Background
Supreme Court Judgment In the case of Dablu Kujur vs. The State of Jharkhand, the appellant challenged the High Court of Jharkhand's decision dated January 17, 2023. The High Court had denied his bail application in connection with FIR No. 238/2022, which included charges under Sections 302 and 120-B/34 of the IPC and various sections of the Arms Act.
Trial Status
During the proceedings, it was revealed that the trial was nearing completion with almost all prosecution witnesses examined. Given the advanced stage of the trial, the Supreme Court Judgment against granting bail to the appellant.
Issues with the Charge Sheet
The Supreme Court raised concerns about the inadequacy of the charge sheet filed in the case. Noting that similar issues were prevalent in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Court ordered the respective Directors General of Police (DGPs) to review the charge sheets and ensure compliance with legal requirements under Section 173(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Importance of Detailed Police Reports
The Court emphasised the importance of a detailed and compliant police report, as Section 173(2) outlined. These reports are crucial documents for prosecution, defence, and judicial proceedings. The Court directed that police reports must include specific details such as:
The names of the parties involved
The nature of the information
The names of the witnesses
Whether an offence appears to have been committed and by whom
The status of the accused (arrested, released on bond, forwarded in custody)
Relevant medical examination reports, particularly in cases involving offences under Sections 376 and related provisions of the IPC
Inclusion of Documents and Witness Statements
Additionally, the Court mandated that all documents and witness statements relied upon by the prosecution should be included in the report. It stressed that these requirements must be strictly complied with, and the concerned courts should address any non-compliance rigorously.
Directives for Compliance
The Supreme Court concluded the appeal by directing that these guidelines be communicated to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories and to the Registrar Generals of the High Courts for strict adherence and implementation.
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