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The Supreme Court of India heard an appeal regarding the revision petition filed by the appellant against the order of the High Court of Jharkhand. The High Court had allowed the revision petition filed by the accused under Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice Act against the order passed by the Juvenile Justice Board. The Supreme Court held that the orders of both the High Court and the Juvenile Justice Board were unsustainable. It observed that as per Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice Act, the High Court cannot pass an adverse order without giving the affected person a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The High Court had failed to issue any notice to the appellant before passing its order, which violated the principles of natural justice.
The Supreme Court of India heard an appeal regarding the revision petition filed by the appellant against the order of the High Court of Jharkhand. The High Court had allowed the revision petition filed by the accused under Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice Act against the order passed by the Juvenile Justice Board. The Supreme Court held that the orders of both the High Court and the Juvenile Justice Board were unsustainable. It observed that as per Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice Act, the High Court cannot pass an adverse order without giving the affected person a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The High Court had failed to issue any notice to the appellant before passing its order, which violated the principles of natural justice.
The Supreme Court of India heard an appeal regarding the revision petition filed by the appellant against the order of the High Court of Jharkhand. The High Court had allowed the revision petition filed by the accused under Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice Act against the order passed by the Juvenile Justice Board. The Supreme Court held that the orders of both the High Court and the Juvenile Justice Board were unsustainable. It observed that as per Section 63 of the Juvenile Justice Act, the High Court cannot pass an adverse order without giving the affected person a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The High Court had failed to issue any notice to the appellant before passing its order, which violated the principles of natural justice.
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1572 2008 (Arising out of S.L.P. (Crimina! No."#$% of $%%&! BABLOO PASI APPELLANT VERSUS STATE OF JHARKHAND & ANR. RESPONDENTS J U D G M E N T D.K. JAIN, J.: L'a(' grant'). 2. T*is a++'a, -. s+'/ia 'a(', is )ir'/t') against t*' 0u)gm'nt an) or)'r )at') $" st D'/'m-'r, $%%# r'n)'r') -. t*' Hig* Court of J*ar1*an) at Ran/*i in Crimina R'(ision No. 23# of $%%#. 4. t*' im+ugn') or)'r, t*' Hig* Court *as ao5') t*' r'(ision +'tition +r'f'rr') -. t*' a//us') un)'r S'/tion 63 of t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n! A/t, 1 $%%% (for s*ort 7t*' A/t8! against t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar), Dum1a (*'r'inaft'r r'f'rr') to as 7t*' 4oar)8!. T*' 'arn') Sing' Ju)g' *as *') t*at on t*' )at' of /ommission of t*' a'g') off'n/'s, t*' a//us') 5as a 90u('ni': 5it*in t*' m'aning of t*' A/t. 3. Ra0's* Ma*at*a, t*' a//us') an) r's+on)'nt No.