STATE OF PUNJAB v. DAVINDER PAL SINGH BHULLAR & ORS. ETC

Citation: [2011] 15 S.C.R. 540

Court: Supreme Court of India

Bench: B.S. CHAUHAN, A.K. PATNAIK

Case summary

STATE OF PUNJAB v. DAVINDER PAL SINGH BHULLAR & ORS. ETC.pdf

Judgment text

[2011) 15 (ADDL. ) S. C. R. 540 STATE OF PUNJAB v. DAVINDER PAL SINGH BHULLAR & ORS. ETC (Criminal Appeal Nos. 753-55 of 2009) DECEMBER 7, 2011 [DR. B. S. CHAUHAN AND A. K. PATNAIK, JJ. ] Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: s. 362 - Alteration/Modification of judgment - Permissibility of - Held: There is no power of review with the Criminal Court after judgment has been rendered - High Court can alter or review its judgment before it is signed - When judgment/order is passed, it cannot be reviewed s. 362 is based on an acknowledged principle of law that. once 0 .

a matter is finally disposed of by a Court, the said Court in the absence of a specific statutory provision becomes functus officio and is disentit/ed to entertain a fresh prayer for any relief unless the former order of final disposal is set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction in a manner prescribed by Jaw - Court becomes functus officio the moment the order for disposing of a case is signed - Such an order cannot be altered except to the extent of correcting a clerical or arithmetical error - There is also no provision for modification of the judgment. s. 482 - Inherent powers under - Scope of exercise - Applications filed uls. 482 in a disposed of appeal - High Court entertained the applications, directed investigation by CBI and consequently CBI registered FIR - Held: Prohibition contained in s. 362 is absolute; after the judgment is signed, even the High Court in exercise of its inherent power u/s. 482 has no authority or jurisdiction to alter/review the same.

Constitution of India, 1950: Article 137 - Power to review BHULLAR & ORS. ETC any judgment- Held: Supreme Court by virtue of Article 137 has been invested with an express power· to review any judgment in Criminal Law. Jurisdiction: Of the Bench - Held: A Judge or a Bench of Judges can assume jurisdiction in a case pending in the High Court only if the case is allotted to him or them by the Chief Justice - Strict adherence of this procedure is essential for maintaining judicial discipline and proper functioning of the Court - The Judge cannot choose which matter he should entertain and he cannot entertain a petition in respect of which jurisdiction has not been assigned to him by the Chief Justice.

Investigation/Inquiry: When CBI enquiry can be directed - Held: A constitutional court can direct the CBI to investigate into the case provided the court after examining the a/legations in the complaint reaches a conclusion that the complainant could make out prima facie case against the accused - However, the person against whom the investigation is sought, is to be impleaded as a party and must be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard - CBI cannot be directed to have a roving inquiry as to whether a person was involved in the alleged unlawful activities - The court can direct CBI investigation only in exceptional circumstances where the court is of the view that the accusation is against a person who by virtue of his post could influence the investigation and it may prejudice the cause of the complainant, and it is necessary to do so in order to do complete justice and make the investigation credible.

Doctrine of waiver: Bar of waiver/acquiescence - Held: Issue of bias must be raised by party at the earliest if he is aware of it - If plea of bar is not taken at early stage, bar of waiver is created - Moreover, question of waiver! acquiescence would arise in a case provided the person apprehending the bias/prejudice is a party to the case. Judicial bias: Disability to act as an adjudicator - Held: Suspicion or bias disab. les an official from acting as an adjudicator - Mere ground of appearance of bias and not actual bias is enough to vitiate judgment/order - Judgment which is result of bias or want of impartiality is a nullity. Judgment/Order: Review/alteration of judgment - Permissibility - Held: There is no power with the criminal court to review after judgment is rendered.

Res judicata: Writ of habeas corpus petitions filed earlier and dealt with by the courts in accordance with law - Fresh petition in respect of the same subject matter filed after 10 years - Maintainability of- Held: A second petition for issuing a writ of habeas corpus is barred by principles of res judicata - The doctrine of res judicata may not apply in case a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution is filed before Supreme Court after disposal of a habeas corpus writ petition under Article 2. 26 of the Constitution by the High Court - H?

wever, it is not possible to re-approach the High Court for the same relief by filing a fresh writ petition - In case, a petition by issuing writ of habeas corpus is dismissed by the High Court and Special Leave Petition against the same is also dismissed, a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking the same relief would not be maintainable - There may be certain exceptions to the rule that a person was not aware of the correct facts while filing the first petition or the events have arisen subsequent to making of the first application - The Court must bear in mind that doctrine of res judicata is confined generally to civil action but inapplicable to illegal action and fundamentally lawless order - A subsequent petition of habeas corpus on fresh grounds which were not taken in the earlier petition for the same relief may be permissible.

Appeal: Special leave petition (SLP)- Dismissal of, in limine - Held: Dismissal of the SLP in limine does not mean that the reasoning of the judgment of the High Court against BHULLAR & ORS. ETC which the SLP had been filed before the Supreme Court stood affirmed or the judgment and order impugned merged with such order of Supreme Court on dismissal of the petition - It would simply mean that Supreme Court did not consider the case worth examining for a reason, which may be other than merit of the case - An order rejecting the SLP at the threshold without detailed reasons, therefore, would not constitute any declaration of law or a binding precedent - The doctrine of res judicata does not apply, if the case is entertained afresh at the behest of other parties - Precedent.

The question which arose for consideration in the instant appeals were whether the High Court can pass an order on an application entertained after final disposal of the criminal appeal or even suo motu particularly, in view of the provisions of Section 362 Cr. P. C. and as to whether in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr. P. C. the High Court can ask a particular investigating agency to investigate a case following a particular procedure through an exceptionally unusual method which is not in consonance with the statutory provisions of Cr. P. C. The prosecution case was that FIR No. 334191 under IPC and Explosive Substances Act, 1908 was registered. In connection with that FIR, one 'BSM' was arrested. On 19. 12. 1991, 'BSM' escaped from the custody of the police for which FIR No. 112 under Sections 223 and 224 IPC was registered. The father of 'BSM' filed writ petition before the High Court for production of his son.

The State Government explained that 'BSM' had escaped from police custody. The High Court dismissed the aforesaid writ petition. After completion of the investigation in respect of FIR No. 112 of 1991 regarding the escape of 'BSM', a challan was filed before the competent court wherein he was declared a proclaimed offender. After completion of the investigation in FIR No. 334 of 1991, the Police chargesheeted eight persons. The chargesheet revealed that an attempt was made by terrorists on the life of 'SSS', the then SSP, Chandigarh, by using explosives. In a thunderous explosion that followed, the Ambassador Car of the SSP, Chandigarh, was blown high into the air whereafter it fell down ahead at some distance completely shattered. Two persons died and several persons got grievously injured. Three of the accused, namely, 'DPSB, 'PSM' and 'GKM' were subjected to trial. The other co-accused were not traceable and they were declared proclaimed offenders.

