Jaspal Singh v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CRMM No. 56284 of 2024 (O&M) Date of Decision: 12.11.2024 Jaspal Singh .....Petitioner versus State of Punjab and others .....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE Present :

Mr. Umesh Kumar Kanwar, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. HS Deol, Sr. Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. ****
    


 The petitioner invoking inherent powers of this Court prays for the following reliefs:-
 


    



     

     

      


     

  


    





 
       !"# !#!   


 #! 

    

  
      
 $ %

  
 $ &'

(  )$
* 
   +



   

 



  , - .

 /

   + 


* 

 
 

 *     2.

The principal grievance of petitioner, who is grandfather of the deceased, is that despite the offence of murder having been registered as early as on 26.04.2024 vide FIR No. 41 under Section 302 IPC at Police Station Sadar Patiala, District Patiala, the investigation has not yet been completed by the concerned police authorities.

3.

Learned State counsel informs the Court that the person against whom the petitioner had expressed suspicion was found to be not involved and therefore, the police is yet to trace out the real culprits. RAVINDER KUMAR 2024.11.13 19:09 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document



 

 [2] 4.

A period of six and half months has elapsed since registration of FIR under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code which is one of the gravest of offences under Indian Penal Code and this period is long enough for the police authorities to conclude the investigation.

5.

This Court is conscious of the fact that relevant statute does not prescribe any maximum time frame for completion of investigation but in grave offences like that of murder, the police ought to act promptly and collect all possible evidence connecting with the crime without any unnecessary delay so as to prevent the material evidence from getting obliterated due to passage of time.

6.

It has been informed that Gurpreet Singh, Station House Officer of Police Station Sadar Patiala is the Investigating Officer of the case. 7.

In view of the aforesaid unexplained delay in conducting the investigation in a grave offence, this Court directs the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala to personally supervise the investigation and conclude the same as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of one month from today and file a compliance report before the Registry of this Court. In case the compliance report is not filed or it is found by the Registry that investigation has not been completed latest by 20.12.2024, then the matter be put up before this Court for taking appropriate action as a PUD. 8.

With the aforesaid observations, the petition stands disposed of. (SHEEL NAGU) CHIEF JUSTICE   ravinder Whether speaking/reasoned √Yes/No Whether reportable √Yes/No RAVINDER KUMAR 2024.11.13 19:09 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document