$ in t*is a++'a, 5as a++r'*'n)') for *a(ing /ommitt') off'n/'s un)'r S'/tions 3%;4 an) 3%# of t*' In)ian P'na Co)', "2#% (for s*ort 7I.P.C.8!, in r'ation to t*' )'at* of *is 5if', on t*' -asis of t*' stat'm'nt ma)' to t*' +oi/' -. t*' -rot*'r of t*' )'/'as'), t*' a++'ant *'r'in. It a++'ars t*at 5*'n t*' a//us') 5as +ro)u/') -'for' t*' C*i'f Ju)i/ia Magistrat', D'og*ar, *' /aim') *ims'f to -' a 90u('ni': as *a(ing not attain') t*' ag' of 'ig*t''n .'ars an), t*'r'for', 'ntit') to t*' +rot'/tion an) +ri(i'g's un)'r t*' A/t. A//or)ing., *' 5as s'nt to t*' C*i) R'*a-iitation C'ntr', Dum1a. Sin/' t*' /aim of t*' a//us') 5as )is+ut') on -'*af of t*' +ros'/ution, on 2 t* F'-ruar., $%%#, t*' C*i'f Ju)i/ia Magistrat' )ir'/t') t*' a//us') to +ro)u/' '(i)'n/'</'rtifi/at' in su++ort of *is /aim, 5*i/* *' fai') to )o. It s''ms 2 t*at 5it*out r'/or)ing an. o+inion 5*'t*'r t*' a//us') 5as a Ju('ni' or not, t*' Magistrat' r'f'rr') *im to t*' 4oar). Sin/' t*' a//us') fai') to +ro)u/' an. '(i)'n/' r'gar)ing *is ag', t*' 4oar) r'f'rr') *im to a M')i/a 4oar) for '=amination an) )'t'rmination of *is ag'. Ta1ing into /onsi)'ration, t*' )o/um'ntar. '(i)'n/' a))u/') -. t*' +ros'/ution an) o-s'r(ing *is +*.si/a -uit u+, t*' 4oar) /on/u)') t*at t*' a//us') 5as a-o(' 'ig*t''n .'ars of ag' on t*' )at' of o//urr'n/'> 5as not a 0u('ni' an), t*'r'for', 5as not r'?uir') to -' )'at 5it* un)'r t*' A/t. A//or)ing., t*' C*i) R'*a-iitation C'ntr', Dum1a 5as )ir'/t') to transf'r t*' a//us') to t*' r'guar 0ai 5it* a )ir'/tion to its Su+'rint'n)'nt to +ro)u/' t*' a//us') -'for' t*' Court of C*i'f Ju)i/ia Magistrat'. T*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' 4oar) 5as /*a'ng') -. t*' a//us') in t*' Hig* Court. T*' Hig* Court 5as of t*' (i'5 t*at t*' 4oar) *a) ignor') t*' o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar) o-tain') in t'rms of Ru' $$(6!(i(! of t*' J*ar1*an) Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n! Ru's, $%%3 (for s*ort 7t*' Ru's8!, 5*'r'in t*' ag' of t*' a//us') 5as s*o5n as "&@"2 .'ars. T*us, '='r/ising its r'(isiona 0uris)i/tion, t*' Hig* Court ao5') t*' r'(ision +'tition> ?uas*') t*' or)'r of t*' 4oar) an) 3 *') t*at at t*' r''(ant tim' t*' a//us') 5as a 0u('ni'. T*' -rot*'r of t*' (i/tim *as +r'f'rr') t*is a++'a -. s+'/ia 'a('. 4. A' *a(' *'ar) 'arn') /ouns' for t*' +arti's. 5. L'arn') /ouns' a++'aring for t*' a++'ant su-mitt') t*at t*' or)'r of t*' Hig* Court *a(ing -''n +ass') 5it*out noti/' to t*' a++'ant, 5*o 5as a)mitt'). a +art. in t*' r'(ision +'tition, is (ioati(' of t*' +rin/i+'s of natura 0usti/' as aso t*' statutor. +ro(isions, is i'ga an) )'s'r('s to -' s't asi)' on t*is s*ort groun) aon'. In su++ort of t*' +ro+osition t*at an a)('rs' or)'r /annot -' +ass') 5it*out *'aring t*' +art. /on/'rn'), r'ian/' 5as +a/') on a )'/ision of t*is Court in P. Sundarrajan & Ors. Vs. R. Vidhya Sekar 1 . On m'rits, it 5as /ont'n)') t*at t*' Hig* Court *as fai') to /onsi)'r in its /orr'/t +'rs+'/ti(' t*' s/o+' of Ru' $$ (6!. A//or)ing to t*' 'arn') /ouns', t*' m')i/a