SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
KULDIP SINGH, P.B. SAWANT & N.M. KASLIWAL, JJ.
Re Death of Sawinder Singh over With Shri Dalip K. Basu etc. State of West Bengal
W.P. (Crl.) Nos. 539/86 and 592/87
Decided on 21-10-1992
Advocates appeared :
Mr. K.K. Luthra, Sr. Adv. M/s. DN. Goburdhan, Sidharth Luthra and Mukhtiar Singh, Advs., for the petitioner.
Mr. G. Ramaswamy. AG, Mr. KTS Tulsi, ASG, Mr. N.N. Goswamy, Sr. Adv. M/s. C.V. Subba Rao, V.K. Sagar and Sudhir Walia, Adv. for the Union.
Constitution of India, 1950 – First Information Report - Affidavit filed before Honble Supreme Court regarding leading to death of does not appear to be truthful - It was certainly not a suicidal jump by as propounded in affidavit - It is possible to say precisely what went on inside room leading incident - There is strong suspicion of sore misfeasance including torture on part of Singh whose accounts in this regard are unworthy of credit - It is not disputed that has not as yet been finally investigated - Learned Attorney General assisting us in this case stats that he does not accept findings of Report and he reserves his right to challenge same at appropriate state – Held, Court direct C.B.I. to ensure that a F.I.R. is registered on facts as emanate from our order and report of Learned Additional District Judge - A Copy of report along with at annexure be sent to Central Bureau of Investigation - As an interim measure by way of ex-gratia payment court direct that sum of amount shall be paid by Union of India - Directorate of Enforcement of widow of deceased - In event a suit being filed for compensation appropriate compensation may be determined in accordance with law after hearing parties - Contentions of learned Attorney General which he wishes to place before us at this stage should be reserved by his for an appropriate stage - In event a decree to be passed sum of to be paid ex-gratia shall not be taken into account – Petition disposed
ORDER
We have perused the report of the Learned Additional District Judge, Delhi. In the conclusions he has summed up the report as under:
(i) Shri Nandays deposition contained in para No.8 of his affidavit filed before Honble Supreme Court regarding the circumstances leading to the death of Sawinder Singh does not appear to be truthful. It was certainly not a suicidal jump by Sawinder Singh as propouned in the affidavit of Shri Nanday.
(ii) It is possible to say precisely what went on inside room leading the incident. There is strong suspicion of sore misfeasance including torture on the part of Shri Narang and Shri Jaswant Singh whose accounts in this regard are unworthy of credit.
It is not disputed that the matter has not as yet been finally investigated. The Learned Attorney General assisting us in this case stats that he does not accept the findings of the Report and he reserves his right to challenge the same at the appropriate state. We are of the view that the facts and circumstances which have now come to light create as prima facie case for investigation and prosecution. We therefore direct that all the persons named in the Report of the Learned Additional District Judge and others who are accused as a result of the investigation be prosecuted for the appropriate offences under the law by the Central Bureau of Investigation. We direct the C.B.I. to ensure that a F.I.R. is registered on the facts as emanate from our order and the report of the Learned Additional District Judge. A Copy of the report along with at the annexures be sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation. As an interim measure by way of ex-gratia payment, we direct that sum of Rs.2,00,000/- (Two laks) shall be paid by the Union of India. Directorate of Enforcement of the widow of the deceased Sawinder Singh. In the event a suit being filed for compensation appropriate compensation may be determined in accordance with law after hearing the parties. The contentions of the learned Attorney General which he wishes to place before us at this stage should be reserved by his for an appropriate stage. In the event a decree to be passed the sum of Rs.2,00,000/- to be paid ex-gratia shall not be taken into account. The payment of rupees two lakhs shall be made within three months from today. The amount shall be deposited in the Registry of this Court and the widow of deceased Sawinder Singh shall be at liberty to withdraw the entire amount on the identification to the satisfaction of the Registrar (Admn) Any observation made by us in the order will not affect the investigation prosecution and the trial. Notice is disposed by us.
For Citation : 1992 (6) JT 271.
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