RAM LAL Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN & ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the decision given by the Five Judges Bench of Honourable the Apex Court on 10.1.2014 in Hardeep Singh Vs. State of Punjabi Ors., 2014 Cr.L.R. (SC) 310, it was held that degree of satisfaction that will be required for summoning of a person under Sec. 319, Crimial P.C. would be the same as for framing a charge. A difference in the degree of satisfaction for summoning an original accused and a subsequent accused is on account of the fact that the trial may have already commenced against the original accused and then in the course of such trial, materials are disclosed against the newly summoned accused. Since, summoning of an accused will result in delay of the trial, therefore, the degree of satisfaction of summoning the accused (original and subsequent) has to be different. Other relevant cases on this point areas follows:

(2.) In the case of Michael Machado Vs. CBI, 2000 Cr.L.R. SC 265, it was held that if Court is not satisfied that there is ground to proceed against another person then there is no compelling duty to proceed against him under Sec. 319 Crimial P.C. It was also held in this case that powers under Sec. 319 Crimial P.C. are extra ordinary powers which are conferred on the Court and should be used very sparingly and only if compelling reasons exist for taking cognizance against the other persons against whom action has not been taken. It was also held that "unless the Court is hopeful that there reasonable prospect of the case as against the newly added accused ending in conviction of offence concerning, we would say that the Court should refrain for adopting such course of action." It was also held that suspicion only will not be sufficient to hold that there is reasonable prospect of conviction. In this case it was held that proceedings in respect of the newly added persons shall be commenced afresh and the witnesses reexamined. The whole proceedings will have to be recommenced from the beginning of the trial. If the witnesses already examined are in quite a large number then the Court must seriously consider whether the objects sought to be achieved by exercise under Sec. 319 Crimial P.C. is worth wasting the whole labour already under taken.

(3.) Thus, the law has been settled that in what cases, cognizance under Sec. 319, Crimial P.C. will be justified and in what cases it will not be justified.