94
undermines the accused’s right to fair investigation; it is up to the trial court that
must take an active role in scrutinizing the record extensively, rather than accept
the prosecution side willingly, so as to bare such hidden or concealed actions
taken during the course of investigation.79
175. In the present case, the trial court ought to have inquired more deeply into
the role of DW-1, given that by her own deposition she had admitted to
analyzing call detail records and involvement in Neha’s arrest – all of which had
been suppressed by the prosecution side, for reasons best known to them. In this
context, a reading of Section 91 and 243 CrPC as done in Manu Sharma, is
important to refer to:
“217. ..Section 91 empowers the court to summon production of any document
or thing which the court considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of any
investigation, inquiry, trial or another proceeding under the provisions of the
Code. Where Section 91 read with Section 243 says that if the accused is called
upon to enter his defence and produce his evidence there he has also been given
the right to apply to the court for issuance of process for compelling the
attendance of any witness for the purpose of examination, cross-examination or
the production of any document or other thing for which the court has to pass a
reasoned order.”
176. The court went on to elaborate on the due process protection afforded to
the accused, and its effect on fair disclosure responsibilities of the public
prosecutor, as follows:
“218. The liberty of an accused cannot be interfered with except under due
process of law. The expression “due process of law” shall deem to include
fairness in trial. The court (sic Code) gives a right to the accused to receive all
documents and statements as well as to move an application for production of any
record or witness in support of his case. This constitutional mandate and statutory
rights given to the accused place an implied obligation upon the prosecution
(prosecution and the Prosecutor) to make fair disclosure. The concept of fair
disclosure would take in its ambit furnishing of a document which the prosecution
relies upon whether filed in court or not. That document should essentially be
furnished to the accused and even in the cases where during investigation a
document is bona fide obtained by the investigating agency and in the opinion of
the Prosecutor is relevant and would help in arriving at the truth, that document
should also be disclosed to the accused.
79 Role of the courts in a criminal trial has been discussed in Zahira Habibulla H.Shiek v. State of Gujarat
(2004) 4 SCC 158.
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