JUDGMENT

Sanjay K. Agrawal, J. - The short question which emanates for consideration in this petition filed under Section 482 of the CrPC is, whether the trial Magistrate is justified in issuing general warrant for search of locker held by the petitioner in exercise of power conferred under Section 93(1)(c) of the CrPC? The aforesaid question arises in this case on the following factual backdrop: -

2. The petitioner was arrested by the jurisdictional police on 31-7-2019 in connection with Crime No.449/2019 registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Raipur, as he is alleged to have committed the offence punishable under Sections 384, 120B & 201 read with Section 34 of the IPC and during the pendency of investigation, on 18-9-2019, an application for issuance of search warrant of the petitioner's locker No.G 4/28 at IDBI Bank, Branch Aishwarya Residency, Telibandha, Raipur, was filed by the jurisdictional police before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Raipur stating that for collection of evidence, search of the petitioner's locker is necessary. Thereafter, charge-sheet was filed before the jurisdictional criminal court on 24-9-2019 for the aforesaid offences against the petitioner and t