July 16, 2024

Mitter Sain Meet

Novelist and Legal Consultant

ਨੁਕਸਦਾਰ ਤਫਤੀਸ਼(Defective Investigation)

                                        ਨੁਕਸਦਾਰ ਤਫਤੀਸ਼(Defective Investigation)

(Section 156 Cr.P.C.)

            ਤਫ਼ਤੀਸ਼ੀ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਦੀ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਦੀ ਅਧੂਰੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ, ਅਣਗਹਿਲੀ ਜਾਂ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਦੀ ਮੱਦਦ ਕਰਨ ਕਾਰਨ ਜੇ ਤਫ਼ਤੀਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਨੁਕਸ ਰਹਿ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਇਸਦਾ ਸਿੱਟਾ ਪੀੜਤ ਧਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਭੁਗਤਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ।

 1. ਜੇ ਬਾਕੀ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ ਭਰੋਸੇਯੋਗ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਕੇਵਲ ਨੁਕਸਦਾਰ ਤਫਤੀਸ਼ ਦੇ ਅਧਾਰ ਤੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਮੁਕੱਦਮੇ ਨੂੰ ਝੂਠਾ ਕਰਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ।

Case (i) : State of U.P. v/s Hari Mohan & others 2001 Cri.L.J.170 (SC)

Para “9. ….. However, the defective investigation cannot be made a basis for acquitting the accused if despite such defects and failures of the investigation, a case is made out against all the accused or anyone of them…”

Case (ii) : State of Punjab v/s Gurmit Singh 1996 Cri.L.J. 1728(1)

 Para “6. ….. Again, if the Investigating Officer did not conduct the Investigation properly or was negligent in not being able to trace out the driver of the car, how can that become a ground to discredit the testimony of the prosecutrix? The prosecutrix had no control over the investigating agency and the negligence of an Investigating Officer could not affect the credibility of the statement of the prosecutrix……”

Case (iii) : State of Rajasthan v/s Kishore 1996 Cri.L.J. 2003

 Para “18. ….. Mere fact that the investigating officer committed irregularity or illegality during the course of the investigation would not and does not cast doubt on the prosecution case nor trustworthy and reliable evidence can be cast aside to record acquittal on that account…”