The trial court acquitted the three accused giving them benefit of doubt. The High Court dismissed the appeal against the said acquittal. After 20 days of the disposal of the appeal against acquittal, the High Court again took up the case suo motu on 30. 5. 2007 and directed the authorities to furnish full details of the proclaimed offenders in respect of the FIR No. 334/91 dated 29. 8. 1991 and the Bench marked the matter "Part Heard". The SSP, Chandigarh submitted an affidavit dated 4. 8. 2007, giving information regarding all the proclaimed offenders in that case. One of them was 'DPSB' who was initially declared as a proclaimed offender. However, he was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to death in a case in which an assassination attempt was made on the life of 'MSB', the then President, All India Youth Congress, in which several persons were killed and the legs of 'MSB' were amputated. It was also mentioned in the affidavit that 'BSM' had .

escaped from police custody and his whereabouts were not known. Another proclaimed offender was killed in a police encounter. After considering the said affidavit filed by the SSP, the High Court directed the Chandigarh Administration to constitute a Special Investigation Team to enquire into all aspects of the proclaimed offenders and submit a status BHULLAR & ORS. ETC report. The Hig'1 Court also issued notice to the CBI. It was during the pendency of these proceedings that the father of 'BSM' whose habeas corpus writ petition had already been dismissed by the High Court in the year 1991, approached the Court by filing a miscellaneous application on 16. 9. 2007, for issuance of directions to find out the whereabout of his son. The High Court.

directed the CBI to investigate the allegations of father of 'BSM' regarding his missing son and further directed the CBI not to disclose the identity of any of the witnesses to anyone except the High Court and to code the names of witnesses as witness A, B and C and further to submit periodical status reports. In the same matter, the Bench entertained another Criminal Miscellaneous Application on 30. 10. 2007 filed by 'DPSB' (a convict in another case and lodged in Tihar Jail) regarding allegations that his 0 father and maternal uncle had been abducted in the year 1991. The High Court directed the CBI to investigate the allegations made in the complaint filed by 'DPSB'. The CBI after making a preliminary investigation/enquiry on the application, registered an FIR on 2. 7. ZOOS under Sections 120-B, 364, 343, 330, 167 and 193 IPC against 'SSS,' the then SSP and other police officers.

The instant appeals were filed on various grounds, including: the judicial bias of the Judge presiding over the Bench by making specific allegations that the officer named in the order had conducted an enquiry against the Presiding Judge (Mr. Justice X) on the direction of the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court and, thus, the said Judge ought not to have proceeded with the matter, rather should have recused himself from the case; and that as the judgment in appeal against acquittal was passed by the Court on 11. 5. 2007 upholding the judgment of acquittal, the Court became functus officio and it had no competence to reopen the case by order dated 30. 5. 2007. Allowing the appeals, the Court HELD: I. JUDICIAL BIAS: There may be a case where allegations may be made against a Judge of having bias/ prejudice at any stage of the proceedings or after the proceedings are over.

There may be some substance in 8 it or it may be made for ulterior purpose or in a pending case to avoid the Bench if a party apprehends that judgment may be delivered against him. Suspicion or bias disables an official from acting as an adjudicator. Further, if such allegation is made without any substance, it would be disastrous to the system as a whole, for the reason, that it casts doubt upon a Judge who has no personal interest in the outcome of the controversy. This principle is derived from the legal maxim - nemo debet esse judex in causa propria sua. It applies only when the interest attributed Is such as to render the case his own cause. This principle is required to be observed by all judicial and quasi-Judicial authorities as non-observance thereof, is treated as a violation of the principles of natural justice. The failure to adhere to this principle creates an apprehension of bias on the part of the Judge.

The question is not whether the Judge is actually biased or, in fact, has really not decided the matter impartially, but whether the circumstances are such as to create a reasonable apprehension in the mind of others that there is a likelihood of bias affecting the decision. The test of real likelihood of bias is whether a reasonable person, in possession of relevant information, would have thought that bias was likely and whether the adjudicator was likely to be disposed to decide the matter only in a particular 3 way. Public policy requires that there should be no doubt about the purity of the adjudication process/ administration of justice. The Court has to proceed observing the minimal requirements of natural justice, i. e. , the Judge has to act fairly and without bias and in good faith. A judgment which is the result of bias or want of BHULLAR & ORS. ETC impartiality, is a nullity and the trial "coram non judice".

Therefore, the consequential order, if any, is liable to be quashed. It is evident that the allegations of judicial bias are required to be scrutinised taking into consideration the factual matrix of the case in hand. The court must bear in mind that a mere ground of appearance of bias and not actual bias is enough to vitiate the judgment/order. Actual proof of prejudice in such a case may make the case of the party concerned stronger, but such a proof is not required. In fact, what is relevant is the reasonableness of the apprehension in that regard in the mind of the party. However, once such an apprehension exists, the trial/judgment/order etc. stands vitiated for want of impartiality. Such judgment/order is a nullity and the trial "coram non-judice". [Paras 10, 14, 16, 20] [579-E-F; 581- C-D-F; 582-8-C; 584-H; 585-A-C] State of West Bengal & Ors. v. Shivananda Pathak & Ors. AIR 1998SC 2050; Bhajan Lal, Chief Minister, Haryana v. Ml s. Jindal Strips Ltd. & Ors.

(1994) 6 SCC 19; Rameshwar Bhartia v. The State of Assam AIR 1952 SC 405; Mineral Development Ltd. v. The State of Bihar &Anr. AIR 1960 SC 468; Meenglas Tea Estate v. The Workmen AIR 1963 SC 1719; The Secretary to the Government, Transport Department, Madras v. Munuswamy Mudaliar & Ors. AIR 1988 SC 2232; A. U. Kureshi v. High Court of Gujarat &Anr. (2009) 11 SCC 84; Mohd. Yunus Khan v. State of U. P. & Ors. (2010) 10 SCC 539) Manak Lal, Advocate v. Or. Prem Chand Singhvi & Ors. AIR 1957 SC 425; Vassi/iades v. Vassiliades AIR 1945 PC 38; S. Parthasarathi v. State of Andhra Pradesh AIR 1973 SC 2701; Ranjit Thakur v. Union of India & Ors. AIR 1987 SC 2386; Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra &Anr. (2002) 4 SCC 388; Justice P. O. Dinakaran v. Hon'ble Judges Inquiry Committee (2011) 8 SCC 380 - relied on. In re: Linahan, 138 F. 2nd 650 (1943); Public Utilities Commission ofthe District of Columbia v. Franklin S. Pollak 343 US 451 (1952) 466; Ex Parte Pinochet Ugarte (No.

2) 1999 All ER, 577; Locabail (UK) Ltd. v. Bayfield Properties Ltd. &Anr. (2000) 1 All ER 65 - referred to. II. DOCTRINE OF WAIVER: In a given case if a party knows the material facts and is conscious of his legal rights in that matter, but fails to take the plea of bias at the earlier stage of the proceedings, it creates an effective bar of waiver against him. In such facts and circumstances, it would be clear that the party wanted to take a chance to secure a favourable order from the official/court and· when he found that he was confronted with an unfavourable order, he adopted the device of raising the issue of bias. The issue of bias must be raised by the party at the earliest. Inaction in every case does not lead to an inference of implied consent or acquiescence. Waiver is an intentional relinquishment of a right. It involves conscious abandonment of an existing legal right, advantage, benefit, claim or privilege, which except for such a waiver, a party could have enjoyed.

In fact, it is an agreement not to assert a right. There can be no waiver unless the person who is said to have waived, is fully informed as to his rights and with full knowledge about the same, he intentionally abandons them. It is apparent that the issue of bias should be raised by the party at the earliest, if it is aware of it and knows its right to raise the issue at the earliest, otherwise it would be deemed to have been . waived. However, it is to be kept in mind that acquiescence, being a principle of equity must be made applicable where a party knowing all the facts of bias etc. , surrenders to the authority of the Court/Tribunal without raising any objection. Acquiescence, in fact, is sitting by, when another is invading the rights. The acquiescence must be such as to lead to the inference of a licence sufficient to create rights in other party. Needless to say BHULLAR & ORS.