o+inion o-tain') un)'r t*' sai) ru' is on. a gui)ing fa/tor an) not t*' so' /rit'rion for )'t'rmination of ag' an), t*'r'for', -'for' r'turning an. fin)ing on t*' ag' of t*' a//us'), t*' Hig* Court /ou) not ignor' ot*'r 1 (2004) 13 SCC 472 4 r''(ant fa/tors an) t*' '(i)'n/' on r'/or). It 5as aso +'a)') t*at t*' s/o+' of t*' r'(isiona 0uris)i/tion -'ing imit'), 5it*out +ointing out an. mat'ria irr'guarit. /ommitt') -. t*' 4oar), t*' Hig* /ourt 'rr') in int'rf'ring 5it* a 5' r'ason') or)'r +ass') -. t*' 4oar), mor' so 5*'n t*' a//us') /*os' not to a(ai of r'm'). a(aia-' to *im -. 5a. of an a++'a un)'r S'/tion 6$ of t*' A/t, 5*'r'un)'r t*' 0uris)i/tion of t*' Hig* Court is mu/* 5i)'r. In su++ort of t*' /ont'ntion t*at t*' +o5'rs of t*' r'(isiona /ourt ar' imit') an) s*ou) -' '='r/is') s+aring. an) /autious., r'ian/' 5as +a/') on t*' )'/isions of t*is /ourt in Krishnan & Anr. Vs. Krishnaveni & Anr. 2 , State of aharashtra & Anr. Vs. !a"#ohan Sin"h Ku$di% Sin"h Anand & Ors. & . R'f'r'n/' 5as aso ma)' to State of A.P. Vs. . Poshetty ' , 5*'r'in t*is Court *a) a)('rs'. /omm'nt') on Hig* Court8s int'rf'r'n/' 5it* t*' /on/urr'nt fin)ings of fa/t, 'nt'r') -. t*' tria /ourt, in '='r/is' of r'(isiona +o5'rs, 5it*out r'/or)ing an. r'asons. It 5as, t*us, argu') t*at t*' Hig* Court '=/'')') its +o5'rs of r'(isionar. 0uris)i/tion. 2 (1997) 4 SCC 241 3 (2004) 7 SCC !9 4 (2001) 10 SCC 29 5 6.L'arn') /ouns' a++'aring on -'*af of t*' a//us') 5*i' str'nuous. su++orting t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' Hig* Court su-mitt') t*at sin/' t*' 'ntir' r''(ant mat'ria 5as a(aia-' on r'/or), t*'r' 5as no n'/'ssit. for t*' Hig* Court to issu' noti/' to t*' a++'ant</om+ainant. 7. Ha(ing -'sto5') our an=ious /onsi)'ration to t*' mat'ria on r'/or), in our 0u)gm'nt, t*' or)'r of t*' Hig* Court as aso -. t*' 4oar) ar' unsustaina-' in a5 as 5' as on fa/ts. 8. S'/tion 6$ of t*' A/t +ro(i)'s t*at an. +'rson aggri'(') -. an or)'r ma)' -. a /om+'t'nt aut*orit. un)'r t*' A/t ma. +r'f'r an a++'a to t*' Court of S'ssions. S'/tion 63 of t*' A/t /onf'rs on t*' Hig* Court t*' r'(isiona 0uris)i/tion to satisf. its'f as to t*' 'gait. or +ro+ri't. of an. or)'r +ass') -. t*' /om+'t'nt aut*orit. or Court of S'ssions. T*' S'/tion r'a)s as un)'rB 953.Rev!"#.$ T*' Hig* Court ma., at an. tim', 'it*'r of its o5n motion or on an a++i/ation r'/'i(') in t*is -'*af, /a for t*' r'/or) of an. +ro/'')ing in 5*i/* an. /om+'t'nt aut*orit. or Court of S'ssion *as +ass') an or)'r for t*' +ur+os' of satisf.ing its'f as to t*' 'gait. or +ro+ri't. of an. 6 su/* or)'r an) ma. +ass su/* or)'r in r'ation t*'r'to as it t*in1s fitB Pro(i)') t*at t*' Hig* Court s*a not +ass an or)'r un)'r t*is s'/tion +r'0u)i/ia to an. +'rson 5it*out gi(ing *im a r'asona-' o++ortunit. of -'ing *'ar).: 9. From a -ar' r'a)ing of +ro(iso to t*' S'/tion, it is +ain t*at in '='r/is' of its r'(isiona 0uris)i/tion t*' Hig* Court /annot +ass an or)'r, +r'0u)i/ia to an. +'rson 5it*out affor)ing *im a r'asona-' o++ortunit. of -'ing *'ar). At t*is 0un/tur', it 5ou) -' +rofita-' to not' t*at S'/tion 6; of t*' A/t aso +r's/ri-'s t*' +ro/')ur' to -' foo5') 5*i' )'aing 5it* in?uiri's, a++'as an) r'(isions un)'r t*' A/t. Su-@s'/tion ($! t*'r'of sti+uat's t*at sa(' as ot*'r5is' '=+r'ss. +ro(i)') un)'r t*' A/t, t*' +ro/')ur' to -' foo5') in *'aring r'(isions un)'r t*' A/t, s*a -' as far as +ra/ti/a-' in a//or)an/' 5it* t*' +ro(isions of t*' Co)' of Crimina Pro/')ur', "C&3 (for s*ort 7t*' Co)'8!. Su-@ s'/tion ($! of S'/tion ;%" of t*' Co)' /ont'm+at's t*at no or)'r un)'r t*' sai) S'/tion s*a -' ma)' to t*' +r'0u)i/' of t*' a//us') or "%&e' (e'!"