The court ruled that multiple FIRs against the same individual, based on distinct allegations, cannot be clubbed for investigation, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation into serious economic offences.

JUDGMENT :

Sameer Jain, J.

1. Since the instant batch of petitions raises common questions of law and fact, and in view of the consent accorded by the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties, all the petitions are being heard conjointly and are being disposed of by means of this common judgment, to avoid multiplicity of proceedings and to ensure judicial economy.

2. The principal as well as incidental reliefs sought by the petitioners in the present set of petitions relate to the issuance of appropriate directions for consolidation and joint investigation of all thirteen First Information Reports (hereinafter referred to as the 'impugned FIRs'). The petitioners have prayed that the said FIRs be clubbed and the investigation thereof be entrusted to a single investigative agency functioning under the supervision of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, who is posted in any district of the State of Rajasthan, excluding the districts of Baran and Jhalawar. The petitioners have further prayed that any additional FIRs, if registered in connection with the same subject matter, be also transferred to and investigated by the said authority to ensure consistency and impartiality in the investigation process.

3. In the alternative and/or additionally, the petitioners have invoked the inherent powers of the Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (now corresponding to Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 ), seeking quashing of the impugned FIRs along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom. It is contended that the FIRs in question are registered on vague, indefinite, and unsubstantiated allegations, and are founded upon mere conjectures and assumptions, thereby constituting an abuse of the process of law.

SUBMISSIONS BY THE LEARNED COUNSEL APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONERS :-

4. Learned Senior Counsel Shri Madhav Mitra, ably assisted by learned counsel Ms. Jaya Mitra along with Shri Rajendra Sharma, Shri Rahul Tiwari, and other counsel appearing, submitted on that the present batch of petitions arises out of a common factual backdrop pertaining to a former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), who has previously held the portfolios of Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Gopalan in the State of Rajasthan.

5. It was contended that immediately after the conclusion of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Elections, 2023, and consequent to the petitioner being unsuccessful therein and no longer being affiliated with the ruling political party, a series of FIRs came to be registered against him, his relatives, friends, and associates. It was alleged that these FIRs were lodged with a political motive and under the influence of the newly elected ruling party. The petitioners have placed on record the material particulars of the said FIRs, which are reproduced herein for the sake of brevity.