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2023 Supreme(Raj) 1822

IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN AT JAIPUR BENCH
Anoop Kumar Dhand, J.
Suraj Sharma @ Durgesh - Petitioner
Versus
The State Of Rajasthan - Respondent
S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 10330 of 2022
Decided On : 16-01-2023

Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. C.P. Singh for Mr. Kailash Chand Sharma, Advocates
For the Respondent: Mr. Imran Khan, PP

Headnote:(A) Criminal Procedure Code - Section 482 - Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act - Section 5(L)/6 - Right to fair trial encompasses the right to cross-examine witnesses - The trial court's order denying a further opportunity for cross-examination was quashed, emphasizing the importance of fairness in hearings. (Paras 6, 7, 9)

(B) Fair trial - Fundamental right - Accused's right to cross-examine witnesses is part of the fundamental right to fair trial, which includes providing adequate opportunities to the accused for justice. (Paras 7, 8)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner challenged the dismissal of his application to summon witnesses for cross-examination in a trial regarding serious offences under IPC and POCSO Act, citing unavailability of counsel as a reason for failing to cross-examine previously. (Paras 1, 2)

Findings of Court:
The court granted one last opportunity to the petitioner to cross-examine the witnesses, contingent on the payment of costs, emphasizing the need to ensure justice is served. (Paras 8, 9)

Issues: The primary issue addressed was the balance between the right to a fair trial and the consequences of procedural defaults by the accused. (Paras 5)

Ratio Decidendi: The court reaffirmed that fairness in trial requires that opportunities for cross-examination should not be denied without just cause, thus prioritizing the principle of justice over procedural failures. (Paras 7, 8)

Result: Petition allowed.

Table of Content
1. overview of the case and charges against the petitioner. (Para 1 , 2)
2. opposition from the public prosecutor regarding the petitioner’s claims. (Para 3)
3. analysis of fair trial rights and importance of cross-examination. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7)
4. ruling on providing another opportunity for cross-examination. (Para 8)
5. final order and conclusion on the petition. (Para 9 , 10 , 11)

ORDER :

Anoop Kumar Dhand, J.

By way of filing of the instant criminal misc. petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., the petitioner has challenged the impugned order dated 03.09.2022 passed by, Special Judge, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (for short 'the POCSO Act') No. 1, Jaipur Metropolitan, Jaipur in case No. 79/2021 by which application filed by the petitioner for summoning PW-1 Bhag Chand and the prosecutrix has been dismissed.

2. Facts of the case, in nutshell, are that the petitioner is facing trial for the offence under Section 376(2)(N), 384 of IPC and under Section 5 (L)/6 of POCSO Act and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. After framing of charge, the case was posted for recording the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and on 05.03.2022, PW-1 Bhag Chand appeared and his examination-in- chief was recorded. Counsel for the petitioner was not available on that day and the case was posted for the next date and on the next date, the petitioner refused to cross-examine these witnesses and hence cross-examination of these witnesses was closed and thereafter the case was posted for recording the statement of prosecutrix on 20.05.2022 and when these witnesses was not cross-examined, the opportunity of cross-examination was closed. Thereafter the petitioner submitted an application under Sectioni 311 Cr.P.C. for summoning these two witnesses on 30.07.2022 but the same has been rejected by the learned trial Judge vide its order dated 03.09.2022. Counsel for the petitioner submits that due to unavailability of the counsel for the petitioner, these witnesses could not be cross-examined. Counsel submits that the fair trial is a fundamental right of a person and cross-examination with the witnesses is the statutory right of the accused. Counsel submits that one last opportunity be granted to the petitioner by imposing suitable cost.

3. Per contra, learned Public Prosecutor has opposed the prayer made by the counsel for the petitioner.

4. Heard and considered the learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record.

5. A perusal of the impugned order indicates that sufficient opportunity was granted to the accused to cross-examine the witnesses but the same was not encashed by him and the time sought for cross-examining of these witnesses at one point of time, the counsel for the petitioner refused to cross-examine the PW-1 Bhag Chand. Hence his opportunity for cross-examination was closed.

6. Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Natasha Singh v. CBI (State) reported in 2013 AIR SCW 3554 has held in para 9 as under:-

    "Fair trial is the main object of criminal procedure, and it is the duty of the court to ensure that such fairness is not hampered or threatened in any manner. Fair trial entails the interests of the accused, the victim and of the society, and therefore, fair trial includes the grant of fair and proper opportunities to the person concerned, and the same must be ensured as this is a constitutional, as well as a human right."

7. Looking to the proposition of law as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Natasha Singh (supra), it is settled proposition of law that fair trial is the main object of criminal procedure and right of cross-examination is a part of right of fair trial which every person or accused has in the spirit of right of life and personal liberty. This Court is of the view that the default made by a party and whereby creating inconvenience to the opposite party can be cured and compens

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