ETC that question of waiver/acquiescence would arise in a case provided the person apprehending the bias/ prejudice is a party to the case. The question of waiver would not arise against a person who is not a party to the case as such person has no opportunity to raise the issue of bias. [paras 21-23, 25] [585-F-G; 586-D-G; 587-E- G] . Mis. Pannalal Binjraj & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. , AIR 1957 SC397; Justice P. O. Dinakaran (2011) 8 SCC 380; Ml s. Power Control Appliances & Ors. v. Sumeet Machines Pvt. Ltd. (1994) 2 SCC 448; P. ohn Chandy & Co. (P) Ltd. v. John P. Thomas AIR 2002 SC 2057; Oawsons Bank Ltd. v. Nippon Menkwa Kabushihi Kaish AIR 1935 PC 79; Basheshar Nath v. Commissioner of Income-tax, Delhi and Rajasthan & Anr. AIR 1959 SC 149; Mademsetty Satyanarayana v. G. Yel/oji Rao & Ors. , AIR 1965 SC 1405; Associated Hotels of India Ltd~ v. S. B. Sardar Ranjit Singh AIR 1968 SC 933; Jaswantsingh Mathurasingh & Anr. v. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation & Ors.

(1992) Suppl 1 SCC 5; Mis. Sikkim Subba Associates v. State of Sikkim AIR 2001 SC 2062; Krishna Bahadur v. Mis. Puma Theatre &Ors. AIR 2004 SC 4282; Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay v. Dr. Hakimwadi Tenants' Association & Ors. AIR 1988 SC 233 relied on. ' Ill. BAR TO REVIEW/ALTER- JUDGMENT There is no power of review with the Criminal Court after judgment has been rendered. The High Court can alter or review its judgment before it is signed. When an order is passed, it cannot be reviewed. Section 362 Cr. P. C. is based on an acknowledged principle of law that once a matter is finally disposed of by a Court, the said Court in the absence of a specific statutory provision becomes functus officio and is disentitled to entertain a fresh prayer for any relief unless the former order of final disposal is set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction in a manner prescribed by law. The Court becomes functus officio the moment the order for disposing of a case is signed.

Such an order cannot be altered except to the extent of correcting a clerical or arithmetical error. There is also no provision for modification of the judgment. Moreover, the prohibition contained in Section 362 Cr. P. C. is absolute; after the judgment is signed, even the High Court in exercise of its inherent power under Section 482 Cr. P. C. has no authority or jurisdiction to alter/review the same. If a judgment has been pronounced without jurisdiction or in violation of principles of natural justice or where the order has been pronounced without giving an opportunity of being heard to a party affected by it or where an order was obtained by abuse of the process of court which would really 0 amount to its being without jurisdiction, inherent powers can be exercised to recall such order for the reason that in such an eventuality the order becomes a nullity and the provisions of Section 362 Cr. P. C. would not operate.

In such eventuality, the judgment is manifestly contrary to the audi alteram partem rule of natural justice. The power of recall is different from the power of altering/ reviewing the judgment. However, the party seeking recall/alteration has to establish that it was not at fault. This Court by virtue of Article 137 of the Constitution has been invested with an express power to review any judgment in Criminal Law and while no such power has been conferred on the High Court, inherent power of the court cannot be exercised for doing that which is specifically prohibited by the Code itself. (paras 26, 27, 28] (588-A-H; 589-A-B-D] Hari Singh Mann v. Harbhajan Singh Bajwa & Ors. AIR 2001 SC 43;Chhanni v. State of U. P. AIR 2006 SC 3051; Moti Lal v. State of M. P. AIR 1994 SC 1544; State of Kera/a v. M. M. Manikantan Nair AIR 2001 SC 2145; Chitawan & BHULLAR & ORS. ETC Ors. v. Mahboob l/ahi 1970 Crl. L. J. 378; Deepak Thanwardas Ba/wani v. State of Maharashtra &Anr. 1985 Crl. L. J.

23; Habu v. State of Rajasthan AIR 1987 Raj. 83 (F. B. );Swarth Mahto & Anr. v. Dharmdeo Narain Singh AIR 1972 SC 1300; Makkapati Nagaswara Sastri v. S. S. Satyanarayan AIR 1981 SC 1156; Asif Kumar Kar v. State of West Bengal & Ors. (2009) 2 SCC 703; Vishnu Agarwal v. State of U. P. & Anr. AIR 2011 SC 1232; State Represented by D. S. P. , S. B. C. l. D. , Chennai v. K. V. Rajendran & Ors. AIR 2009 SC 46; Smt. Sooraj Devi v. Pyare Lal & Anr. AIR 1981 SC 736 - relied on. IV. INHERENT POWERS UNDER SECTiON 482 Cr. P. C. 4. 1. The inherent power under Section 482 Cr. P. C. is intended to prevent the abuse of the process of the Court and to secure the ends of justice. Such power cannot be , 0 exercised to do something which is expressly barred under the Cr. P. C. If any consideration of the facts by way· of review is not permissible under the Cr. P. C. and is expressly barred, it is not for the Court to exercise its inherent power to reconsider the matter and record a conflicting decision.

If there had been change in the circumstances of the case, it would be in order for the High Court to exercise its inherent powers in the prevailing circumstances and pass appropriate orders to secure the ends of justice or to prevent the abuse of the process of the Court. Where there are no such changed circumstances and the decision has to be arrived at on the facts that e)\isted as on the date of the earlier order, the exercise of the power to reconsider the same materials to arrive at different conclusion is in effect a review, which is expressly ! Jarred under Section 362 Cr. P. C. [para 31] [590-B-E] Simrikhia 11. Dolley Mukherjee and Chhabi Mukherjee & Anr, (1990) 2 SCC 437; Kurukshetra University &Anr. v. State of Haryana &Anr. AIR 1977 SC 2229; State of WB. & Ors. v. Sujit Kumar Rana (2004) 4 SCC 129 - relied on. 4. 2. The power under Section 482 Cr. P. C. cannot be resorted to if there is a specifU: provision in the Cr. P. C.

for the redressal of the grievance of the aggrieved party or where alternative remedy is available. Such powers can be exercised ex debito justitiae to do real and substantial justice as the courts have been conferred such inherent jurisdiction, in absence of any express provision, as inherent in their constitution, or such powers as are necessary to do the right and to undo a wrong in course of administration of justice as provided in the legal maxim "quando lex a/iquid alique, concedit, conceditur et id sine quo res ipsa esse non potesf'. However, the High Court has not been given nor does it possess any inherent power to make any order, which in the opinion of the court, could be in the interest of justice as the statutory provision is not intended to by-pass the procedure prescribed. [para 33] [591-B-F] La/it Mohan Monda/ & Ors. v. Benoyendra Nath Chatterjee AIR 1982 SC 785; Rameshchandra Nandlal Parikh v. • State of Gujarat & Anr.

AIR 2006 SC 915; Central Bureau of Investigation v. Ravi Shankar Srivast-ava, /AS & Anr. AIR 2006 SC 2872; lnder Mohan Goswami & Anr. v. State of Uttarancha/ & Ors. AIR 2008 SC 251; Pankaj Kumar v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. AIR 2008 SC 3077 - relied on. 4. 3. The High Court can always issue appropriate direction in exercise of its power under Article 226 of the Constitution at the behest of an aggrieved person, if the court is convinced that the power of investigation has been exercised by an Investigating Officer malafide or the matter is not investigated at all. Even in such a case, th~ High Court cannot direct the police as to how the investigation is to be conducted but can insist only for BHULLAR & ORS. ETC he observance of process as provided for in the Cr. P. C. A 6. nother remedy available to such an aggrieved person 'llay be to file a complaint under Section 200 Cr. P. C. and he court concerned will proceed as provided in Chapter XV of the Cr. P. C.

