Supreme Court orders further investigation by an independent investigation agency in a bail plea

By - Divisha Srivastava*

Recently the Supreme Court in a bail hearing ordered a further investigation in the matter by an independent body. 

The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner was charged for the murder of his wife. The petitioner claimed that he has done nothing wrong and that the deceased has committed suicide. He was charged under Section 323, 506, and 306 of the Indian Penal Code. The Rajasthan High Court denied bail to the petitioner, who was in judicial custody. The petitioner filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court of India against this decision of the Rajasthan High Court. 

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Initially, the bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant, was apprehensive to grant bail and recommended the counsel to withdraw the plea. In an attempt to persuade the bench, the lawyer claimed that the chargesheet did not indicate any offence and encouraged the bench to examine it.

After reviewing the chargesheet, the bench stressed the necessity for an independent inquiry, stating that the probe looked to be “motivated”.

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"...we are prima facie of the view that the matter should be transferred to an independent Investigating Agency for further investigation...Issue notice to the respondent – State to consider referring the current issue to an independent Investigative Agency for further inquiry, taking into account the charge-sheet submitted against the petitioner." the order said.

CLICK HERE TO READ ORDER.

*Divisha Srivastava is a 1st year student pursuing B.B.A.LL.B from S.N.D.T School of Law, Mumbai, Maharashtra.