Bharati Tamang v. Union Of India And Others

F.M Ibrahim Kalifulla, J.— The petitioner is the widow of one late Madan Tamang r/o Rhododendron Dell, District Darjeeling, West Bengal. According to the petitioner, her husband, who was the President of a political party called Akhil Bhartiya Gorkha League (in short “ABGL”), was brutally murdered on the morning of 21-5-2010 under the gaze of general public, police and security personnel by the supporters of rival party called Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha known as “GJMM” and that after the brutal attack on the deceased Madan Tamang he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Alleging that the whole investigation which was initially held by the State Police and thereafter by CID and later by CBI, was faulty in every respect, the petitioner has come forward with the following prayers in the writ petition:

“(a) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus quashing Charge-sheet No. 76 of 2010 submitted on 30-8-2010 by CID Homicide Squad, West Bengal along with Supplementary Charge-sheet No. 04 (03) dated 20-8-2011 (CBI) filed in GR Case No. 148 of 2010 by CBI on 20-8-2011 and the proceedings emanating therefrom pending before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Darjeeling in Sessions Case No. 77 of 2010.

(b) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus appointing an independent Special Investigation Team comprising of senior officers headed by a competent person or authority of impeccable credentials to conduct an investigation de novo into the conspiracy and gruesome murder of Madan Tamang on 21-5-2010 at Darjeeling and to take all necessary consequential steps/actions pertaining thereto.

(c) Alternatively direct further/fresh investigation by the DIG level officer of CBI into the aspects contained and highlighted by the petitioner in Annexure P/43.”

2. We heard Mr Mukul Rohatgi, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, Mr Ram Jethmalani learned Senior Counsel for Respondents 10 to 15, Mr Sidharth Luthra, Additional Solicitor General for CBI, Mr Kalyan Kr. Bandopadhyay, Senior Counsel for State of West Bengal and Mr K. Radhakrishna, learned Senior Counsel for the Union of India.

3. In order to appreciate the grievances of the petitioner and also to note the various features involved in the prosecution proceedings right from the date of occurrence, namely, 21-5-2010 till this date, it will be necessary to note down the various developments and incidents that were brought out by the petitioner, CBI, as well as, certain orders passed by the Sessions Court, Darjeeling and certain orders passed by the High Court of Calcutta. It will also enable this Court to find out whether the prayer of the petitioner deserves to be granted.

4. In the course of his submissions Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel took us through the manner in which the occurrence had taken place on 21-5-2010. According to the petitioner there was a deep-rooted rivalry as between the two political parties, namely, ABGL and GJMM for quite some time, that the deceased Madan Tamang who was attempting to spearhead his party with certain objectives wanted to gather the support of the people of Darjeeling and with that view he organised a meeting to be held in the heart of the town of Darjeeling on certain occasions prior to 21-5-2010 and finally irrespective of the alleged resistance on the side of GJMM he is stated to have scheduled the Founders Day meeting on 21-5-2010 in the morning hours at a venue called Club Side Road Stand, just below Planters Club, Darjeeling. It is further alleged that when the deceased Madan Tamang was at the venue in the morning of 21-5-2010 overseeing the preparations for the meeting by his partymen, a group of about 400 supporters of GJMM armed with khukries, patang, swords, sticks and firearms attacked him and brutally axed him to death with the aid of sharp weapons. It was also alleged that the said occurrence took place in the presence of police, security personnel, media persons and members of the general public. The occurrence was stated to have been widely captured by the lensmen, press as well as media which was also telecast very widely in the television network as well as through print media.

5. According to the petitioner, though the occurrence had taken place in a public place and there were several eyewitnesses to the incident and also various other clinching materials with the prosecution, there was a deliberate attempt on behalf of the prosecution to suppress the truth to enable the real culprits escape from the clutches of the police. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel brought to our notice a newspaper clipping in which the photograph of the deceased Madan Tamang was displayed in a seriously injured condition, who was assisted by one of his supporters, as well as, few policemen and submitted that the person who assisted the deceased Madan Tamang was not even examined and his statement was not recorded immediately in order to find out the real culprits.

6. Our attention was also drawn to the transcripts of official intercepts of phone conversations between the President and General Secretary of GJMM and their local cadres, just before and after the gruesome murder of Madan Tamang.

7. As far as the authenticity of the said transcripts is concerned, it was brought to our notice that in the counter-affidavit filed by CBI in Crl. MP No. 14236 of 2013 in Para 5(g) it was stated that CBI tried to collect the records of the telephonic conversation from West Bengal Police which was published in The Indian Express edition of 15-7-2010 and that, however, ultimately the hard disc used by the Intelligence Bureau of West Bengal for recording the telephonic conversation of intercepted numbers of different leaders/activists of GJMM was cloned and sent to Central Forensic Science Laboratory, New Delhi. Therefore, according to CBI, the authenticity of the alleged transcript is yet to be finally ascertained including the truthfulness of the so-called conversation between the President, the General Secretary and the local cadres of GJMM. It will have to be, however, noted that at the present stage, for the purpose of investigation, the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that the said transcription gives sufficient clues and enough material to carry out an effective investigation in order to identify the real culprits for bringing them to book and to effectively proceed with the case of the prosecution deserves consideration.

