )irad a$ Sin"hvi Vs.
Anand Purohit
(
!
23.T*'r'for', on fa/ts at *an), in t*' a-s'n/' of
'(i)'n/' to s*o5 on 5*at mat'ria t*' 'ntr. in t*'
Got'rs List in t*' nam' of t*' a//us') 5as ma)', a m'r'
+ro)u/tion of a /o+. of t*' Got'rs List, t*oug* a
+u-i/ )o/um'nt, in t'rms of S'/tion 36, 5as not
suffi/i'nt to +ro(' t*' ag' of t*' a//us'). Simiar.,
t*oug* a r'f'r'n/' to t*' r'+ort of t*' M')i/a 4oar),
s*o5ing t*' ag' of t*' a//us') as "&@"2 .'ars, *as -''n
ma)' -ut t*'r' is no in)i/ation in t*' or)'r 5*'t*'r
9
19,, (S#++) SCC 04
1
t*' 4oar) *a) summon') an. of t*' m'm-'rs of t*'
M')i/a 4oar) an) r'/or)') t*'ir stat'm'nt. It aso
a++'ars t*at t*' +*.si/a a++'aran/' of t*' a//us'),
*as 5'ig*') 5it* t*' 4oar) in /oming to t*' afor'@not')
/on/usion, 5*i/* again ma. not -' a )'/isi(' fa/tor to
)'t'rmin' t*' ag' of a )'in?u'nt. Insofar as t*' Hig*
Court is /on/'rn'), t*'r' is no in)i/ation in its or)'r
as to in 5*at mann'r Ru' $$(6!(i(! *as -''n ignor') -.
t*' 4oar). T*' 'arn') Ju)g' s''ms aso to *a('
a//'+t') t*' o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar) in t'rms of
t*' sai) Ru' as /on/usi('. T*'r'for', t*' afor'@
stat') groun) on 5*i/* t*' Hig* Court *as s't asi)' t*'
o+inion of t*' 4oar) an) *o)ing t*' a//us') to -' a
0u('ni', /annot -' sustain').
2*.In our 0u)gm'nt, a+art from t*' fa/t t*at t*'
im+ugn') or)'r suff'rs from t*' -asi/ infirmit. of
-'ing (ioati(' of t*' +rin/i+'s of natura 0usti/',
it /annot -' sustain') on m'rits as 5'. At t*' sam'
tim', 5' ar' aso /on(in/') t*at t*' or)'r of t*' 4oar)
fas s*ort of a +ro+'r 'n?uir. as 'n(isag') in S'/tion
;C of t*' A/t.
25.For t*' afor'm'ntion') r'asons, t*' a++'a is
ao5') an) t*' matt'r is r'mitt') to t*' C*i'f
1
Ju)i/ia Magistrat', D'og*ar, *'a)ing t*' 4oar), 5it* a
)ir'/tion to r'@)'t'rmin' t*' ag' of t*' a//us'), as on
t*' )at' of /ommission of t*' a'g') off'n/'s, in
a//or)an/' 5it* a5, 'nun/iat') a-o('. In t*' '('nt *'
is foun) to -' a 0u('ni' 5it*in t*' m'aning of t*'
A/t, *' s*a -' )'at 5it* a//or)ing.. Ho5'('r, if
*' is not foun) to -' a 0u('ni', *' 5ou) fa/' tria
un)'r t*' or)inar. /rimina a5. T*' in?uir. s*a -'
/om+'t') '=+')itious., +r'f'ra-. 5it*in si= mont*s
of r'/'i+t of a /o+. of t*is 0u)gm'nt.
.....................J.
+C.K. T,AKKER-
.....................J.
+D.K. JAIN-
NE. DEL,I/
OCTOBER 3, 2008.
2