Karnataka HC Issues Guidelines For Investigating Criminal Cases
Among other directions, the court ordered the establishment of specialised investigating wings and personnel with necessary training.
New Delhi: In an interim order, the Karnataka High Court has issued a slew of guidelines for speedy disposal of criminal cases against politicians and influential persons. As per the guidelines, the court has set a deadline of 60 days for petty offences and 90 days for the serious ones. According to a report by news agency PTI, among the 17 new rules, the implementation of Witness Protection Scheme to protect the lives and interest of the complainants is one of them.
The interim order passed by Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav also added that the aforementioned deadlines can be extended by the magistrates and judges in case the investigating agency seeks extension citing valid reasons.
According to the report, the interim order was issued on May 17 in connection with a plea filed by Sujit Mulgund, who alleged corruption charges against Abhay Kumar Patil, two-time MLA from Belgaum South constituency. The complaint sought probe into disproportionate assets of Patil.
As per the complainant, he is subject to constant threats to his life and harassment since he filed the complaint, with Patil and his henchmen allegedly forcing him to withdraw the complaint.
Mulgund had also filed a private complaint of corruption charges against the politician.
Citing inordinate delay in the case, the HC noted that the complaint was initially filed in 2012 but so far, no charge sheet has been filed by the investigating police.
The case is now being probed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Belagavi.
As per the PTI report, the Karnataka HC has also directed that investigating police should inform the magistrate of any interference in probe, by the accused, or any kind of obstruction faced in the investigation.
Among other directions, the court ordered the establishment of specialised investigating wings and personnel with necessary training. The state should also appoint capable public prosecutors in special courts who are capable of handling such cases, the HC said.
A list of vulnerable witnesses, deposition complexes available in Karnataka should also be placed on record, HC said, adding that the state should approve the establishment of a second special court at the earliest.
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