8. A cursory glance of the transcription, as published in The Indian Express edition of 15-7-2010, discloses that it related to the period between 20-5-2010, 9.02 p.m to 5.12 p.m of 21-5-2010. The whole conversation was between Accused 23, 13, 15, Respondent 10 and certain other persons all of whom appear to be the partymen of GJMM as disclosed in the charge-sheet filed by CBI. The conversation also related to the preparation made by the deceased Madan Tamang for holding his party's Foundation Day Celebration on 21-5-2010, the idea of the GJMM to somehow or other abort the preparation made by ABGL by its President Madan Tamang even at the cost of his elimination. The conversation continued in the early hours of 21-5-2010 till 10.54 a.m i.e the time when the killing of Madan Tamang had taken place at the place of occurrence. A vivid description as to the manner in which the occurrence took place was also talked about by the conversationists. We, however, wish to make it clear here and now that our reference to the said transcription and to some of the details contained should not be taken to mean that we had expressed any opinion either as to existence of the transcription or about the truthfulness or otherwise of the contents of the transcription. Prima facie, we want to make a note of the existence of the transcripts, inasmuch as, even the prosecution agency, namely, CBI does not dispute about its existence as well as its authenticity, though it awaits the outcome of the forensic report.

9. Our attention was also brought to the FIR lodged by the General Secretary of ABGL on 21-5-2010 which was registered by Sadar Police Station, Darjeeling at 6.30 p.m While narrating the occurrence the complainant referred to some of the identified assailants, namely, A-9, A-10, A-12, A-13, A-14 and A-15 and it was also alleged that Respondents 10 to 15 were continuously threatening Madan Tamang both in the press as well as in the public meetings and that such threats included that one day or the other he would be killed. It was, therefore, alleged that the attack at the venue of the meeting organised by ABGL and the brutal killing of the deceased Madan Tamang was conspired, planned and Respondent 10 was the mastermind along with Respondents 11 to 15. There was specific reference to A-9, A-10, A-12, A-13, A-14 and A-15 as well as Respondents 10 to 15 in the FIR registered by Sadar Police Station. Based on the said FIR, the State Police laid the charge-sheet under Section 173 by filing its final report for offences under Sections 147, 148, 149, 427, 506 and 302 read with Section 34 IPC. It was pointed out that there was no charge laid under Section 120-B IPC. As many as 30 persons were arrayed as accused in the said charge-sheet. The statement of second accused Prashant Chhetry was recorded under Section 161 CrPC, in which the narration of the occurrence was noted. The said statement implicated among other persons Respondents 10 to 15 as well.

10. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel in his submissions made it clear that he was not attempting to rely upon the said statement knowing fully well as to what extent the said statement under Section 161 can be used. But according to the learned Senior Counsel, the contents of the said statement would give enough scope for the investigating agency to unearth the truth and that in spite of such abundant information available, there was total sluggishness in the investigation process. In our opinion, to some extent, we do find considerable force in the said submission.

11. It was then brought to our notice that the final report filed by CBI wherein apart from the offences for which the accused were charged in the final report of the State Police, offence under Section 120-B was also added and in Annexure 5 to the final report the names of the accused persons numbering 30 and of whom those who were already arrested and those who were absconding and also one accused who was granted bail was disclosed. The said Annexure 5 discloses the accused who were arrested were Accused 1 to 7 and the absconding accused were A-8 to A-25 and A-27 to A-30. A-26 was stated to be on bail.

12. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel in his submissions further contended that the said position which remained static from May 2010 continued till notice was issued in this writ petition on 3-12-2012 WP (Cri) No. 159 of 2012 and that only thereafter there were some attempts made to nail the culprits. The learned Senior Counsel also brought to our notice the arrest memos in respect of Accused 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15 who were arrested on 15-2-2013 at 0505 hrs at a taxi stand of Darjeeling Railway Station. All the five accused were arrested at the same place and it was submitted by the learned Senior Counsel that the statement of the prosecution agency that the accused were absconding was far from truth, inasmuch as the very arrest at a taxi stand near a railway station disclose that they were freely roaming around in the city of Darjeeling, but yet no effort was taken by the police to arrest them between May 2010 to February 2013. According to the learned Senior Counsel because this Court ordered notice in this writ petition, the prosecution in order to make it appear as though some seriousness was bestowed in its actions, the arrests were made while 13 other accused surrendered after the notice was issued in this writ petition.

13. Here again, it will have to be stated that the said submission cannot be simply brushed aside when it comes to the question of testing the seriousness and truthfulness with which the investigating agency was proceeding while carrying out the investigation for detecting the crime and also for that purpose apprehending the accused in order to proceed with the case of the prosecution with all its earnest efforts. Even in that context it will have to be stated that the claim that so many of the accused were absconding and, therefore, the prosecution was disabled to proceed with its case effectively and its inability to apprehend the accused in spite of its best efforts appears to be not true and has to be looked at with grave suspicion. It will have to be stated that if five of the accused were available at 0505 hrs at the taxi stand of the Darjeeling Railway Station, it is hard to believe that those accused were really absconding and that police was unable to apprehend them earlier, though, they could have arrested them on 15-2-2013 whole hog in a place where all of them could be taken into custody without much effort. Similarly, the surrendering of 13 other persons closely after the arrest of the abovesaid five accused only shows that the claim of the police that those accused were really absconding was far from truth and cannot be believed.

14. The reasoning in the order dated 17-4-2013 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Darjeeling while dismissing the bail application also disclose that the accused were absconding for a long time while some other accused continued to abscond and, therefore, there was no scope for granting bail. When a reference was made to the bail granted by the High Court, the learned Sessions Judge noted that in that case the accused was in custody for more than 2 years while the present accused for whom the bail was moved were absconding for a long time and could be arrested only on 15-2-2013.

15. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel while referring to the said order of the learned Sessions Judge dated 17-4-2013, however, pointed out that just a month later i.e on 18-5-2013 that very learned Judge granted bail by noting that none appeared for CBI and that the accused concerned in the application were in custody for about 7 months. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel pointed out that when the arrest itself came to be made only on 15-2-2013 the statement found in the said order dated 18-5-2013 that the accused concerned were in custody for more than 7 months, was apparently a wrong statement.

16. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel also made a detailed reference to the counter-affidavit filed by CBI in the criminal miscellaneous petition. Having gone through the counter-affidavit filed by CBI it is relevant to cull out certain factors which have been tacitly admitted by CBI as regards the investigation process initiated by it for the first time, the development that had taken place thereafter and the present stage at which it stands in order to arrive at a just conclusion. In the counter-affidavit it is stated that the investigation is still in progress to unearth the criminal conspiracy, that 31 persons have been charge-sheeted against whom sufficient material have been collected while two of the accused, namely, Nicol Tamang and Dinesh Subba are yet to be arrested as they continued to abscond. According to CBI since those two accused played key role in the murder of the deceased Madan Tamang, only after their arrest, CBI will be able to make significant progress as regards the conspiracy though, however, the trial is being proceeded with awaiting their arrest. It is also stated that the person who was found present along with the deceased Madan Tamang immediately after his assault was also identified as one Karma Tamang who is also related to the deceased and that since he has shifted his abode to Nepal, that effort has been taken to record his statement under Section 161 CrPC, though the said person was apprehensive to make any statement to the police. As far as the intercepted telephonic conversations, CBI would state that unless its contents are authenticated by ascertaining the actual voice interceptions no conclusion can be drawn. It was, therefore, contended that as soon as the forensic report is received, CBI will be able to proceed further with its investigation effectively.

17. CBI fairly admitted that the accused persons are active supporters of GJMM and that due to the prevailing law and order situation in Darjeeling CBI is facing much difficulty since most of the charge-sheeted accused took shelter either in Nepal or Sikkim apart from the other hindrances such as the murder of one of its informer in November 2011, the killing of one of the absconding accused which disabled CBI in making good progress in the investigation. According to CBI, due to fear psychosis prevailing in the region, CBI is not able to get much support from the local public. CBI would, however, claim that it was because of its sustained efforts it was able to arrest five of the accused on 15-2-2013 and 13 of the absconding accused surrendered in June 2013. According to CBI, the moment two absconding accused, namely, Nicol Tamang and Dinesh Subba are apprehended, it will be able to unearth the conspiracy part with certain amount of certainty.

18. It was, however, submitted on behalf of CBI that in order to have an effective investigation and prosecution of the accused in a successful manner, it would be more appropriate to transfer the case from Darjeeling to Calcutta. CBI is stated to have moved the Calcutta High Court for transfer and, therefore, it has no objection to the case being transferred from Darjeeling to Calcutta. The stand of CBI also reveals that after the occurrence which took place on 21-5-2010 and after the FIR was registered, the case which was handled by the local police is stated to have been entrusted with CID Wing and that thereafter on 19-1-2011 CBI took over the investigation. Initially charge-sheet was filed by CID team on 30-8-2010 and after CBI took over the investigation a supplement charge-sheet was stated to have been filed on 20-8-2011, in which, the charge of conspiracy also came to be added apart from the other charges mentioned in the charge-sheet dated 30-8-2010.

19. As far as Respondents 10 to 15 are concerned, Mr Ram Jethmalani, learned Senior Counsel would contend that this case cannot be compared with the case in Zahira Habibulla H. Sheikh v. State of Gujarat (2004) 4 SCC 158 which was relied upon by the petitioner. According to him that case was due to a communal frenzy and it was a case of retaliation murder, in which 15 persons were burnt alive. He would contend that that case was an appeal against acquittal by both the courts below and the full record of the investigation and the evidence was before this Court in which a direction came to be issued for reinvestigation and, therefore, the said judgment cannot be a guiding factor.

20. As far as the present case was concerned, he would contend that this was a case in which the occurrence took place on 21-5-2010 and the resultant murder of the President of ABGL was due to political rivalry as between ABGL and GJMM and that on the fateful day when a huge crowd gathered, it was free for all and, therefore, it would be next to impossible to identify who were the perpetrators of the crime. The learned Senior Counsel contended that, therefore, the prayer of the petitioner to implicate Respondents 10 to 15 by directing the prosecution agency cannot be ordered.

21. The learned Senior Counsel contended that for that purpose the intercepted transcription of the telephonic conversation cannot be relied upon which would be hit by the provisions of the Telegraph Act, 1885, namely, Section 5 read along with Rule 419-A of the Telegraph Rules, 1951. According to the learned Senior Counsel, by virtue of the Constitution Bench decision of this Court in Pooran Mal v. Director of Inspection (Investigation) (1974) 1 SCC 345, in particular para 24, any such direction would be a constitutional violation and, therefore, the same should not be ordered. In any event, as regards the telephonic conversation the learned Senior Counsel would contend that it would be highly premature at this stage to conclude that such conversation really emanated as between Respondents 10 to 15 and some of the accused and on that basis proceed against Respondents 10 to 15.

22. The learned Senior Counsel contended that in the course of trial if the trial court is convinced of the involvement of any other person in the act of crime, the court has enormous powers under Section 319 CrPC and by invoking the said power the trial court can always implicate any other person as accused, but certainly in a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution such direction cannot be issued.

23. Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel while countering the submissions of Mr Ram Jethmalani learned Senior Counsel, contended that the petitioner does not pray to this Court to find anyone guilty nor even add anyone as accused. According to Mr Rohatgi, learned Senior Counsel, the petitioner is a widow, whose husband was done to death in broad daylight in the presence of witnesses, police personnel and other security persons, that since authenticated official transcription of interceptions are available there should have been proper investigation and the culprits must have been brought to book. He further contended that the very fact that the State Police and CID displayed their total disinclination to book the real culprits and hold proper investigation to unearth the truth, the case was handed over to CBI. Since for more than two years many of the accused were freely moving around the Darjeeling town, who were not apprehended and the real culprits were not brought to book even after the investigation was taken over by CBI, it became imminent for the petitioner to approach this Court.