The provisions of Section 482 Cr. P. C. ::losely resemble Section 151, CPC and, therefore, the B restrictions which are there to use the inherent powers 11nder Section 151 CPC are applicable in exercise of powers under Section 482 Cr. P. C. and one such restriction is that there exists no other provision of law by which the party aggrieved could have sought relief. C [Paras 34-35] [591-H; 592-A-D] Gangadhar Janardan Mhatre v. State of Maharashtra & •Ors. , (2004) 7 SCC 768; Divine Retreat Centre v. State of •Kera/a & Ors. AIR 2008 SC 1614; The Janata Dal v. H. S. -Chowdhary &Ors. AIR 1993 SC 892; Divisional Forest Officer D & Anr. v. G. V. Sudhakar Rao & Ors. AIR 1986 SC 328; . Popular Muthiah v. State represented by Inspector of Police 1(2006) 7 SCC 296; Rajan Kumar Machananda v. State of l/<. amataka 1990 (supp. ) SCC 132; Joseph Peter v. State of •Goa, Daman and Diu AIR 1977 SC 1812- relied on. E 4. 4.

The rule of inherent powers has its source in the maxim "Quado/ex aliquid a/icui concedit, concedere videtur iid sine quo ipsa, ess uon potest" which means that when lthe law gives anything to anyone, it gives <1lso all those F ! things without which the thing itself could not exist. The ,order cannot be passed by-passing the procedure 1Prescribed by law. The court in exercise of its power under Section 482 Cr. P. C. cannot direct a particular agency to linvestigate the matter or to investigate a case from a G 1particular angle or by a procedure not prescribed in ~r. P. C. Such powers should be exercised very sparingly Ito prevent abuse of process Qf any court. Courts must be careful to see that its decision in exercise of this power ijs based on sound principles. To inhere means that it H forms a necessary part and belongs as an attribute in the nature of things. The High Court under Section 482 Cr. P. C.

is crowned with a statutory power to exercise control over the administration of justice in criminal proceedings within its territorial jurisdiction. This is to ensure that proceedings undertaken under the Cr. P. C. are executed to secure the ends of justice. For this, the Legislature has empowered the High Court with an inherent authority which is repository under the Statute. The Legislature therefore clearly intended the existence of such power in the High Court to control proceedings initiated under the Cr. P. C. Conferment of such inherent power might be necessary to prevent the miscarriage of justice and to prevent any form of injustice. However, it is to be understood that it is neither divire nor limitless. It is not to generate unnecessary indulgence. The power 0 is to protect the system of justice from being polluted during the administration of justice under the Code.

The High Court can intervene where it finds the abuse of the process of any court which means, that wherever an attempt to secure something by abusing the process is located, the same can be rectified by invoking such power. There has to be a nexus and a direct co-relation to any existing proceeding, not foreclosed by any other form under the Code, to the subject matter for which such power is to be exercised. [Para 40] [593-G-H; 594- A-G] 4. 5. Application under Section 482 Cr. P. C. lies before the High Court against an order passed by the court subordinate to it in a pending case/proceedings. Generally, such powers are used for quashing criminal proceedings in appropriate cases. Such an application does not lie to initiate criminal proceedings or set the criminal law in motion. Inherent jurisdiction can be exercised if the order of the Subordinate Court results in the abus~ of the "process" of the court and/or calls for BHULLAR & ORS. ETC interference to secure the ends of justice.

The use of A word 'process' implies that the proceedings are pending before the Subordinate Court. When reference is made to the phrase "to secure the ends of justice", it is in fact in relation to the order passed by the Subordinate Court and it cannot be understood in a general connotation of B the phrase. More so, while entertaining such application the proceedings should be pending in the Subordinate Court. In case it attained finality, the inherent powers cannot be exercised. Party aggrieved may approach the appellate/revisional forum. Inherent jurisdiction can be exercised if injustice done to a party, e. g. , a clear mandatory provision of law is overlooked or where different accused in the same case are being treated differently by the Subordinate Court. An inherent power is not an omnibus for opening a pandorabox, that too for o issues that are foreign to the main context.

The invoking of the power has to be for a purpose that is connected to a proceeding and not for sprouting an altogether new issue. A power cannot exceed its own authority beyond its own creation. It is not that a person is remediless. On the contrary, the constitutional remedy of writs are available. Here, the High Court enjoys wide powers of prerogative writs as compared to that under Section 482 Cr. P. C. To secure the corpus of an individual, remedy by way of habeas corpus is available. For that the High Court should not resort to inherent powers under Section 482 Cr. P. C. as the Legislature has conferred separate powers for the same. Needless to mention that Section 97 Cr. P. C. empowers Magistrates to order the search of a person wrongfully confined. It is something different that the same court exercising authority can, in relation to the ·same subject matter, invoke its writ jurisdiction as well. Nevertheless, the inherent powers are not to provide universal remedies.

The power cannot be and should not be used to belittle its own existence. One cannot concede anarchy to an inherent power for that was never the wisdom of the Legislature. To confer un-briddled inherent power would itself be trenching upon the authority of the Legislature. [Para 40) [594-H; 595-A-H; 596-A-B] V. JURISDICTION OF THE BENCH : 5. The Chief Justice is the master of roster. The Chief Justice enjoys a special status and he alone can assign work to a Judge sitting alone and to the Judges sitting in Division Bench or Full Bench. The Bench gets jurisdiction from the assignment made by the Chief Justice and the Judge cannot choose as which matter he should entertain and he cannot entertain a petition in respect of which jurisdiction has not been assigned to him by the Chief Justice as the order passed by the court may be without jurisdiction and made the Judge coram non-judice. [Paras 42-43) [587-C-D; 598-0-E] State of Rajasthan v. Prakash Chand & Ors.

AIR 1998 SC 1344; State of U. P. & Ors. v. Neeraj Chaubey & Ors. (2010) 10 SCC 320; State of Maharashtra v. Narayan Shamrao Puranik AIR 1982 SC 1198; lnder Mani v. Matheshwari Prasad (1996) 6 SCC 587; R. Rathinam v. State (2002) 2 SCC 391 ; Jasbir Singh v. State of Punjab (2006) 8 sec 294 - reffed on. Sanjay Kumar Srivastava v. Acting Chief Justice, 1996 AWC 644 - approved. VI. WHEN CBI ENQUIRY CAN BE DIRECTED: A constitutional court can direct the CBI to investigate ~nto the case provided the court after examining the allegations in the complaint reaches a conclusion that the complainant could make out prima facie, a case against the accused. However, the person against whom the investigation is sought, is to be· BHULlAR & ORS. ETC impleaded as a party and must be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard. CBI cannot be directed to have a roving inquiry as. to whether a person was involved in the alleged unlawful activities.

