IMPORTANT POINT
Only officers of and above the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector are authorized to conduct investigations of cognizable offences, as per Section 157 Cr.P.C. and Rajasthan Police Rules.

ORDER :

1. The instant misc. petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed on behalf of the petitioner for quashing the entire criminal proceedings of Case No. 1912/17, pending trial before learned Metropolitan Magistrate No. 26, Jaipur Metropolitan City (Sanganer), arising out of FIR No. 47/17 PS Sanganer Sadar, Jaipur (South) for offences under Sections 341, 323 and 506 IPC.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner vehemently and fervently contends that the entire criminal proceedings arising out of the impugned FIR is vitiated as investigation of the present case has been conducted by a Head Constable, who was not empowered to conduct the investigation of the case involving cognizable offence(s). He further submits that not only investigation was conducted by a Head Constable but charge-sheet was also filed by him, which is apparent from the charge sheet filed before the learned court below. He has placed reliance on the following judgments:

(i) Pankaj Bansal & Anr v. State of Rajasthan, 2018 (1) Cri. LR (Raj) 1

(ii) Pharisa Promin & Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, 2019 (4) Cr. L.R. (Raj. 1797

3. Learned counsel also draws attention of the Court to the information received under RTI Act from the office of Addl. Director General of Police, Crime Branch, Rajasthan as per which, only the police officers of and above the rank of ASI are empowered to conduct investigation. The aforesaid information received under RTI Act by the petitioner, is reproduced herein-below for the sake of ready reference:

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4. On these submissions, learned counsel for the petitioner craves acceptance of the instant misc. petition and quashing of the entire criminal proceedings arising out of the impugned FIR.

5. Per contra, learned Public Prosecutor assisted by learned counsel for the complainant oppose the submissions of the petitioner's counsel. Learned counsel for the complainant submits that the issue/argument raised by counsel for the petitioner has already been discussed and considered in the case of State of Rajasthan v. Kera & Ors. (1998) 3 RLW (Raj.) 1577 wherein it was held that Head Constable is well within his power to conduct investigation of a case involving cognizable offence(s).

6. I have given my thoughtful consideration to the submissions advanced at bar and perused the material available on record. I have also gone through the judgments cited by both the sides.

7. The question arises for consideration of this Court is whether a Head Constable can conduct investigation of a case involving cognizable offence or not.

8. Section 157 of Cr.P.C prescribes procedure for investigation. The same is reproduced hereinbelow for the sake of ready-reference:

“Section 157 Procedure for investigation.

(1) If, from information received or otherwise, an officer in charge of a police station has reason to suspect the commission of an offence which he is empowered under section 156 to investigate, he shall forthwith send a report of the same to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of such offence upon a police report and shall proceed in person, or shall depute