24. The learned Senior Counsel contended that such indifferent attitude displayed by the State Police and now by CBI was demonstrably present in the light of glaring factors existing, namely, the snail pace in which the case is being prosecuted, the absconding of key accused and others for several years who were, however, roaming around in the city of Darjeeling and were not even arrested in spite of their notable presence in the town and who could be ultimately apprehended only after the writ petition was entertained by this Court. The learned counsel also referred to the rejection of their bail applications by the trial court once and within a short span of a month's time without CBI being represented in the Court the bail was being granted. The learned Senior Counsel further pointed out that CBI did not take any action for the cancellation of their bail which was, however, cancelled Criminal Misc. No. 8230 of 2013 at the initiative taken by the petitioner and that too by the High Court of Calcutta which calls for a serious consideration of this Court to issue appropriate directions.

25. The learned Senior Counsel would, therefore, contend that this Court should order for reinvestigation by keeping in abeyance the trial commenced already based on a tardy investigation by entrusting the whole case to a Special Investigation Team governed by the provisions of the special Act of the National Intelligence Agency or any other independent body. The learned Senior Counsel also contended that in the interest of justice and fair play, the case should be transferred to any other nearby State.

26. Having thus noted the various factual aspects in this writ petition relating to the murder of Mr Madan Tamang we also wish to refer to some of the decisions relied upon by the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr Ram Jethmalani learned Senior Counsel who appeared for Respondents 10 to 15. In Pooran Mal (1974) 1 SCC 345 which is a Constitution Bench judgment, reference has been made as to what extent reliance can be placed upon the intercepted conversation between the parties whose litigation was being tried by the court of law. The said decision was relied upon by Mr Ram Jethmalani learned Senior Counsel to contend that the intercepted materials relating to some of the accused and Respondents 10 to 15 cannot form the basis for claiming any relief in this writ petition. The learned counsel referred to the headnote at p. 348 wherein it is noted that:

“Where the test of admissibility of evidence lies in relevancy, unless there is an express or necessarily implied prohibition in the Constitution or other law evidence obtained as a result of illegal search or seizure is not liable to be shut out.”

The learned Senior Counsel while referring to the above passage in the said judgment also made reference to Section 5 of the Telegraph Act, 1885 as well as Rule 419-A of the Telegraph Rules, 1951.

27. By referring to Section 5 of the said Act the learned Senior Counsel contended that Section 5(2) puts an embargo on disclosure of such transcription except under certain exigencies and that under Rule 419-A which was referable to Section 5(2) of the said Act the interception of any message can be disclosed only based on an order made by the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs or by the Secretary to the State Government In-charge of the Home Department and merely based on the intercepted materials published in a newspaper whose authenticity is greatly doubtful, no reliance can be placed upon the same by the petitioner in order to support her claim in this writ petition. By referring to the above statutory prescriptions the learned Senior Counsel contended that going by the Constitution Bench decision in Pooran Mal (1974) 1 SCC 345 it should be held that the interceptions heavily relied upon by the petitioner to rope in Respondents 10 to 15 cannot be countenanced.

28. Though at first blush the submission of the learned Senior Counsel appears to be a formidable one, on a detailed reading of para 24 of the said judgment, we find that the legal position is the other way about. In para 24, the Constitution Bench of this Court, after making a detailed reference to earlier decisions, namely, Barindra Kumar Ghosh v. Emperor ILR (1910) 37 Cal 467, Emperor v. Allahdad Khan ILR (1913) 35 All 358, Kuruma v. R. 1955 AC 197, (1955) 2 WLR 223, (1955) 1 All ER 236 (PC), Herman King v. R. (1969) 1 AC 304, (1968) 3 WLR 391, (1968) 2 All ER 610 (PC), stated the legal position as under in the last part of para 24: (Pooran Mal case (1974) 1 SCC 345)

“24

. … In other words search and seizure for the purposes of preventing or detecting crime reasonably enforced was not inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee against search and seizure. It was held in that case that the search of the appellant by a police officer was not justified by the warrant nor was it open to the officer to search the person of the appellant without taking him before a justice of the peace. Nevertheless it was held that the Court had a discretion to admit the evidence obtained as a result of the illegal search and the constitutional protection against search of person or property without consent did not take away the discretion of the Court. Following Kuruma v. R. 1955 AC 197, (1955) 2 WLR 223, (1955) 1 All ER 236 (PC) the Court held that it was open to the Court not to admit the evidence against the accused if the Court was of the view that the evidence had been obtained by conduct of which the prosecution ought not to take advantage. But that was not a rule of evidence but a rule of prudence and fair play. It would thus be seen that in India, as in England, where the test of admissibility of evidence lies in relevancy, unless there is an express or necessarily implied prohibition in the Constitution or other law evidence obtained as a result of illegal search or seizure is not liable to be shut out.”

A close reading of the above passage in Pooran Mal case (1974) 1 SCC 345 discloses that barring an express or implied prohibition in the Constitution or other law, evidence obtained as a result of illegal search or seizure is not liable to be shut out. In other words, what has been emphasised by the Constitution Bench is that the test of admissibility of evidence lies in relevancy and unless there is an express or necessarily implied prohibition in the Constitution or other law, evidence obtained as a result of illegal search or seizure is not liable to be shut out. Apparently and justifiably the said legal position as propounded always have universal application, as in order to dispense justice and ensure that the real culprits are brought to book, the investigating agency should make every endeavour to unearth the truth by scrutinising and gathering every minute details and materials and place it before the adjudicative machinery concerned in order to enable the court examining the guilt or otherwise of an accused to reach a just conclusion.