The court can direct CBI investigation only in exceptional circumstances where the court is of the view that the accusation is against a person who by virtue of his post could influence the investigation and it may prejudice the cause of the complainant, and it is necessary so to do in order to do complete justice and make the investigation credible. [para 48] [600-B-D] Secretary, Minor Irrigation and Rural Engineering SeNices, U. P. & Ors. v. Sahngoo Ram Arya &Anr. AIR 2002 SC 2225; Common Cause, A Registered Society v. Union of India & Ors. (1999) 6 SCC 667; D. Venkatasubramaniam & Ors. v. M. K. Mohan Krishnamachari &Anr. (2009) 10 SCC 488; Disha v. State of Gujarat & Ors. AIR 2011 SC 3168; Vineet Narain & Ors. v. Union of India & Anr. AIR 1996 SC 3386; Union of India v. Sushi/ Kumar Modi (1998) 8 SCC 661; Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'La/an' (VIII) v. Union of India (2006) 6 SCC 613; Rubabbuddin Sheikh v. State of Gujarat & Ors. AIR 2010 SC 3175; Ashok Kumar Todi v.

Kishwar Jahan & Ors, (2011) 3 SCC 758 - relied on. 7. 1. The instant appeals are decided in the light of the said settled legal propositions. It is evident from the judgment and order dated· 11. 5. 2007 that the criminal appeal stood dismissed. The order sheet dated 30. 5. 2007 revealed that in spite of the disposal of the said criminal appeal it had been marke. d therein as "put up for further hearing" and directions were given to the trial court to furnish a detailed report as to the measures taken by it to bring the proclaimed offenders before the Court. The order dated 5. 9. 2007 s. howed that the Bench headed by Mr. Justice X was furnished with full information regarding proclaimed offenders by the authorities. The · order dated 19. 9. 2007 revealed that the Bench expressed its anguish that nothing could be done since the year 1993 by the Chandigarh Police to procure the presence of the proclaimed offenders.

The record revealed that 'DPSB' was involved in assassination attempt of 'MSB'. He was convicted and given the death sentence. Ever since 2003, 'DPSB' remained silent regarding the investigation of the alleged disappearances of his father and uncle and suddenly woke up in the year 2007 when the Bench presided by Mr. Justice X started suo motu hearing various other matters after the disposal of the- criminal appeal against acquittal. The Court was fully aware that another relative of 'DPSB' had filed a case before the High Court in the year 1997, for production of 'BSB', the father of 'DPSB' and not for his uncle. The High Court had rejected the said petition and the matter was not agitated 0 further attained finality. [paras 50-52] [600-F-G; 601-D-E; 602-E-H; 603-A] 7. 2.

It is evident that the court was very much anxious to know about the proclaimed offenders, however, after getting certain information, the Court stopped monitoring the progress in procuring the presence of any of those proclaimed offenders. By this time, the Court also came to know that son of 'DSM' had also been killed. Therefore, the chapter regarding the proclaimed offenders was closed. · There was no occasion for the Court to proceed further with the matter and entertain the applications under Section 482 Cr. P. C. , filed by 'DSM' and 'DPSB'. The Bench was not competent to entertain the said applications and even if the same had been. filed in the disposed of appeal, the court could have directed to place the said applications before the Bench dealing with similar petitions. It is evident from the order dated 30. 5. 2007 that in spite of the fact that the appeal stood disposed of on 11. 5. 2007, there appeared an order in t'1e file: "put up for further hearing".

That BHULLAR & ORS. ETC meant the matter was to be heard by the same Bench -consisting of Judges 'X' and 'A'. However, the matter was listed before another Bench on 2. 7. 2007 and the said Bench directed to list the matter before DB-IV after taking the appropriate order from the Chief Justice. In absence of the Chief Justice, the senior most Judge passed the order on 5. 7. 2007 to list the matter before the DB-IV. The matter remained with the Presiding Judge, though the other Judge changed most of the time, as is evident from the subsequent order sheets. Order sheet dated 30. 5. 2007 revealed that it was directed to put up the case for further hearing. Thus, it should have been heard . by the Bench as it was on 30. 5. 2007. [paras 54-55] [603-H; 604-A-G] 8. The chargesheet in the trial court itself revealed that two accused had died. The State counsel failed to bring these facts to the notice of the court. The order dated 5. 10.

2007 though gave an impression that the High Court was trying to procure the presence of the proclaimed offenders but, in fact, it was to target the police officers, who had conducted the inquiry against Mr. Justice X. The order read that particular persons were eliminated in a false encounter by the police and it was to be ascertained as to who were the police officers responsible for it, so that they could be brought to justice. There could be no justification for the Bench concerned to entertain applications filed under Section 482 Cr. P. C. as miscellaneous applications in a disposed of appeal. The law requires that the Bench could have passed an appropriate order to place those applications before the Bench hearing Section 482 Cr. P. C. petitions or place the matters before the Chief Justice for appropriate orders.

As the High Court after rejecting the applications for leave to appeal had passed several ·orders to procure the presence of the proclaimed offenders so that they could be brought to justice, neither the State of Punjab nor 'SSS' could be held to be 1-i the persons aggrieved by such orders and, therefore, there could be no question of raising any protest on their behalf for passing such orders even after disposal of the application for leave to appeal as such orders were rather in their favour. The appellants became aggrieved only and only rorhen the High C_ourt entertained the applications filed under Section 482 Cr. P. C. for tracing out the whereabouts of certain persons allegedly missing for the past 20 years. Such orders did not have any connection with the incident in respect of which the application for leave to appeal had been entertained and rejected.

An application fqr leave to appeal that has been dismissed against an order of acquittal cannot provide a platform fo~ an investigation in a s"bject matter that is alien and not directly concerned with the subject matter of appeal. If a person has an opportunity to raise objections and fails to do so, it would amount to waiver on his part. However, such person can raise objections only if he is impleaded as a party-respondent in the case and has an opportunity to raise an objection on the ground of bias. In the instant case, neither the State of Punjab nor 'SSS' have been impleaded as respondents. Thus, the question of waiver on the ground of bias by either of them does not arise. [Paras 57-60] [606-C-H; 607-A-F] 9. Undoubtedly, in respect of missing persons earlier habeas corpus petitions had been filed by the persons concerned in 1991 and 1997 which were dealt with by the courts in accordance with law.

A fresh petition in respect of the same subject matter could not have been entertained after 10 years of dismissal of the said writ petition. A second writ petition for issuing a writ of habeas corpus is barred by principles of resjudicata. The doctrine of res judicata may not apply in cas!! a writ retition under Article 32 of the Constitution is filed before this Court after disposal of a habeas corpus writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution by the High Court. However, it is not BHULLAR & ORS. ETC possible to re-approach the High Court for the same relief by filing a fresh writ petition for the reason that it would be difficult for the High Court to set aside the order made by another Bench of the same court. In case, a petition by issuing Writ of Habeas Corpus is dismissed by the High Court and Special Leave Petition against the same is also dismissed, a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking the same relief would not be maintainable.

There may be certain exceptions to the rule . · that a person was not aware of the correct facts while filing the first petition or the events have arisen subsequent to making of the first application. The Court must bear in mind that doctrine of res judicata is confined generally to civil action but inapplicable to illegal action and fundamentally lawless order. A subsequent petitipn of habeas corpus on fresh grounds which were not taken 0 in the earlier petition for the same relief may be permissible. A case is to be decided on its facts taking into consideration whether really new issues have been agitated or the iacts raised in subsequent writ petition could not be known to the writ petitioner while filing the earlier writ petition. [Paras 61-63, 65] [607-G-H; 608-A-C; F-G; 609-C-D] Ghulam Sarwar v. Union of India & Ors. AIR 1967 SC 1335; Nazul Ali Molla, etc. v. State of West Bengal 1969 (3) SCC 698; Niranjan Singh v. State of Madhya Pradesh AIR 1972 SC 2215; Har Swarup v.

