Administration of Justice - The Legal Chamber

The Supreme Court held that for withdrawing prosecution against sitting or former MPs/MLAs, the State must seek the High Court's permission under the mandate of Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The Public Prosecutor must disclose all reasons for seeking withdrawal, enabling the High Court to apply its judicial mind and pass a reasoned order. Facts Of The Case: The appellant, Bal Kumar Patel @ Raj Kumar, was the subject of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in June 2007 at Police Station Kotwali Nagar, Raebareli. These included Case Crime No. 656/07 and others under Sections 25, 27, 30 of the Arms Act, as well as Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code concerning an arms license. Following investigation, a chargesheet was filed, and the Chief Judicial Magistrate,...

This Supreme Court judgment clarifies that for offences under Section 186 IPC, a written complaint by the concerned public servant or their superior is mandatory under Section 195(1)(a) CrPC before a court can take cognizance. However, the bar under Section 195 CrPC applies only at the stage of cognizance and does not prohibit the police from investigating such offences. The court also held that "obstruction" under Section 186 IPC is not limited to physical force but includes any act that impedes a public servant's duties. The legality of splitting distinct offences from those covered by Section 195 depends on the facts of each case. Facts Of The Case: A Process Server from the Nazarat Branch of the Shahdara courts was assigned to serve a warrant and a summons at the Nand Nagri police st...

Tag: Administration of Justice

Supreme Court Explains Section 195 CrPC: Police Can Investigate, But Courts Face a Hurdle