29. When we consider the submission of the learned Senior Counsel, we find that neither Section 5 of the Telegraph Act nor Rule 419-A of the Telegraph Rules can have any application at the present juncture. There is also no Constitutional embargo to be considered at this stage where CBI has taken steps to ascertain the truthfulness or otherwise or the reliability of the intercepted conversation has only been forwarded to the forensic laboratory and the report is awaited.

30. We are not, therefore, impressed by the submission of Mr Ram Jethmalani learned Senior Counsel in contending that no reliance can be placed upon the intercepted materials as that would amount to violation of a constitutional right of the individuals concerned. We find that in the present case the investigation has not yet been fully concluded since even according to CBI the intercepted materials have been forwarded to the forensic laboratories for ascertaining its authenticity and correctness of the alleged conversation between certain persons and therefore, it cannot even be held at this stage that reference to such interception is totally prohibited while examining the grievances of the petitioner in this writ petition. As far as the proposition of law declared in the said decision in Pooran Mal case (1974) 1 SCC 345 is concerned there can be no two opinions about the said position. But in the case in hand since even according to CBI, the intercepted material has been referred to forensic laboratory for its report there will be time enough for the accused to work out their remedy before the trial court by challenging the correctness or otherwise of the report of the forensic laboratory. We, therefore, do not find any scope to non suit the petitioner on that ground.

31. Reliance was placed upon the Constitution Bench decision of this Court in S.P Gupta v. Union of India 1981 Supp SCC 87 wherein, in para 24, this Court cautioned that the Court should be careful to see that the member of the public, who approaches the Court by way of a public interest litigation act bona fide and not for personal gain or private profit or political motivation or other oblique consideration. Mr Ram Jethmalani learned Senior Counsel appearing for Respondents 10 to 15 contended that the petitioner who has now become the leader of ABGL after the demise of her husband has come forward with the writ petition to march a political gain and, therefore, none of her grievances expressed in the writ petition should be countenanced. By applying the above principle, set out by the Constitution Bench, we are not in a position to appreciate the said submission, inasmuch as, we find that dehors the political rivalry between ABGL and GJMM the grievances expressed in the writ petition is out and out related to various discrepancies and slackness in the course of investigation of a murder case, which of course related to the husband of the petitioner and the grievances cannot be held to be purely personal based on any political vendetta. Therefore, the reliance placed upon the said decision also does not support the stand of Respondents 10 to 15. It will have to be further stated that the present writ petition is not by way of public interest litigation and the prayer of the petitioner is not to redress any public grievance but grievances relating to the death of a person who is none other than the husband of the petitioner in broad daylight whose murder case is yet to reach to its finality due to the alleged discrepancies in the process of investigation. For the very same reasons we do not find any support in the decision in Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ (8) v. Union of India (2006) 6 SCC 613.

32. As far as the reliance placed upon the decision in Bholu Ram v. State of Punjab (2008) 9 SCC 140, wherein in para 28, this Court has referred to the ultimate conclusion set out in para 6 of Joginder Singh v. State of Punjab (1979) 1 SCC 345. In Joginder Singh (1979) 1 SCC 345 the position relating to Section 319(1) CrPC has been clearly set out which empowers all the courts including the Sessions Court to add any person, not being the accused before it, but against whom there appears, during trial, sufficient evidence indicating his involvement in the offence, as an accused and direct him to be tried along with the other accused. As far as the proposition of law declared, there can be no two opinions. The contention of Mr Ram Jethmalani, learned Senior Counsel is that in the light of the said power available with the trial court there is no necessity for issuing any direction in this writ petition for including Respondents 10 to 15 also as accused to be tried in the pending sessions case. While endorsing the legal position stated in the decision relied upon, we only state that since the petitioner is not seeking for including Respondents 10 to 15 as accused, we do not find any scope to apply the said principle to the facts of this case inasmuch as, it is for the investigating agency to determine based on the evidence already gathered and to be gathered, as to whether or not any one, much less Respondents 10 to 15, should also be arrayed as accused.

33. We also wish to refer to some of the decisions relied upon by Mr Rohatgi learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner as to how far the grievances of the petitioner can be redressed in this proceedings. In the famous decision of Zahira Habibulla H. Sheikh (2004) 4 SCC 158, this Court has expressed its strong view as to the necessity of courts to be alive to the situations where genuine grievances were brought to its notice for redressal. Paras 54 and 56 are relevant for our purpose and the relevant portions therein read as under:

“54. … When an ordinary citizen makes a grievance against the mighty administration, any indifference, inaction or lethargy shown in protecting his right guaranteed in law will tend to paralyse by such inaction or lethargic action of courts and erode in stages the faith inbuilt in the judicial system ultimately destroying the very justice delivery system of the country itself. Doing justice is the paramount consideration and that duty cannot be abdicated or diluted and diverted by manipulative red herrings.

***

56. … ‘The law should not be seen to sit by limply, while those who defy it go free, and those who seek its protection lose hope.’

Courts have to ensure that accused persons are punished and that the might or authority of the State are not used to shield themselves or their men. It should be ensured that they do not wield such powers which under the Constitution has to be held only in trust for the public and society at large. If deficiency in investigation or prosecution is visible or can be perceived by lifting the veil trying to hide the realities or covering the obvious deficiencies, courts have to deal with the same with an iron hand appropriately within the framework of law. It is as much the duty of the prosecutor as of the court to ensure that full and material facts are brought on record so that there might not be miscarriage of justice.”

(emphasis supplied)

The above principles make the position clear to the effect that in the administration of justice, lethargic action of courts may result in failure of justice and, therefore, when deficiency in investigation or prosecution is visible or can be perceived by lifting the veil that thereby tried to hide the realities, the court should deal with the same with the iron hand appropriately within the framework of law.