# un'ss *' *as *a) an o++ortunit. of -'ing *'ar) 'it*'r +'rsona. or -. +'a)'r in *is o5n )'f'n/'. 7 10.Furt*'rmor', -. no5 it is 5' s'tt') t*at sa(' in /'rtain '=/'+tiona situations, t*' +rin/i+' of "#$% "&'()"* +")'(* man)at's t*at no on' s*a -' /on)'mn') un*'ar). It is a +art of ru's of natura 0usti/' an) t*' sou of natura 0usti/' is Dfair +a. in a/tion8, 5*i/* )'man)s t*at -'for' an. +r'0u)i/ia or a)('rs' or)'r is +ass') or a/tion is ta1'n against a +'rson, *' must -' gi('n an o++ortunit. to -' *'ar). 11.T*' ?u'stion for /onsi)'ration is t*at 5*'n t*' statutor. +ro(isions man)at' an) +rin/i+'s of natura 0usti/' )'man) a +r'@)'/isiona *'aring, 5*'t*'r or not t*' Hig* Court 5as 0ustifi') in not granting an o++ortunit. of *'aring to t*' a++'ant</om+ainantE In our o+inion, *a(ing r'gar) to t*' natur' of /ontro('rs. -'for' t*' Hig* Court an) t*' s/*'m' of t*' r''(ant statutor. +ro(isions 5*'r'un)'r t*' Hig* Court 5as '='r/ising its 0uris)i/tion, t*' Dfairn'ss in a/tion8 )i) )'man) t*at t*' Com+ainant 5as gi('n an o++ortunit. of *'aring in t*' R'(ision +'tition +r'f'rr') -. t*' a//us'). Mor'o('r, *' 5as im+'a)') as a +art. r's+on)'nt an) 5as o-(ious. +r'0u)i/') -. t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' Hig* Court 5*'n t*' a//us') 5as )'/ar') to -' a 0u('ni'. A' *a(', t*'r'for', no 8 *'sitation in *o)ing t*at t*' Hig* Court 5as /'ar. in 'rror in r'('rsing t*' or)'r +ass') -. t*' 4oar) 5it*out gi(ing an o++ortunit. of *'aring to t*' a++'ant. A//or)ing., 5' u+*o) t*' /ont'ntion of 'arn') /ouns' for t*' a++'ant t*at t*' or)'r of t*' Hig* Court )'s'r('s to -' s't asi)' on t*is s*ort ?u'stion aon'. 12.A' ma. no5 ta1' u+ t*' +i(ota +oint, (iF., 5*'t*'r or not t*' 4oar) *a) a++i') t*' /orr'/t +aram't'rs for )'t'rmining t*' ag' of t*' a//us'), 5*o is /aiming to -' a 0u('ni' on t*' )at' of o//urr'n/'. D't'rmination of ag' of a )'in?u'nt, +arti/uar. in -or)'rin' /as's, is rat*'r a /om+'= '='r/is'. T*' A/t as su/* )o's not a. )o5n an. fi=') norms, 5*i/* /ou) -' a++i') for )'t'rmining t*' ag' of a +'rson. Su-@ S'/tion ("! of t*' A/t +ro(i)'s for +r'sum+tion an) )'t'rmination of ag' an) r'a)s t*usB 9'(. Presu#%tion and deter#ination of a"e.@("! A*'r' it a++'ars to a /om+'t'nt aut*orit. t*at +'rson -roug*t -'for' it un)'r an. of t*' +ro(isions of t*is A/t (ot*'r5is' t*an for t*' +ur+os' of gi(ing '(i)'n/'! is a 0u('ni' or t*' /*i), t*' /om+'t'nt aut*orit. s*a ma1' )u' in?uir. so as to t*' ag' of t*at +'rson an) for t*at +ur+os' s*a ta1' su/* '(i)'n/' as ma. -' n'/'ssar. (-ut not an affi)a(it! an) s*a r'/or) a fin)ing 5*'t*'r t*' +'rson is a 9 0u('ni' or t*' /*i) or not, stating *is ag' as n'ar. as ma. -'. ($! === === ===: 13.From a -ar' r'a)ing of t*' +ro(ision, it is /'ar t*at it m'r'. +ro(i)'s t*at 5*'n it a++'ars to t*' /om+'t'nt