SURENDRA KUMAR Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of filing the present petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., the petitioner has prayed for quashing of criminal proceedings in Special Case No.9/2000 pending in the court of Special Judge, Anti- Corruption Cases, Udaipur.

(2.) It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the facts of the case are that a challan was filed against the petitioner for misappropriation of a sum of Rs.50,831 while working on the post of UDC during the period from 1991 to 1993. After filing the challan, the learned trial court framed charges against the petitioner on 25.7.2001 for the offence under Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (C) (D) of Prevention of Corruption Act and under Sections 409, 420, 468 and 471 I.P.C. Thereafter, on the application submitted by the prosecution that separate charge-sheets for each charges is necessary, the learned trial court passed the order on 21.4.2003 for filing separate charge-sheets by the prosecution. It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that since 21.4.2003, several adjournments were sought by the prosecution but no separate charge-sheets were filed and thereafter, an application was moved by the prosecution on 10.6.2004 with the prayer that the trial of the case may be proceeded in accordance with the earlier charge-sheet and the case was further adjourned on so many dates. Lastly, vide order dated 28.10.2005, learned trial court further ordered and observed that the prosecution has not complied with the order dated 21.4.2003 and as such the prosecution is further directed to comply with the order dated 21.4.2003 and till the compliance is made, the trial of the case shall be kept in abeyance. It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is facing trial since 2001 and for the lack on the part of the prosecution in not filing separate charge-sheet, he cannot be made to suffer.

(3.) Further, it is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that when the prosecution itself filed an application with the prayer that the trial may be proceeded on the basis of the charges framed earlier, then obviously, the prayer was to be accepted by the learned trial court because the application filed by the prosecution dated 10.6.2004 clearly speaks that the prosecution does not want to file separate chargesheets as prayed earlier. Therefore, in the interest of justice, the order passed by the learned trial court dated 28.10.2005 may be quashed and trial of the case may be ordered to be commenced without any further delay.