34. In the decision of NHRC v. State of Gujarat (2009) 6 SCC 767, in para 40, this Court issued directions in order to ensure that the criminal prosecution which was entrusted with Special Investigation Team is not hampered by any other intruders including the State Government and ensure that the real culprits are brought to book.

35. In the decision of Babubhai Jamnadas Patel v. State of Gujarat (2009) 9 SCC 610, this Court has highlighted the powers of the High Court as well as this Court in monitoring the criminal investigation. The relevant part of the decision can be found out in paras 40, 44, 49 and 50 which are as under:

“40. The area of dispute ultimately narrows down to the question as to whether the courts can monitor investigations in respect of offences alleged to have been committed when the investigation had already been commenced by the investigating agency.

***

44. In cases where it has been brought to the notice of the courts that investigation into an offence was not being carried on in the manner in which it should have been carried on, directions have been given by the courts to the investigating agencies to conduct the investigation according to certain guidelines, as otherwise the very purpose of the investigation could become fruitless. The decisions cited by Mr Nariman do not militate against the concept of the Court's power, where necessary, to direct the authorities to conduct themselves in a particular way.

***

49. The various decisions cited by Mr Dave endorse the view that when required not only could the High Court or this Court direct the investigating agencies to conduct the investigation in a fair and unbiased manner, but that in exercise of its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court could also issue directions for enforcement of fundamental rights and to ensure that complete justice was done to the parties.

50. In fact, in Kashmeri Devi case 1988 Supp SCC 482 this Court had directed the Magistrate to exercise powers under Section 173(8) CrPC to direct CBI to make a proper and thorough investigation in an independent and objective manner and to submit an additional charge-sheet, if circumstances so required, in accordance with law.”

(emphasis supplied)

36. Again, in the subsequent decision in Rubabbuddin Sheikh v. State of Gujarat (2010) 2 SCC 200, this Court has highlighted as to how under certain circumstances the investigation can be entrusted with independent agencies like CBI and also monitor the further progress of the case after the final report is filed by CBI. The relevant paras are 60 and 82 which are as under:( & 221)

“60. Therefore, in view of our discussions made hereinabove, it is difficult to accept the contentions of Mr Rohatgi, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the State of Gujarat that after the charge-sheet is submitted in the court in the criminal proceeding it was not open for this Court or even for the High Court to direct investigation of the case to be handed over to CBI or to any independent agency. Therefore, it can safely be concluded that in an appropriate case when the court feels that the investigation by the police authorities is not in the proper direction and in order to do complete justice in the case and as the high police officials are involved in the said crime, it was always open to the court to hand over the investigation to the independent agency like CBI. It cannot be said that after the charge-sheet is submitted, the court is not empowered, in an appropriate case, to hand over the investigation to an independent agency like CBI.

***

82. … The report of CBI Authorities shall be filed in this Court when this Court will pass further necessary orders in accordance with the said report, if necessary. We expect that the Police Authorities of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan shall cooperate with CBI Authorities in conducting the investigation properly and in an appropriate manner.”

(emphasis supplied)

37. In the decision of Babubhai v. State of Gujarat (2010) 12 SCC 254, in para 40, this Court held that the scheme of investigation particularly Section 173(8) CrPC provides for further investigation and not of reinvestigation but held in para 42 as under:

“42. Thus, it is evident that in exceptional circumstances, the court in order to prevent the miscarriage of criminal justice, if considers necessary, may direct for investigation de novo wherein the case presents exceptional circumstances.”

(emphasis supplied)

38. Therefore, at times of need where this Court finds that an extraordinary or exceptional circumstance arise and the necessity for reinvestigation would be imperative in such extraordinary cases even de novo investigation can be ordered.

39. In the 2G Spectrum case in Centre for Public Interest Litigation v. Union of India (2011) 1 SCC 560, this Court gave extensive directions in para 19 and also directed CBI to produce the progress report before this Court.

40. In the decision of Ram Jethmalani v. Union of India (2011) 8 SCC 1 (to which one of us S.S Nijjar, J. was a party) considering the nature of grievances expressed by the writ petitioner, constituted a high-level committee as a Special Investigation Team in order to ensure that an effective investigation is carried out and the culprits were brought to book.

41. From the various decisions relied upon by the petitioner counsel as well as by respondents' counsel, the following principles can be culled out.

41.1 The test of admissibility of evidence lies in its relevancy.

41.2 Unless there is an express or implied constitutional prohibition or other law, evidence placed as a result of even an illegal search or seizure is not liable to be shut out.

41.3 If deficiency in investigation or prosecution is visible or can be perceived by lifting the veil which try to hide the realities or covering the obvious deficiency, Courts have to deal with the same with an iron hand appropriately within the framework of law.

41.4 It is as much the duty of the prosecutor as of the Court to ensure that full and material facts are brought on record so that there might not be miscarriage of justice.

41.5 In order to ensure that the criminal prosecution is carried on without any deficiency, in appropriate cases this Court can even constitute Special Investigation Team and also give appropriate directions to the Central and State Governments and other authorities to give all required assistance to such specially constituted investigating team in order to book the real culprits and for effective conduct of the prosecution.

41.6 While entrusting the criminal prosecution with other instrumentalities of State or by constituting a Special Investigation Team, the High Court or this Court can also monitor such investigation in order to ensure proper conduct of the prosecution.

41.7 In appropriate cases even if the charge-sheet is filed it is open for this Court or even for the High Court to direct investigation of the case to be handed over to CBI or to any other independent agency in order to do complete justice.

41.8 In exceptional circumstances the Court in order to prevent miscarriage of criminal justice and if considers necessary may direct for investigation de novo.