aut*orit. (iF., t*' 4oar), t*at t*' +'rson -roug*t -'for' it is a 0u('ni', T*' 4oar) is o-ig') to ma1' an 'n?uir. as to t*' ag' of t*at +'rson> for t*at +ur+os' it s*a ta1' '(i)'n/' as ma. -' n'/'ssar. an) t*'n r'/or) a fin)ing 5*'t*'r t*' +'rson in ?u'stion is a 0u('ni' or not. E=+aining t*' s/o+' an) +ur+os' of S'/tion 3$ of t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' A/t, "C2# 5*i/* is amost +")% *"'()%" 5it* S'/tion ;C of t*' A/t in )ho$a )ha"at Gs. State of )ihar * , t*is Court *a) o-s'r(') as un)'rB@ 9H..5*'n a +'a is rais') on -'*af of an a//us') t*at *' 5as a 9/*i): 5it*in t*' m'aning of t*' )'finition of t*' '=+r'ssion un)'r t*' A/t, it -'/om's o-igator. for t*' /ourt, in /as' it 'nt'rtains an. )ou-t a-out t*' ag' as /aim') -. t*' a//us'), to *o) an in?uir. its'f for )'t'rmination of t*' ?u'stion of ag' of t*' a//us') or /aus' an 'n?uir. to -' *') an) s''1 a r'+ort r'gar)ing t*' sam', if n'/'ssar., -. as1ing t*' +arti's to 'a) '(i)'n/' in t*at r'gar). I''+ing in (i'5 t*' -'n'fi/ia natur' of t*' so/ia.@ ori'nt') 'gisation, it is an o-igation of t*' /ourt 5*'r' su/* a +'a is rais') to 5 (1997) , SCC 720 1 '=amin' t*at +'a 5it* /ar' an) it /annot fo) its *an)s an) 5it*out r'turning a +ositi(' fin)ing r'gar)ing t*at +'a, )'n. t*' -'n'fit of t*' +ro(isions to an a//us'). T*' /ourt *#s' *o) an 'n?uir. an) r'turn a fin)ing r'gar)ing t*' ag', on' 5a. or t*' ot*'r.: 14. N'('rt*''ss, in !itendra Ra# a$ias !itu Gs. State of !harkhand + - t*' Court soun)') a not' of /aution t*at t*' afor'stat') o-s'r(ations in )ho$a )ha"at (s#+)") 5ou) not m'an t*at a +'rson 5*o is not 'ntit') to t*' -'n'fit of t*' sai) A/t 5ou) -' )'at 5it* 'ni'nt. on. -'/aus' su/* a +'a is rais'). Ea/* +'a must -' 0u)g') on its o5n m'rit an) 'a/* /as' *as to -' /onsi)'r') on t*' -asis of t*' mat'rias -roug*t on r'/or). 15.At t*is 0un/tur', it is r''(ant to not' t*at in '='r/is' of +o5'r /onf'rr') -. S'/tion #2 of t*' A/t, t*' Stat' Jo('rnm'nt of J*ar1*an) *as fram') t*' J*ar1*an) Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n! Ru's, $%%3. Ru' $$ t*'r'of a.s )o5n t*' +ro/')ur' to -' foo5') -. a 4oar) in *o)ing 'n?uiri's an) t*' )'t'rmination of ag'. Su-@Ru' (6! of t*' sai) Ru' 5*i/* is mat'ria for t*' +r's'nt /as' r'a)s t*usB@ 6 (200) 9 SCC 42, 1 922. Pro,edure to -e fo$$o.ed -y a )oard in ho$din" in/uiries and the deter#ination of a"e.0 ("! HHH (6! In '('r. /as' /on/'rning a 0u('ni' or a /*i), t*' 4oar) s*a 'it*'r o-tain.@ (i! a -irt* /'rtifi/at' gi('n -. a /or+oration or a muni/i+a aut*orit.> or (ii! a )at' of -irt* /'rtifi/at' from t*' s/*oo first att'n)')> or (iii!matri/uation or '?ui(a'nt /'rtifi/at's, if a(aia-'> an) (i(! in t*' a-s'n/' of (i! to (iii! a-o(', t*' m')i/a o+inion -. a )u. /onstitut') M')i/a 4oar), su-0'/t to a margin of on' .'ar, in )'s'r(ing /as's for t*' r'asons to -' r'/or)') -. su/* M')i/a 4oar), (r'gar)ing *is ag' an), 5*'n +assing or)'rs in su/* /as' s*a, aft'r ta1ing into /onsi)'ration su/* '(i)'n/' as ma. -' a(aia-' or t*' m')i/a o+inion, as t*' /as' ma. -' r'/or) a fin)ing in r's+'/t of *is ag'!.: 16.T*us, as +'r Ru' $$, in t*' a-s'n/' of -irt* or matri/uation /'rtifi/at's, in or)'r to r'/or) a fin)ing in r's+'/t of ag' of a +'rson, t*' 4oar) is r'?uir') to o-tain t*' o+inion of a )u. /onstitut') M')i/a 4oar). It is /'ar from a -ar' r'a)ing of t*' Ru' t*at at*oug* t*' 4oar) is -oun) to o-tain t*' o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar) -ut t*' o+inion +() s( is not a /on/usi(' +roof of ag' of t*' +'rson /on/'rn'). 