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2012 Supreme(Pat) 912

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
RAKESH KUMAR, J.
Krishna Singh, S/o Shri Gyan Chand Singh, Asstt. Engineer, National Building Construction Corporation, Noida, Gaziabad (U.P.) – Petitioner
Shri Babban Prasad Singh, Son of Shri Ram Narain Singh. – Petitioner
Versus
The Central Bureau Of Investigation, SPE, Patna
Criminal Miscellaneous No.44576 of 2009, 18385 of 2009
Decided On : 17.7.2012

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioners: Mr. Prashant Kashyap, Adv. Mr. Amit Prakash, Adv.
For the Opposite Partys : Mr. Bipin Kumar Sinha, S.C. for C.B.I.

Headnote:

Delay in Criminal Proceeding - Right to Speedy Trial - Article 21 of the Constitution of India - A.I.R. 1992 SC 1701 (ABDUL REHMAN ANTULAY AND OTHERS Versus R.S. NAYAK AND ANOTHER), (2002) 4 SCC 578 (P. RAMACHANDRA RAO Versus STATE OF KARNATAKA) - The court dismissed the petitions and directed the Special Judicial Magistrate (C.B.I.), Patna, to expeditiously proceed with the case, framing charges within two months and concluding the trial within seven months, at least thrice a week, with C.B.I. assistance.

Fact of the Case:

The case involved an F.I.R. registered in 1988 by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Patna, alleging a conspiracy to cheat insurance companies. The charge sheet was submitted in 1990, but charges had not been framed till the date of the judgment.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that delay in the case was not solely attributable to the prosecution, and dismissed the petitions. It directed the Special Judicial Magistrate (C.B.I.), Patna, to expedite the case and conclude the trial within seven months.

Issues: The main issue was the delay in the criminal proceeding and the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the delay in the case was not solely attributable to the prosecution and directed the trial court to expedite the case, framing charges within two months and concluding the trial within seven months, at least thrice a week, with C.B.I. assistance.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the petitions and directed the Special Judicial Magistrate (C.B.I.), Patna, to expedite the case and conclude the trial within seven months.

Oral ORDER

1. Both the aforesaid cases were heard together and are being disposed of by this common order.

2. Before proceeding with the matter, it is relevant to incorporate that the aforesaid petitions were earlier heard and on 28.6.2012, in view of the fact that in the present case F.I.R. was lodged long back in the year 1988, this court directed for listing both the cases under the heading “For Orders” on 9th July, 2012, so that, Court may contemplate to finally hear and dispose of the matter under the heading “For Orders”. Earlier, Smt. Soni Srivastava, learned counsel, was appearing on behalf of petitioners in both the cases. However, on 9th July, 2012, an unusual prayer was made by one Sri Pawan Kumar Singh, learned Advocate, for transferring the case to any other court. This Court passed a detailed order on 13.7.2012, which is reproduced hereinbelow:-

“Both the cases have been taken together. Cr. Misc. No. 44576 of 2009 was taken up for hearing on the point of admission on 03.04.2012. The present petition was filed by four petitioners, who had authorized Smt. Soni Shrivastava and Sri Amit Prakash, learned counsel to represent their case before this Court. On 03.04.2012, the matter was heard. A plea was taken by learned counsel for the petitioners that trial has inordinately delayed. On query, it was intimated by Sri Bipin Kumar Sinha, learned Standing Counsel for C.B.I. that on the date, the Court of Special Judicial Magistrate, C.B.I., Patna was vacant. Keeping in view the fact that case was an old one, this Court directed the Registrar General of this Court to submit report on the fact “as to whether the court of Special Judicial Magistrate, C.B.I. Patna is vacant or not. If it is vacant, within what time, power is going to be delegated for conducting C.B.I. Cases by the learned Magistrate, where the case is pending”.

After report was received from the office of the Registrar General, the matter was again placed before this Court on 23.04.2012. On that date, a prayer was made by learned counsel for the petitioners for granting accommodation and it was directed to list this case after four weeks. Since power was not delegated till that date for conducting C.B.I. Cases, this Court directed the Registrar General to place on record further progress in respect of appointment of Special Judicial Magistrate, C.B.I. Patna. Thereafter, again report was placed by the Registrar General, whereby it was evident that one Sri Sunil Kumar no.2, Judicial Magistrate, Patna was nominated as Presiding Officer as Special Judicial Magistrate Court, C.B.I. Patna as per Government Notification. Again on 26.06.2012, the case was got adjourned as per instance of the petitioners and it was directed to be listed on the next date. On 28.06.2012, Smt. Soni Shrivastava, learned counsel for the petitioners informed the Court that in Cr.Misc.No.44576 of 2009, petitioners had filed Interlocutory Application i.e. I.A. No.795 of 2012, which was not on record and, as such, office was directed to locate the same and place it on record.

Keeping in view the fact that the case was pending since long, this Court directed for listing the case under the heading “For Orders” on 9th July, 2012, so that Court may contemplate to finally hear and dispose of the matter under the same heading. On 9th July, 2012, when the case was taken up, one another counsel, namely, Sri Pawan Kumar Singh appeared and informed the Court that after obtaining ‘no objection’ from earlier appearing counsel, he has filed fresh Vakalatnama. He further made a prayer for transferring the case to any other Court. On query by the Court regarding the reason for such prayer, it was replied that I (Rakesh Kumar, J) was earlier C.B.I. Counsel. On that date without recording any order, the Court requested the learned counsel for the petitioners to come prepared and argue the case on the next date. Again on 10.07.2012 when matter was taken up, similar stand was taken by Sri Pawan Kumar Singh, learn






















































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