42. Keeping the above well-settled principles in mind when we examine the facts placed before us, we find that the following situations are/were prevalent till the present writ petition came to be filed in this Court in December 2012 relating to the murder of Mr Madan Tamang which occurred on 21-5-2010 under the gaze of general public, police and security personnel:

42.1 The occurrence took place at around 10 a.m in the morning and that too in the heart of the town of Darjeeling.

42.2 The deceased Madan Tamang at the time of his assassination was the President of the political party called “Akhil Bhartiya Gorkha League” (in short “ABGL”) and there was a deep-rooted rivalry as between the said party and the other party called “Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha” known as “GJMM”.

42.3 On the fateful day of the murder of Madan Tamang, he had organised the founder's day of his party ABGL and he was busily engaged in the preparation of the said meeting at the place where he was slain.

42.4 Though it was not in dispute that police personnel were present at the place of occurrence, no report about the incident came to be registered and that the complaint came to be registered at the instance of the General Secretary of ABGL by around 6.30 p.m of the same date.

42.5 The occurrence was vividly captured by the media and other network apart from wide coverage given by the print media.

42.6 Dehors the reliability or otherwise of the transcripts of the intercepted conversation of some of the accused and the office bearers of GJMM, the availability of such transcripts is not in dispute.

42.7 It is the case of CBI itself that the transcripts of the intercepts have been secured by it and that has been forwarded to the forensic laboratory and the report is awaited.

42.8 The content of the transcripts which was initially published in The Indian Express edition of 15-7-2010 allegedly reveals that it related to the period between 9.02 p.m of 20-5-2010 to 5.12 p.m of 21-5-2010.

42.9 It is the further claim of the prosecution and the petitioner that the whole conversation was between Accused 23, 13, 15 and Respondent 10 as well as certain other persons all of whom are the party men of GJMM.

42.10 The intercepted transcript allegedly disclose that there was conversation between the persons about the manner in which the occurrence took place when the killing of Mr Madan Tamang took place around 10 a.m

42.11 In the complaint lodged by the General Secretary of ABGL on 21-5-2010 at 6.30 p.m the complainant referred to the identified assailants, namely, A-9, A-10, A-12, A-13, A-14 and A-15 apart from alleging that Respondents 10 to 15 were continuously threatening Mr Madan Tamang both in the press as well as in the public meeting.

42.12 In the complaint it was further alleged that in such threats it was specifically averred that one day or the other Madan Tamang would be killed and that therefore the attack at the venue of the meeting of ABGL was preplanned and the tenth respondent was the mastermind along with Respondents 11 to 15.

42.13 In the FIR apart from making specific reference to A-9, A-10, A-12, A-13, A-14 and A-15 there is also reference to Respondents 10 to 15.

42.14 In the final report filed by the State Police the offences were under Sections 147, 148, 149, 427, 506 and 302 read with Section 34 IPC. Significantly there was no charge laid under Section 120-B IPC in the charge-sheet.

42.15 The statement of the second accused, Prashant Chhetry under Section 161 CrPC was recorded wherein there is reference to the occurrence and also the implication of Respondents 10 to 15.

42.16 The investigation which was initially carried out by the State Police was subsequently entrusted with its own CID Wing and that thereafter CBI took over the investigation on 19-1-2011.

42.17 In the final report filed by CBI apart from other offences the accused were also charged for the offence under Section 120-B and in Annexure 5 to the final report of CBI, 30 persons were arrayed as accused which consisted of persons who were already arrested and those who were absconding. At that stage only one accused was enlarged on bail.

42.18 While Accused 1 to 7 were arrested and Accused 26 was granted bail, the rest of the accused, namely, A-8 to A-25 and A-27 to A-30 were stated to be absconding right from day one.

42.19 The status about the arrest of some of the accused and many of the absconding accused was prevailing from May 2010 till this writ petition was entertained on 3-12-2012.

42.20 After notice was issued in this writ petition, 5 of the accused were arrested at 5.05 a.m on 15-2-2013 at a taxi stand of Darjeeling Railway Station.

42.21 It was also stated that apart from the arrest of 5 accused, 13 other accused surrendered after the issuance of the notice in this writ petition.

42.22 The order dated 17-4-2013 of the Sessions Judge, Darjeeling dismissing the bail application disclose that the accused were absconding for a long time and, therefore, bail could not be granted at that stage.

42.23 The learned Sessions Judge also noted that the grant of bail by the High Court in respect of one of the accused was due to the fact that he was in custody for more than 2 years, while the accused for whom the bail was moved before him was absconding for a long time and came to be arrested only on 15-2-2013.

42.24 In the subsequent order dated 18-5-2013 the learned Sessions Judge while granting bail stigmatically noted that none appeared for CBI and that the accused concerned in the bail application were in custody for about 7 months, which does not reflect the correct facts, since the arrest itself came to be made on 15-2-2013 on the date when order was passed on 18-5-2013 it cannot be said that he was in custody for more than 7 months.

42.25 While after CBI took over investigation, 31 persons have been charge-sheeted two of the prime accused, namely, Nicol Tamang and Dinesh Subba are still absconding while one of the accused is dead.

42.26 It is also on record that against the grant of bail by the learned Sessions Judge on 18-5-2013, no steps were taken by CBI for its cancellation, while effort was made by the petitioner for the cancellation of bail by moving the High Court. It is also on record that the High Court having noted certain discrepancies in the grant of bail by the learned Sessions Judge ordered for its cancellation against which the accused concerned moved this Court by way of Special Leave Petitions (Crl.) Nos. 6831-32 of 2013 in which order was passed by this Court on 2-9-2013 SLPs (Cri) Nos. 6831-32 of 2013.

42.27 The person who was holding the deceased Madan Tamang at the time when he was assaulted and was in a seriously injured condition was identified as one Karma Tamang who was found to be living in Nepal and his statement was recorded after CBI took over the investigation.

42.28 According to CBI the accused persons are all active supporters of GJMM and due to the prevailing law and order situation in Darjeeling CBI is facing much difficulty since most of the charge-sheeted accused take shelter either in Nepal or Sikkim apart from other hindrances such as the murder of one of its informer in November 2011 and the killing of one of the absconding accused.

42.29 According to CBI there is fear psychosis prevailing in Darjeeling and, therefore, there are great hurdles in CBI proceeding with the process of investigation in the usual pace.

42.30 Though on behalf of the petitioner it was contended that the investigation should be entrusted with the NIA or any other Special Investigating Team it was submitted before us by the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner that the investigation can be continued by CBI itself and that for a fair trial the case can be transferred if not to any place outside the State of West Bengal at least to Calcutta.

42.31 Though two of the accused are yet to be apprehended by CBI the trial stated to have commenced in the Darjeeling Court has now been stayed by the orders of this Court.

43. Having noted the above features in the case of the prosecution and considering the grievances expressed by the petitioner in the writ petition, the prayer of the writ petitioner is four-fold. The petitioner seeks for the issuance of certiorarified mandamus to quash Charge-sheet No. 76 of 2010 dated 30-8-2010 by CID, Homicide Squad, West Bengal along with Supplementary Charge-sheet No. 04 (03) dated 20-8-2011 by CBI in GR Case No. 148 of 2010; for the issuance of a mandamus for appointing an independent Special Investigation Team comprising of senior officials headed by a competent person or authority of impeccable credentials to conduct the investigation de novo into the conspiracy and gruesome murder of the deceased Madan Tamang on 21-5-2010 and alternatively direct for further/fresh investigation by an officer of the level of DIG of CBI or for direction to entrust the investigation to the National Investigation Agency.

44. Having noted the various relevant features, we find force in the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the proceeding of the case by the prosecution either by the State Police or by CID and after it was taken over by CBI was not carried out in a satisfactory manner. The very fact that after the occurrence took place on 21-5-2001 there was serious lapse in apprehending many of the accused and the absconding of the prime accused Nicol Tamang and Dinesh Subba till this date disclose that there was total lack of seriousness by the prosecution agency in carrying out the investigation. The circumstances pointed out on behalf of the petitioner, namely, the absconding of many of the accused between May 2010 and February 2013 was a very relevant circumstance which gives room for suspicion in the mind of this Court as to the genuineness with which the case of the prosecution was being carried out. The submission that the murder took place due to political rivalry cannot be a ground for anyone, much less, the investigation agency to display any slackness or lethargic attitude in the process of investigation. Whether it be due to political rivalry or personal vengeance or for that matter for any other motive a murder takes place, it is the responsibility of the police to come up to the expectation of the public at large and display that no stone will remain unturned to book the culprits and bring them for trial for being dealt with under the provisions of the criminal law of prosecution. Any slackness displayed in that process will not be in the interest of public at large and therefore as has been pointed out by this Court in the various decisions, which we have referred to in the earlier paragraphs, we find that it is our responsibility to ensure that the prosecution agency is reminded of its responsibility and duties in the discharge of its functions effectively and efficiently and ensure that the criminal prosecution is carried on effectively and the perpetrators of crime are duly punished by the appropriate court of law.

45. Inasmuch as the petitioner only seeks for handling of the case of murder of her deceased husband by the prosecuting agency, namely, CBI here with utmost earnestness against all the accused who were involved in the crime, we feel that by issuing appropriate directions in this writ petition and by monitoring the same the grievances expressed by the petitioner can be duly redressed and the interest of the public at large can be duly safeguarded.

46. In that view we issue the following directions:

46.1 The pending Sessions case on the file of Sessions Judge, Darjeeling shall be transferred to the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Calcutta Civil and Sessions Court. Such transfer shall be effected by the Sessions Court, Darjeeling to the file of the Principal Judge of the Calcutta Civil Court along with all the records and material objects within two weeks from the date of production of the copy of this order.

46.2 On such transfer of records being made by the Sessions Judge, Darjeeling and receipt of the same along with the material objects, the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Calcutta Civil and Sessions Court shall forthwith commence the proceedings by ensuring the presence of all concerned both accused as well as the prosecution agency.

46.3 The investigation shall continue to be carried out by CBI but shall be monitored closely by Mr Rajiv Singh, Joint Director, CBI.

46.4 The investigation by CBI shall ensure that all required evidence are gathered by proceeding to make further investigation in order to ensure that no stone is left unturned in proceeding with the case of the prosecution and all accused involved in the offence are brought before court for being dealt with in accordance with law.

46.5 The trial which was commenced in the absence of the arrest of the remaining accused shall not be proceeded with until CBI concludes its further investigation and submit its comprehensive report before the transferred court, namely, the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Calcutta Civil and Sessions Court and such comprehensive report shall be filed expeditiously preferably within three months from the date of pronouncement of this order.

46.6 The Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Calcutta Civil and Sessions Court shall commence the trial after the comprehensive final report is filed by CBI and all the accused concerned are brought before court for the trial.

46.7 Simultaneously CBI shall file a copy of its comprehensive report before this Court in this writ petition for passing further directions if any required.

46.8 The Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Calcutta Civil and Sessions Court will also be at liberty to approach this Court and seek for appropriate directions in order to ensure that the directions issued by this Court are duly complied with.

46.9 It is needless to state that to enable CBI, the prosecuting agency and the trial court to effectively comply with our directions, the State Government, Departments of the Central Government and all other agencies whose assistance is required by CBI or the court shall render the required support without giving room for any delay being caused in proceeding with the trial.

47. This order is, therefore, passed for the present. The writ petition is kept pending for passing necessary orders if and when required in future. A copy of this order shall be forwarded to the Sessions Judge, Darjeeling, the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Calcutta Civil and Sessions Court and also to the High Court of Calcutta.