1 It is no mor' t*an an o+inion. Mor' so, 5*'n '('n t*' M')i/o@L'ga o+inion is t*at o5ing to t*' (ariation in /imati/, )i'ti/, *'r')itar. an) ot*'r fa/tors, aff'/ting t*' +'o+' of )iff'r'nt Stat's in t*' /ountr., it 5ou) -' im+ru)'nt to formuat' a uniform stan)ar) for t*' )'t'rmination of t*' ag'. Tru', t*at a M')i/a 4oar)8s o+inion -as') on t*' ra)ioogi/a '=amination is a us'fu gui)ing fa/tor for )'t'rmining t*' ag' of a +'rson -ut is not in/ontro('rti-'. Comm'nting on t*' '(i)'ntiar. (au' of t*' o+inion of a )o/tor, -as') on =@ra. t'sts, as to t*' ag' of a +'rson, in Ra#deo 1hauhan a$ias Raj 2ath Gs. State of Assa# 3 4 R.P. S't*i, J., s+'a1ing for t*' ma0orit. in a t*r''@Ju)g' 4'n/*, *a) o-s'r(') t*atB@ 9H.An K@ra. ossifi/ation t'st ma. +ro(i)' a sur'r -asis for )'t'rmining t*' ag' of an in)i(i)ua t*an t*' o+inion of a m')i/a '=+'rt -ut it /an -. no m'ans -' so infai-' an) a//urat' a t'st as to in)i/at' t*' '=a/t )at' of -irt* of t*' +'rson /on/'rn'). Too mu/* of r'ian/' /annot -' +a/') u+on t'=t-oo1s, on m')i/a 0uris+ru)'n/' an) to=i/oog. 5*i' )'t'rmining t*' ag' of an a//us'). In t*is (ast /ountr. 5it* (ari') atitu)'s, *'ig*ts, 'n(ironm'nt, ('g'tation an) nutrition, t*' *'ig*t an) 5'ig*t /annot -' '=+'/t') to -' uniform.: 7 (2001) ! SCC 714 1 17.It is 5' s'tt') t*at it is n'it*'r f'asi-' nor )'sira-' to a. )o5n an a-stra/t formua to )'t'rmin' t*' ag' of a +'rson. T*' )at' of -irt* is to -' )'t'rmin') on t*' -asis of mat'ria on r'/or) an) on a++r'/iation of '(i)'n/' a))u/') -. t*' +arti's. T*' M')i/a '(i)'n/' as to t*' ag' of a +'rson, t*oug* a ('r. us'fu gui)ing fa/tor, is not /on/usi(' an) *as to -' /onsi)'r') aong 5it* ot*'r /og'nt '(i)'n/'. 18.It is tru' t*at in Arnit 5as Gs. State of )ihar 6 4 t*is Court *as, on a r'(i'5 of 0u)i/ia o+inion, o-s'r(') t*at 5*i' )'aing 5it* a ?u'stion of )'t'rmination of ag' of an a//us'), for t*' +ur+os' of fin)ing out 5*'t*'r *' is a 0u('ni' or not, a *.+'r@ t'/*ni/a a++roa/* s*ou) not -' a)o+t') 5*i' a++r'/iating t*' '(i)'n/' a))u/') on -'*af of t*' a//us') in su++ort of t*' +'a t*at *' 5as a 0u('ni' an) if t5o (i'5s ma. -' +ossi-' on t*' sam' '(i)'n/', t*' Court s*ou) 'an in fa(our of *o)ing t*' a//us') to -' a 0u('ni' in -or)'rin' /as's. A' ar' aso not o-i(ious of t*' fa/t t*at -'ing a 5'far' 'gisation, t*' Courts s*ou) -' F'aous to s'' t*at a 0u('ni' )'ri('s fu -'n'fits of t*' +ro(isions of t*' A/t -ut 8 (2000) ! SCC 4,, 1 at t*' sam' tim' it is aso im+'rati(' for t*' /ourts to 'nsur' t*at t*' +rot'/tion an) +ri(i'g's un)'r t*' A/t ar' not misus') -. uns/ru+uous +'rsons to 's/a+' +unis*m'nts for *a(ing /ommitt') s'rious off'n/'s. 1).4'aring in min) t*'s' -roa) +rin/i+'s, 5' ma. no5 a)('rt to t*' fa/ts at *an). In)u-ita-., n'it*'r a )at' of -irt* /'rtifi/at' nor a matri/uation or '?ui(a'nt /'rtifi/at' from a s/*oo 5as +ro)u/') -'for' t*' 4oar) an), t*'r'for', t*' 4oar) 5as r'?uir') to o-tain a m')i/a o+inion of a )u. /onstitut') M')i/a 4oar), 5*i/* 5as )on'. T*' M')i/a 4oar) /arri') out t*' ossifi/ation t'sts of t*' a//us') an) o+in') t*at *is ag' 5as -'t5''n "&@"2 .'ars. T*'r'for', 5it* a margin of on' .'ar, as sti+uat') in Ru' $$(6!