2021 Supreme(Del) 227
IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD, J.
Dr. Keshav Kumar Agarwal – Petitioner
Versus
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) – Respondent
Crl.M.C. No. 4480 of 2015
Decided On : 23-02-2021
For the Petitioner:Nishi Kant Singh, Abdhesh Chaudhary, Amit Jaiswal, Manisha Suri, Advocates.
For the Respondent:Prasanta Varma, SPP, Hiteshi Kakkar, Amrit Singh Khalsa, Advocates, Mukul Gupta, Sr. Advocate, Tushar Gupta, Sumit Mishra, Advocates, (Intervenor) Somiran Sharma, Advocate.
The judgment established the principle that once a court delivers a judgment, it becomes functus officio and cannot reconsider or modify the judgment, as prohibited by Section 362 Cr.P.C.
Headnote:
CRL.M.A. 17559/2020 - Modification of Order under Section 482 Cr.P.C - Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 - Sections 120B/420/468/471 IPC, Section 13(2) & 13(l)(d) - The court discussed the importance of videography during inspection, the relevance of the CD containing videography, and the implications of not supplying it to the accused. The judgment emphasized the significance of the videography as material evidence and directed the Trial Court to hear the parties on merit after supplying the copy of videography to all the accused persons.
Fact of the Case:
The case involved an application for modification of an order under Section 482 Cr.P.C, related to charges framed against the accused under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The dispute arose from the videography of an inspection conducted by the MCI, and the CD containing the videography, which was not supplied to the accused.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the entire judgment was based on the fact that the inspection had been videographed and a copy of the same had not been supplied to the accused. The court dismissed the application for modification, emphasizing that altering the judgment was prohibited by Section 362 Cr.P.C.
Issues: The issues revolved around the availability and supply of the CD containing videography of the inspection, the relevance of the videography as material evidence, and the permissibility of altering the judgment under Section 362 Cr.P.C.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the prohibition of altering the judgment under Section 362 Cr.P.C and the significance of the videography as material evidence, which warranted supplying the copy to the accused.
Final Decision: The application for modification was dismissed by the court, emphasizing that altering the judgment was prohibited by Section 362 Cr.P.C.
JUDGMENT :
CRL.M.A. 17559/2020
1. This is an application filed on behalf of the respondent/CBI under Section 482 Cr.P.C for modification of the order dated 29.07.2019 passed by this Court in CRL.M.C. 4480/2015.
2. This Court by order dated 29.07.2019 disposed of CRL.M.C.Nos. 4443/2015, 4480/2015 & 688/2017 and CRL. REV. P. No.25/2016. CRL.M.C.Nos. 4443/2015, 4480/2015 & 688/2017 have been filed by the accused challenging the order dated 07.10.2015 wherein the learned Additional Session Judge Special Judge CBI-01, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi has framed charges against the accused under Sections 120B/420/468/471 IPC read with Section 13(2) & 13(l)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The CBI filed CRL. REV. P. No.25/2016 challenging the same order discharging two accused in the case. This case arises out of the orders granting permission to Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly run by the Rohilkhand Educational Charitable Trust, Bareilly for extension of renewal of permission for admission of 3rd batch of MBBS students for the academic year 2008-09. This Court vide order dated 29.07.2019 found that both the parties i.e. the CBI and the accused were not satisfied with the order dated 07.10.2015 wherein charges have been framed and a few accused have been discharged. During the course of the arguments the counsels for both sides pointed out that an inspection which had been conducted by the MCI had been videographed and the CD of the videography has not been supplied to the petitioners. Paragraph No.37, 38, 39 of the judgment dated 29.07.2019 reads as under:
“37. During the course of the arguments, Learned counsels has pointed out that the inspection team has carried out videography and the said set of videography is not supplied to the Petitioners/Accused persons and the factum of videography is not disputed in the statement of the witness. The CBI also has not disputed carrying out the videography during the inspection. However, it is submitted that it has not been made part of the chargsheet. The said videography is a material evidence to reach to the conclusion, thus, the CD of the videography be supplied to the petitioners to show innocence on their part.
38. The perusal of the record shows that the videography was asked to be carried out in Letter from ASG Gopal Subramanium to Anbumani Ramadoss dated 13.10.2008 which is at Page 235 (Annexure-P12) of the petition No. CRL. M.C 4443/2015. Relevant extract of the Letter is reproduced below:
“ …I had pointed out that there is a serious concern of lack of transparency in the grant of recommendations by the Medical Council of India as well as the permissions granted by the Central Government in the setting up of medical colleges. I had expressed my very deep concern that standards in private medical colleges have to be firmly in order list there be a serious threat to the lives of citizens who would require treatment at the hands of doctors. In my view, the public good and public health is the foremost and primary as well as overriding consideration. In my view, it is the Medical council of India and the Central Government who are jointly responsible for the quality of medical education and consequent public health. However, I may make it clear that while there may be contest with reference to areas while there may be contest with reference to areas where one should have supremacy over the other, I am not persuaded to advise that the Central Government should reiterate the permission granted I favour of Ms Index Medical college, Indore as well as Rohilkhand Medical College, Up. As I said, the wide disparity between the MCI and the team deputed by the Central Government raise serious questions including the question which one is authentic for the purpose of according admission. I confirm that in a meeting with officers of the Ministry of health Welfare at which meeting Health Secretary was present. I had advised in order to satisfy myself before advancing further subm