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2020 Supreme(Ker) 852

ALEXANDER THOMAS
Sreenivasan, S/o. Kunhikrishnan – Appellant
Versus
State Of Kerala – Respondent


Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : SRI.S.SHANAVAS KHAN, SMT.S.INDU
For the Respondent: SRI.SUMAN CHAKRAVARTHY, SRI.S.SAJJU,PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

Judgement Key Points

Based on the provided legal document, the following key points are relevant:

  1. The court emphasizes that when a matter is pending trial, it is the responsibility of the petitioner to raise specific pleas through appropriate applications before the sessions court at the proper time. It is then for the sessions court to decide on those pleas (!) (!) .

  2. The court clarifies that the main prayer for quashing the supplementary final report (Annexure-C) cannot be granted, but it considers the last paragraph of Annexure-C to be illegal and ultravires. Both the original final report and the supplementary report should be read together, considering their cumulative effect (!) .

  3. The court acknowledges that the prosecution has the authority to conduct further investigation, especially when new material or evidence is discovered during the course of the case. The powers of the investigating agency to submit supplementary final reports are supported by legal principles that allow for such investigations to ensure a thorough inquiry (!) (!) .

  4. It is highlighted that the court’s role is to scrutinize the reports and evidence collectively to determine whether there are grounds to presume the accused’s involvement in the offence. The court must apply its judicial mind to the combined reports and documents, rather than dismissing or accepting them in isolation (!) .

  5. The court stresses that procedural laws are meant to promote justice, and any procedural lapses or errors, such as the inclusion or deletion of certain sections or offences, should be considered in light of whether they have caused prejudice to the accused. The court may permit alterations or additions to charges if justified, and such decisions are within the discretion of the trial court after hearing both parties (!) (!) .

  6. The court notes that amendments or alterations to charges, including including offences under different sections of the law, can be made during trial, provided proper procedures are followed, and any such changes should not prejudice the accused’s right to a fair trial (!) (!) .

  7. The court underscores that the final decision regarding the acceptance of supplementary reports, amendments to charges, or recalling witnesses is within the jurisdiction of the trial court. It advises that any such pleas or motions should be filed before the sessions court, which will consider them in accordance with law (!) (!) .

  8. Overall, the court’s observations are limited to the legality of the process and the correctness of the sessions court’s acceptance of the supplementary final report. It refrains from making definitive judgments on the substantive merits of the case at this stage (!) .

In summary, the legal principles outlined in the document affirm the importance of procedural correctness, the court’s discretion in allowing amendments, and the authority of the prosecution to conduct further investigation, all within the framework of ensuring justice and fairness in the trial process.


ORDER :

The prayer in the aforecaptioned Crl.M.C. filed under Sec. 482 of the Cr.P.C. is as follows :

    “... to call for the records of the case and quash Annexure-C charge sheet in Crime No.30/2015 of Mannancherry Police Station, Alappuzha which is now pending as SC No.728/2015 on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Court-I, (POCSO) Alappuzha, by allowing this Memorandum of Criminal Miscellaneous Case.”

2. Heard Sri.S.Shanavas Khan, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri.S.Sajju, learned Public Prosecutor appearing for respondent-State of Kerala.

3. The petitioner herein has been arrayed as the sole accused in the instant Crime No.30/2015 of Mannancherry Police Station, Alappuzha Police Station which has been initially registered for the offences punishable under Secs.354A(v) of the IPC, Sec.23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Secs. 7 r/w 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The police after investigation has filed the final report/charge sheet in this case which later led to the pendency of the sessions case SC No.728/2015 on the file of the 1st Addl.Sessions Court notified to deal with POCSO

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