(i(!, *is ag' /ou) aso -' "# .'ars or "C .'ars. In a))ition to t*' sai) o+inion, t*' +ros'/ution aso +a/') -'for' t*' 4oar), a Got'rs List of t*' Constitu'n/. of D'og*ar for t*' .'ar $%%6. In t*at ist, t*' nam' of t*' a//us') a++'ar') at S. No. 3"& an) *is ag' 5as r'/or)') as $% .'ars. Ta1ing into /onsi)'ration t*is mat'ria an) t*' +*.si/a a++'aran/' of t*' a//us'), t*' 4oar) o+in') as un)'rB@ 1 9A++i/ant Ra0's* Ma*at*a is +r's'nt -'for' t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar). 4. o-s'r(ing *is +*.si/a -uit u+, it a++'ars t*at *' is an a)ut. Aso in t*' m')i/a '=amination r'+ort *is ag' *as -''n s*o5n as "&@"2 .'ars. His a)ut*oo) /an -' ('rifi') from t*' Got'r List $%%6 5*'r' t*' a++i/ant ag' *as -''n s*o5n as $% .'ars. It is aso t*' o+inion of t*' ot*'r 4oar) m'm-'rs t*at t*' a++i/ant Ra0's* Ma*at*a a++'ars to -' a)ut an) in t*' -a/1groun) of t*' )at' of t*' in/i)'nt *' 5as an a)ut. T*'r'for', -. t*' /on/urring o+inion of t*' m'm-'rs of t*' 4oar), it is )'/ar') t*at Ra0's* Ma*at*a t*' a//us') a++i/ant is an 9a)ut: of mor' t*an "2 .'ars of ag' in t*' -a/1groun) of t*' )at' of t*' o//urr'n/' of t*' in/i)'nt.: 20.As not') su+ra, t*' Hig* Court *as r'('rs') t*' o+inion of t*' 4oar). T*' r''(ant +ortion of t*' Hig* Court8s or)'r r'a)s t*usB@ 9Ha(ing r'gar) to t*' fa/ts an) /ir/umstan/'s of t*' /as', I fin) t*at J*ar1*an) Ju('ni' Justi/' (Car' an) Prot'/tion of C*i)r'n! Ru's $%%3 *as )'(is') Ru' $$ -'ing t*' +ro/')ur' to -' foo5') -. t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) in *o)ing 'n?uir. in )'t'rmination of t*' ag' of a Ju('ni' Ru' $$ (6! (i(! +ro(i)'s t*at t*' o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar), )u. /onstitut'), 5ou) -' t*' gui)ing fa/tor in )'t'rmination of t*' ag' of a Ju('ni', su-0'/t to margin of on' .'ar in a-s'n/' of t*' -irt* /'rtifi/at' of Ju('ni' in /onfi/t 5it* a5. I fin) t*at t*' sai) +ro(ision of Ru' *as -''n ignor') -. t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) as 5' as -. t*' S'ssion Court. 1 In t*' /ir/umstan/', t*' or)'r im+ugn') +ass') -. t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) on 3.#.$%%# 5*'r'-. an) 5*'r'un)'r t*' ag' of t*' +'tition'r 5as )'t'rmin') mor' t*an "2 .'ars is s't asi)' an) t*' " st A)). S'ssions Ju)g', D'og*ar is )ir'/t') to +ass a++ro+riat' or)'r r'turning -a/1 t*' r'/or)s of t*' Ju('ni' to t*' Ju('ni' Justi/' 4oar) in a//or)an/' 5it* a5 as 'ar. as +ossi-'.: 21.From t*' afor'@'=tra/t') or)'rs of t*' 4oar) as 5' as t*' Hig* Court, it is manif'st t*at t*' ?u'stion of )'t'rmination of ag' of t*' a//us') *as -''n )'/i)') -. -ot* t*' Courts in a /asua mann'r, ignoring t*' +rin/i+'s of a5 on t*' su-0'/t. 22.Insofar as t*' 4oar) is /on/'rn'), it is '(i)'nt t*at it *as m'/*ani/a. a//'+t') t*' 'ntr. in Got'rs List as /on/usi(' 5it*out a++r'/iating its +ro-ati(' (au' in t'rms of t*' +ro(isions of S'/tion 36 of t*' In)ian E(i)'n/' A/t, "2&$. S'/tion 36 of t*' sai) A/t a.s )o5n t*at an 'ntr. in an. +u-i/ or ot*'r offi/ia -oo1, r'gist'r, r'/or), stating a fa/t in issu' or r''(ant fa/t ma)' -. a +u-i/ s'r(ant in t*' )is/*arg' of *is offi/ia )ut. 