SCC Online Web Edition, © 2022 EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Page 35 Monday, October 24, 2022 Printed For: Navami Krishnamurthy, Jindal Global University SCC Online Web Edition: http://www.scconline.com © 2022 EBC Publishing Pvt.Ltd., Lucknow. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- likely to be imposed. Thus, in America, strengthened by the Powell, Gideon and Hamlin cases, counsel for the accused in the more serious class of cases which threaten a person with imprisonment is regarded as an essential component of the administration of criminal justice and as part of procedural fair-play. This is so without regard to the sixth amendment because lawyer participation is ordinarily an assurance that deprivation of liberty will not be in violation of procedure established by law. In short, it is the warp and woof of fair procedure in a sophisticated, legalistic system plus lay illiterate indigents aplenty. The Indian socio-legal milieu makes free legal service, at trial and higher levels, an imperative processual piece of criminal justice where deprivation of life or personal liberty hangs in the judicial balance.” 129. In the aforesaid context, we may refer to the National Legal Services Authority (Free and Competent Legal Services) Regulations, 2010, more particularly, the Regulation-15, which reads thus: “15. Special engagement of senior advocates in appropriate cases.(1) If the Monitoring and Mentoring Committee or Executive Chairman or Chairman of the Legal Services Institution is of the opinion that services of senior advocate, though not included in the approved panel of lawyers, has to be provided in any particular case the Legal Services Institution may engage such senior advocate. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the State regulations, the Executive Chairman or Chairman of the Legal Services Institution may decide the honorarium of such senior advocate.” 130. This Court in Subhash Chand v. State of Rajasthan reported in (2002) 1 SCC 702 in para 26, while allowing the appeal and acquitting the accused appellant therein under Sections 302 and 376(2)(f) of the IPC, observed as under: “26. Before parting with the case we would like to place on record, an observation of ours, touching an aspect of the case. There are clueless crimes committed. The factum of a cognizable crime having been committed is known but neither the identity of the accused is disclosed nor is there any indication available of the witnesses who would be able to furnish useful and relevant evidence. Such offences put to test the wits of an investigating officer. A vigilant investigating officer, well versed with the techniques of the job, is in a position to collect the threads of evidence finding out the path which leads to the culprit. The ends, which the administration of criminal justice serves, are not achieved merely by catching hold of the culprit. The accusation has to be proved to the hilt in a court of law. The evidence of the investigating officer given in the court should have a rhythm explaining step by step how the investigation proceeded leading to detection of the offender and collection of evidence against him. This is necessary to exclude the likelihood of any innocent having been picked up and branded as a culprit and then the gravity of the offence arousing human sympathy persuading the mind to be carried away by doubtful or dubious circumstances treating them as of “beyond doubt” evidentiary value.” [Emphasis supplied] 131. In the result, the appeals are allowed. The conviction of the accused appellant under Section 302 of the IPC is set aside. He is acquitted of the charge framed against him. He shall be set at liberty forthwith if not required to be detained in connection with any other offences. 132. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of. SUPREME COURT OF INDIA RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS