COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The subject-matter of the present Criminal Reference is reproduced below:

(2.) It was brought to our attention that on 11th February, 2009, the Ministry of Home Affairs (hereinafter referred to as 'the MHA') issued the 'Comprehensive Guidelines Regarding service of summons/notices/judicial process on persons residing abroad' ('2009 Guidelines') that laid down the procedure for the service of summons on witnesses residing abroad, for the purpose of recording their evidence. These guidelines of 2009 clarified that the MHA on behalf of the Central Government had entered into reciprocal arrangements with foreign governments for service of summons/warrants/judicial processes, as required under Section 105 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The reciprocal arrangements were in the form of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties ('MLAT') with other countries.

(3.) During the pendency of the present proceedings, the MHA revised and updated its 2009 Guidelines with a view to comprehensively codify guidelines covering a gamut of issues including issuance of Letters Rogatory, mutual legal assistance requests, service of summons, notices, judicial processes including request for video conferencing, protection and preservation of data and extradition requests.