's+'/ia. 'n0oin') -. t*' a5 of t*' /ountr. is its'f a r''(ant fa/t. It is trit' t*at to r'n)'r a )o/um'nt a)missi-' un)'r S'/tion 36, t*r'' /on)itions *a(' to -' satisfi'), nam'.B (i! 1 'ntr. t*at is r'i') on must -' on' in a +u-i/ or ot*'r offi/ia -oo1, r'gist'r or r'/or)> (ii! it must -' an 'ntr. stating a fa/t in issu' or a r''(ant fa/t, an) (iii! it must -' ma)' -. a +u-i/ s'r(ant in )is/*arg' of *is offi/ia )uti's, or in +'rforman/' of *is )ut. 's+'/ia. 'n0oin') -. a5. An 'ntr. r'ating to )at' of -irt* ma)' in t*' s/*oo r'gist'r is r''(ant an) a)missi-' un)'r S'/tion 36 of t*' A/t .#' '/( (0')1 )(2")$%02 '/( "2( 34 " +()s30 %0 " s5/33& )(2%s'() %s 34 03' *#5/ (6%$(0'%")1 6"&#( '3 +)36( '/( "2( 34 '/( +()s30 %0 '/( ".s(05( 34 '/( *"'()%"& 30 7/%5/ '/( "2( 7"s )(53)$($. (S''B )irad a$ Sin"hvi Vs. Anand Purohit ( ! 23.T*'r'for', on fa/ts at *an), in t*' a-s'n/' of '(i)'n/' to s*o5 on 5*at mat'ria t*' 'ntr. in t*' Got'rs List in t*' nam' of t*' a//us') 5as ma)', a m'r' +ro)u/tion of a /o+. of t*' Got'rs List, t*oug* a +u-i/ )o/um'nt, in t'rms of S'/tion 36, 5as not suffi/i'nt to +ro(' t*' ag' of t*' a//us'). Simiar., t*oug* a r'f'r'n/' to t*' r'+ort of t*' M')i/a 4oar), s*o5ing t*' ag' of t*' a//us') as "&@"2 .'ars, *as -''n ma)' -ut t*'r' is no in)i/ation in t*' or)'r 5*'t*'r 9 19,, (S#++) SCC 04 1 t*' 4oar) *a) summon') an. of t*' m'm-'rs of t*' M')i/a 4oar) an) r'/or)') t*'ir stat'm'nt. It aso a++'ars t*at t*' +*.si/a a++'aran/' of t*' a//us'), *as 5'ig*') 5it* t*' 4oar) in /oming to t*' afor'@not') /on/usion, 5*i/* again ma. not -' a )'/isi(' fa/tor to )'t'rmin' t*' ag' of a )'in?u'nt. Insofar as t*' Hig* Court is /on/'rn'), t*'r' is no in)i/ation in its or)'r as to in 5*at mann'r Ru' $$(6!(i(! *as -''n ignor') -. t*' 4oar). T*' 'arn') Ju)g' s''ms aso to *a(' a//'+t') t*' o+inion of t*' M')i/a 4oar) in t'rms of t*' sai) Ru' as /on/usi('. T*'r'for', t*' afor'@ stat') groun) on 5*i/* t*' Hig* Court *as s't asi)' t*' o+inion of t*' 4oar) an) *o)ing t*' a//us') to -' a 0u('ni', /annot -' sustain'). 2*.In our 0u)gm'nt, a+art from t*' fa/t t*at t*' im+ugn') or)'r suff'rs from t*' -asi/ infirmit. of -'ing (ioati(' of t*' +rin/i+'s of natura 0usti/', it /annot -' sustain') on m'rits as 5'. At t*' sam' tim', 5' ar' aso /on(in/') t*at t*' or)'r of t*' 4oar) fas s*ort of a +ro+'r 'n?uir. as 'n(isag') in S'/tion ;C of t*' A/t. 25.For t*' afor'm'ntion') r'asons, t*' a++'a is ao5') an) t*' matt'r is r'mitt') to t*' C*i'f 1 Ju)i/ia Magistrat', D'og*ar, *'a)ing t*' 4oar), 5it* a )ir'/tion to r'@)'t'rmin' t*' ag' of t*' a//us'), as on t*' )at' of /ommission of t*' a'g') off'n/'s, in a//or)an/' 5it* a5, 'nun/iat') a-o('. In t*' '('nt *' is foun) to -' a 0u('ni' 5it*in t*' m'aning of t*' A/t, *' s*a -' )'at 5it* a//or)ing.. Ho5'('r, if *' is not foun) to -' a 0u('ni', *' 5ou) fa/' tria un)'r t*' or)inar. /rimina a5. T*' in?uir. s*a -' /om+'t') '=+')itious., +r'f'ra-. 5it*in si= mont*s of r'/'i+t of a /o+. of t*is 0u)gm'nt. .....................J. +C.K. T,AKKER- .....................J. +D.K. JAIN- NE. DEL,I/ OCTOBER 3, 2008. 2