The General Manager, Central Railway & Ors. AIR 1975 SC 202; T. P. Moideen Koya v. Government of Kera/a & Ors. AIR 2004 SC 4733; K. Vidya Sagar v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors. AIR 2005 SC 2911; Lalubhai Jogibhai Patel v. Union of India &Ors. AIR 1981 SC 728; Ajit Kumar Kaviraj v. Distt. Magistrate, Birbhum & Anr. AIR 1974 SC 1917; Sunil Dutt v. Union of India & Ors. AIR 1982 SC 53; Srikant v. District Magistrate, Bijapur & Ors. (2007) 1 sec 486 - relied on. 10. The parties concerned had not filed fresh writ petitions, rather chosen, for reasons best known to them applications under Section 482 Cr. P. C. , which could not have been entertained. A large number of documents were submitted to the court under sealed cover by the State of Punjab on the direction of this court. The said documents showed that 'SSS' had conducted the enquiry in 2002 against Mr.

Justice X on the direction of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the alleged appointment of certain judicial/executive officers in Punjab through the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. 'SSS' had filed reports against Mr. Justice X. The Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court confronted Mr. Justice X with the said reports. On the basis of the said reports, the Chief Justice of the High Court submitted his report to the Chief Justice of India, 0 on the basis of which a Committee to investigate the matter further was appointed. This Committee even examined one Superintendent of Police of the intelligence wing who had worked directly under 'SSS' while conducting the enquiry. [Para 65-66] [609-D-H; 610- A] 11. The High Court has adopted an unusual and unwarranted procedure, not known in law, while issuing certain directions.

The court not only entertained the applications filed by 'DPSB' and 'DSM' in a disposed of appeal but enlarged the scope of CBI investigation from proclaimed offenders to other missing persons. The court directed the CBI to treat affidavits handed over by 'DPSB' who admittedly had inimical relation with 'SSS' as statement of eye-witnesses. The court further directed the CBI to change the names of witnesses to witness (A), (B) or (C) and record their statements under Section 164 • Cr. P. C. so that they could not resile at a later stage. The court was not justified in directing the CBI to adopt such an unwarranted course. When the matter came up for STATE OF PUNJAB v. DAVINDER PAL SINGH 563 BHULLAR & ORS. ETC hearing on 2. 4. 2008, in spite of the fact that the matter was heard throughout by a particular Division Bench, Mr. Justice X alone held the proceedif'!

gs, and accepted the status report of the CBI sitting singly, as the proceedings reveal that the other Judge was not holding court on that day. [paras 67-69] [610-A-F] 12. The FIR unquestionably is an inseparabfe corollary to the impugned orders which are a nullity. Therefore, the very birth of the FIR which is a direct consequence of the impugned orders cannot have any lawful existence. The FIR itself is based on a preliminary· enquiry which in turn is based on the affidavits submitted by the applicants who had filed the petitions under Section 482 Cr. P. C. The order impugned was rightly challenged to be a nullity at least on three grounds, namely, judicial bias; want of jurisdiction by virtue of application of the provisions of Section 362 Cr. P. C. coupled with the principles of constructive res judicata; and the Bench had not been assigned the roster to entertain petitions under Section 482 Cr. P. C.

It is a settled legal proposition that if initial action is not in consonance with law, all subsequent and consequential proceedings would fall through for the reason that illegality strikes at the root of the order. In such a fact-situation, the legal maxim "sublato fundamento cadit opus" meaning thereby that foundation being removed, structure/work falls, comes into play and applies on all scores in the present case. The orders impugned being a nullity, cannot be sustained. As a consequence, subsequent proceedings/ orders/FIR/ investigation stand automatically vitiated and are liable to be declared non est. [paras 70-72, 76] [611- B-F; 612-D-E] Badrinath v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. AIR 2000 SC 3243; State of Kera/a v. Puthenkavu N. S. S. Karayogam & Anr. (2001) 10 SCC 191; Mangal Prasad Tamoli (dead) by Lrs. v. Narvadeshwar Mishra (dead) by Lrs. & Ors. (2005) 3 SCC 422; In C. Albert Morris v. K. Chandrasekaran & Ors. (2006) 1 SCC 228; Upen Chandra Gogoi v. State of Assam & Ors.

(1998) 3 SCC 381; Satchidananda Misra v. State of Orissa &Ors. (2004) 8 SCC 599; Regional Manager, SB/ v. Rakesh Kumar Tewari (2006) 1 SCC 530; Ritesh Tewari & Anr. v. State of. U. P. & Ors. AIR 2010 SC 3823 - relied on. 13. The dismissal of the special leave petition in limine does not mean that the reasoning of the judgment of the High Court against whi. ch the Special Leave Petition had been filed before this Court stands affirmed or the judgment and order impugned merges with such order of this Court on dismissal of the petition. It simply means that this Court did not consider the case worth examining for a reason, which may be other than merit of the case. An order rejecting the Special Leave Petition at the threshold withQut detailed reasons, therefore, does not constitute any declaration of law or a binding precedent. The doctrine of res judicata does not apply, if the case is entertained afresh at the behest of other parties.

No inference can be drawn that by necessary implication, the contentions raised in the special leave petition on the merits of the case have been rejected. So it has no precedential value. [para 77] [612-G-H; 613-A-D] The Workmen of Cochin Port Trust v. The Board of Trustees of the Cochin Port Trust & Anr. AIR 1978 SC 1283; Ahmedabad Manufacturing & Calico Printing Co. Ltd. v. The Workmen & Anr. AIR 1981 SC 960; Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. v. State of Bihar & Ors. AIR 1986 SC 1780; Yogendra Narayan Chowdhury & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. AIR 1996 SC 751; Union of/ndia & Anr. v. Sher Singh & Ors. AIR 1997 SC 1796; Mis Sun Export Corporation, Bombay v. Collector of Customs; Bombay & Anr. AIR 1997 SC 2658; Kunhayammed ~ Ors. v. State of Kera/a &Anr. AIR 2000 SC 2587; Saurashtra Oil Mills Association, Gujarat v. State of STATE OF PUNJAB v. DAVINDER PAL SINGH 565 BHULLAR & ORS. ETC Gujarat & . Anr. AIR 2002 SC 1130; Union of India & Ors. v.

Jaipal Singh AIR 2004 SC 1005; Delhi Development Authority v. Bhola Nath Sharma (dead) by L. Rs. & Ors. AIR 2011 SC 428 - referred to. 14. The error in the impugned orders of the High Court transgreases judicious discretion. The process adopted by the High Court led to greater injustice than securing the ends offustice. The path charted by the High Court inevitably reflects a biased approach. It was a misplaced sympathy for a cause that can be termed as being inconsistent to the legal framework. Law is an endless process of testing and retesting as said by Justice Cardozo in his conclusion of the Judicial Process, ending in a constant rejection of the dross and retention of whatever is pure and sound. The multidimensional defective legal process adopted by the court below cannot be justified on any rational legal principle. The High Court was swayed away by considerations that are legally impermissible and unsustainable.

The impugned orders challenged are declared to be nullity and as a consequence, the FIR registered by the CBI is also quashed. However, it is open to the applicants who had filed the petitions under Section 482 Cr. P. C. to take recourse to fresh proceedings, if permissible in law. [Paras 78-80] [613-H; 614-A-EJ Case Law Reference: 1998 (1) SCR 811 relied on Para 12 343 us 451 (1952) 466 referred to Para 12 1994 (2) Suppl. SCR 445 relied on Para 13 AIR 1952 SC 405 relied on Para 14 1960 SCR 609 relied on Para 14 566 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2011) 15 (ADDL. ) S. C. R. 1964 SCR 165 . relied on Para 14 1988 Suppl.

