1981 Supreme(Raj) 153
Rajasthan High Court
Kanta Bhatnagar, J.
Mahendra Singh - Appellant
Versus
The State of Rajasthan - Respondents
S.B. Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 774 of 1981
Decided On : November 13, 1981
K.R. Joshi, for Petitioners No. 1 2, 4, 5 & 7; S.N. Deedwania, for Petitioner No 3; P.L. Choudhary, for Petitioner No. 6; D.S. Shishodia, S.S. Bhandawat & M.C. Bhati, Public Prosecutor, for State.
Headnote:(a) Evidence Act—Sec. 9 -Identification—Accused cannot claim for identification parade as of right. But prosecution runs the risk of losing the case by refusing such prayer in appropriate cases.(b) —Criminal Trial—Identification of Accused-Accused cannot claim for identification parade as of right. But prosecution runs the risk of losing the case by refusing such prayer in appropriate cases.(c) Criminal Trial—Courts should be reluctant to interfere, control or supervise the investigation.(d) Criminal Procedure Code—Sec. 482—Court to exercise inherent powers if exfacie no cognizable case is made out and there is abuse of process of law.(e) Criminal Procedure Code—Secs. 154 and 156—Irregularities by Investigating Officer during investigation not going to root of the case. Court not to interfere at investigation stage. Accused to claim benefit at appropriate time.
2. The seven petitioners, not yet arrested, have filed an application under Section 438 read with section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in this Court, contending therein that no case is made out against them and the persons, who are said to have named them in their police statements, neither knew them beforehand nor can identify them if a test identification parade is held. That, the investigation in the case is motivated by political influence and fabrication is writ large on the police record and therefore, the petitioners should be enlarged on anticipatory bail.
3. It has been further contended that the five accused, since arrested, had immediately after their arrest prayed the Chief Judicial Magistrate that they were not known to the witnesses and their identification parade should be conducted immediately. The prosecution contested that application and he Magistrate rejected the same. Thereafter third degree methods were adopted by the police and they were shown to the witnesses prior to the identification parade. The petitioners apprehend the same fate. The petitioners therefore, have prayed for anticipatory bail and in the alternative submitted that they are prepare to surrender themselves before the Superintendent, Central Jail or before any Magistrate and direction may be issued for holding the identification parade immediately before the petitioners are put in custody. Request has also been made for direction for getting the test identification parade held even for the witnesses who have named the petitioners in their police statements.
4. On October 22, 1981, the Public Prosecutor was directed to give in writing as to whether the Investigating Officer is willing to request the Magistrate to hold the identification parade of the accused petitioners even by the witnesses who are said to have named them in their statements under section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
5. On October 26, 1981, the Circle Officer, incharge of the investigation, in compliance to that order, submitted that naming the accused by the witnesses in their police statements, clearly indicates that they were knowing them beforehand That, the petitioners are absconding for a long time from their residence and despite efforts could not be arrested and therefore, proceedings under secs. 82 and 83 of the Code of Criminal Procedure have been initiated against them. That, some of the witnesses have not named the petitioners, rather have claimed to identify them on seeing them and therefore, identification parade for them was to be held. That, the weapons of offence are to be recovered from