SCR 673 relied on Para 14 2009 (1) SCR 879 relied on Para 14 2010 (12) SCR 448 relied on Para 14 1957 SCR 575 relied on Para 15 AIR 1945 PC 38 relied on Para 16 1974 (1) SCR 697 relied on Para 16 1988 (1) SCR 512 relied on Para 16 2002 (2) SCR 1006 relied on Para 17 1999 All ER, 577 relied on Para 17 (2000) 1 All ER 65 relied on Para 18 (2011 > 8 sec 380 relied on Para 19 1999 All ER, 577 referred to Para 17 (2000) 1 All ER 65 referred to Para 19 1957 SCR 233 relied on Para 21 (2011) 8 sec 380 relied on Para 21 1994 (1) SCR 708 relied on Para 22 2002 (3) SCR 549 relied on Para 22 p AIR 1935 PC 79 relied on Para 23 1959 Suppl. SCR 528 relied on Para 23 1965 SCR 221 relied on Para 23 1968 SCR 548 relied on Para 23 STATE OF PUi\IJAB v. DAVINDER PAL SINGH 567 BHULLAR & ORS. ETC 1991 (1) Suppl. SCR226 relied on Para 23 2001 (3) SCR 261 relied on Para 23 2004 (3) Suppl. SCR 833 relied on Para 23 1988 SCR 21 relied on Para 24 2000 (4) Suppl. SCR 313 relied on Para 26 2006 (3) Suppl.

SCR 305 relied on Para 26 AIR 1994 SC 1544 relied on Para 26 2001 (3) SCR 203 relied on Para 26 1970 Crl. L. J. 378 relied on Para 27 1985 Crl. L. J. 23 relied on Para 27 AIR 1987 Raj. 83 (F. B relied on Para 27 AIR 1972 SC 1300 relied on Para 27 1981 (1) sec 62 relied on Para 27 (2009) 2 sec 103 relied on Para 27 •· 2011 SCR 197. relied on Para 27 2008 (12) SCR 1141 relied on Para 28 1981 (2 ) SCR 485 relied on Para 29 1990 (1) SCR 788 relied on Para 31 1911 (4) sec 451 relied on Para 32 (2004) 4 sec 129 relied on Para 32 1982 (3) sec 219 relied on Para 33 2006 (1) sec 132 relied on Para 33 2006 (4) Suppl. SCR 450 relied on Para 33 2007 (10) SCR 847 relied on Para 33 2008 (16) sec 111 relied on Para 33 2004 (4) Suppl. SCR 772 relied on Para 34,45 2008 (4) SCR 701 relied on Para 34 1992 (1) Suppl. SCR 226 relied on Para. 35 1985 (3) Suppl. SCR 680 relied on Para 36 2005 (5) Suppl. SCR 63 relied on Para 37 1990 (supp.

) sec 132 relied on Para 38 1977 (3) SCR 771 relied on Para 39 1997 (6) Suppl. SCR 1 relied on Para 41 2010 (11) SCR 542 relied on Para 42 1982 (2) sec 440 relied on Para 42 1996 (7) Suppl. SCR 400 relied on Para 42 (2002) 2 sec 391 relied on Para 42 2006 (7) Suppl. SCR 174 relied on Para 42 1996 AWC 644 approved Para 42 2002 (5) sec 521 relied on Para 44 1999 (3) SCR 1279 relied on Para 44 2009 (14) SCR 441 relied on Para 46 AIR 2011 SC 3168 relied on Para 47 1996 (1) SCR 1053 relied on Para 47 BHULLAR & ORS. ETC (1998) 8 sec 861 relied on Para 47 2006 (4) Suppl. SCR 742 relied on Para 47 2010 (1) SCR 991 relied on Para 47 2011 (3) SCR 597 relied on Para 47 1967 SCR 271 relied on Para 62 1969 (3) sec 698 relied on Para 62 1973 (1) SCR 691 relied on Para 62 1915 (3) sec 621 relied on Para 62 2004 (4) Suppl. SCR 904 relied on Para 62 2005 (5) sec 581 relied on Para 62 1981 (2) SCR 352 relied on Para 63 1975 (2) SCR 21 relied on Para 63 1982 (3) sec 405 relied on Para 63 2006 (9) Suppl.

SCR 312 relied on Para 64 2000 (8) sec 395 relied on Para 73 (2001) 10 sec 191 relied on Para 73 (2005) 3 sec 422 relied on Para 74 2005 (4) Suppl. SCR 779 relied on Para 75 (1998) 3 sec 381 relied on Para 75 2004 (4) Suppl. SCR 505 relied on Para 75 (2006) 1 sec 530 relied on Para 75 2010 (11) SCR 589 relied on Para 75 1978 (3) SCR 971 referred to Para 77 1981 (3) SCR 213 referred to Para 77 1986 (3) SCR 553 referred to Para 77 1995 (6) Suppl. SCR 17 referred to Para 77 1997 (1) SCR 1048 referred to Para 77 1997 (1) Suppl. SCR 259 referred to Para 77 AIR 2000 SC 2587 referred to Para 77 2002 (1) SCR 1099 referred to Para 77 2003 (5) Suppl. SCR 115 referred to Para 77 2011 (2) sec 54 referred to Para 77 CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal Nos. 753-755 of 2009. From the Judgment & Order dated 5. 10. 2007 in Criminal Misc. No. 152-MA of 2007; 06. 11. 2007 in Criminal Misc. No. 93535 of 2007 filed in Criminal Misc. No. 152-MA of 2007 and 4. 7. 2008 in Criminal Misc. No.

152-MA of 2007 of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh. WITH Criminal Appeal No. 2258-2264 of 2011. Ram Jethmalani, Ranjit Kumar, RS. Khosla, AAG, K. K. Khanna, AAG, Aprajita Singh, Meenakshi Grover, Saurabh Ajay Gupta, Pranav Dish, Karan Kalia, A. S. Virk, Kuldip Singh, J. K. Sud, AK. Mehtra, Manoj Prasad for the Appellant. P. P. Malhotra, ASG, K. N. Balgopal ,Colin Gonsalves, G. K. Bharti, A. P. Mukundan, Nitya Nambiar, T. Koza, Rajesh Dhawan, Madhumita Bora, Balaji Srinivasan, Jayshree BHULLAR & ORS. ETC Satpute, Jyoti Mendiratta, Navkiram Singh, P. K. Dey, Dr. Ch. Shamsudin Khan, A. K. Sharma, M. S. Daobia, S. S. Rawat, B. Krishna Prasad, Kamini Jaiswal, Sanjay Jain and Jaspreet Gogia for the Respondents. · The Judgment of the Court was delivered by DR. B. S. CHAUHAN, J. 1. Leave granted in the Special Leave Petitions filed by Shri Sumedh Singh Saini. 2. These appeals have been preferred against the orders dated 30. 5. 2007, 22. 8. 2007, 5. 10. 2007 and 4. 7.

2008 in Crl. Misc. No. 152-MA of 2007; order dated 19. 9. 2007 in Crl. Misc. No. 86286 of 2007 in Crl. Misc. No. 152-MA of 2007; and orders dated 2. 11. 2007 and 6. 11. 2007 in Crl. Misc. No. 93535 of 2007 in Crl. Misc. No. 152-MA of 2007 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh. For the sake of convenience of disposal of the appeals, we would refer only to the criminal appeals filed by the State. 3. The Appeal& herein raise peculiar substantial questions of law as to whether the High Court can pass an order on an application entertained after final disposal of the criminal-appeal or even suo motu particularly, in view of the provisions of Section 362 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter called Cr. P. C. ) and as to whether in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr. P. C.

the High Court can ask a particular investigating agency to investigate a case following a particular procedure through an exceptionally unusual method which is not in consonance with the statutory provisions of Cr. P. C. 4. FACTS: (A) An FIR No. 334/91 under Sections 302, 307, 323, 437 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter called the 'IPC') and Sectiqns 3 & 4 of Explosive Substances Act,. 1908 was registered at Police Station, Sector 17, Chandigarh. In connection with an FIR dated 13. 12. 1991, one Balwant Singh Multani was arrested in a case in respect of the FIR No. 440 registered under Sections 212 and 216 IPC, Sections 25/54/ 69 of Arms Act 1959, and Sections 3 & 5 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (hereinafter called as 'TADA Act') at Police Station, Sector-17, Chandigarh. On 19. 12. 1991, the said accused Balwant Singh Multani escaped from the custody of the police from Police Station Qadian (Punjab) for which FIR No. 112 dated 19.

12. 1991 under Sections 223 and 224 IPC was registered at Police Station Qadian (Punjab). Shri D~rshan Singh Multani, father of Balwant Singh Multani filed Criminal Writ Petition No. 1188 of 1991 before the High Court of Punjab & Haryana under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, 1950, (hereinafter called "Constitution"), for production of the said accused Balwant Singh Multani. The State Government filed a reply to the same, o explaining that the said accused had escaped from police custody and after considering the case, the High Court dismissed the Habeas Corpus Petition. After completion of the investigation in respect of FIR No. 112 of 1991 regarding the escape of Balwant Sing~ Multani, a challan was filed before the compet~nt court wherein he was declared a proclaimed offender vide order dated 12. 5. 1993. After completion of the investigaticn in FIR No. 334 of 1991 dated 29. 8. 1991, the Police chargesheeted eight persons.

The chargesheet revealed that an attempt was made by terrorists on the life of the then SSP, Chandigarh, by using explosives. In a thunderous explosion that followed, the Ambassador Car of the SSP, Chandigarh, was blown high into the air whereafter it fell down ahead at some distance completely shattered. HC Amin Chand, the driver of the car and ASI Lalu Ram, PSO, died on the spot. ASI Ramesh Lal, PSO, and CRPF jawans in the Escort vehicle were grievously injured. The bomb explosion was carried out by the terrorists from a parked car in order to kill the SSP, UT, Chandigarh, and other police personnel and this explosion was conducted with explosives operated with a remote control, because of which, two police personnel died BHULLAR & ORS. ETC [DR. B. S. CHAUHAN, J. ] on the spot and many others were grievously injured. Three of the accused, namely, Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar alias Master, Partap Singh Maan and Gursharan Kaur Maan were subjected to trial.

The other co-accused namely, Navneet Singh, Manjit Singh, Manmohan Jit Singh, Gurjant Singh and Balwant Singh were not traceable. They were declared proclaimed offenders. (B) On conclusion of the trial, the Court vide judgment and order dated 1. 12. 2006 acquitted the three accused giving them benefit of doubt. (C) Aggrieved, the State (U. T. , Chandigarh) preferred Criminal Miscellaneous No. 152-MA of 2007 before the High Court challenging the said acquittal. However, the appeal was dismissed J/ide judgment and order dated 11. 5. 2007. (D) After 20 days of the disposal of the said Crl. Misc. No. 152-MA of 2007, i. e. , appeal against acquittal, the High Court again took up the case suo motu on 30. 5. 2007 and directed the authorities to furnish full details of the proclaimed offenders in respect of the FIR No. 334/91 dated 29. 8. 1991 and the Bench marked the matter "Part Heard". (E) Shri Dinesh Bhatt, SSP, Chandigarh submitted an affidavit dated 4. 8.

2007, giving information regarding all the proclaimed offenders in that case. One of them was Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, who had initially been declared as a proclaimed offender in the said case on 2. 3. 1993. However, he had subsequently been arrested in a case relating to FIR No. 316 of 1993, Police Station, Parliament Street, Delhi and FIR No. 150 of 1993, Police Station, Srinivas Puri, New Delhi and had been sentenced to death in a case in which an assassination attempt was made on the life of Shri M. S. Bitta, the then President, All India Youth Congress, in which several persons were killed and Shri Bitta's legs were amputated. It was also mentioned therein that BalwantSingh Multani escaped from police custody and his whereabouts were not known. One proclaimed offender, Navneet Singh had been killed in a police encounter in Rajasthan on 26. 2. 1995. (F) After considering the said affidavit filed by Shri Dinesh Bhatt, SSP, the High Court vide order dated 22. 8.

2007 directed the Chandigarh Administration to constitute a Special Investigation Team to enquire into all aspects of the proclaimed offenders and submit a status report. The High Court also issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (hereinafter called the 'CBI'). (G) It was during the pendency of these proceedings that Shri Darshan Singh Multani, father of Balwant Singh Multani, whose habeas corpus writ petition had already been dismissed by the High Court in the year 1991, approached t'1e Court by filing a miscellaneous application on 16. 9. 2007, for issuance of directions to find out the whereabout of his son Balwant Singh Multani. (H) In response to the show cause notice dated 22. 8. 2007, the CBI submitted its reply on 3. 10.

2007 requesting the High Court not to handover the enquiry to the CBI, as it was already overburdened with the investigation of cases referred to it by various courts; suffered from a shortage of manpower and resources; and the case did not have any inter-state ramifications. (I) The High Court vide order dated 19. 9. 2007 took note of the fact that Manmohan Jit Singh, an employee of IBM, was reported by the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, to be one of the proclaimed offenders. In view thereof, an affidavit was filed by Chandigarh Administration dated 5. 10. 2007 submitting that the proclaimed offender Manmohan Jit Singh had left for abroad. (J) However, the High Court vide order dated 5. 10. 2007, directed the CBI to investigate the allegations of Darshan Singh Multani regarding his missing son and further directed the CBI BHULLAR & ORS. ETC [DR. B. S. CHAUHAN, J.

] not to disclose the identity of any of the witnesses to anyone except the High Court and to code the names of witnesses as witness A, B &C and further to submit periodical status reports. The order further reads:- "However, Shri Sumedh Singh Saini, Director, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, who at that time, i. e. , on 11. 2. 1991 was posted as Senior Supdt. of Police was at helm of affairs of Chandigarh Police and was serving as the Sr. Supdt. of Police, UT. As of date, he is holding a very important post and is in a position to influence the investigating officer if it is handed over to the Punjab Police or even for that matter to the Chandigarh Police. " (K) In the same matter, the Bench entertained anotner Criminal Miscellaneous Application on 30. 10:2007 filed by Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, (a convict in another case and lodged in Tihar Jail) regarding allegations that his father Shri · Balwant Singh Bhullar and maternal uncle Shri Manjit Singh had been abducted in the year 1991.

The High Court vide order dated 6. 11. 2007 directed the CBI to investigate the allegations made in the complaint filed by Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar and further to get his statement recorded under Section 164 Cr. P. C. , so that the witness may not resile under duress or be won over by any kind of inducement. An order was passed rejecting the submission made on behalf of the CBI that the alleged kidnapping of Shri Balwant Singh Bhullar and Shri Manjit Singh had no connection with the said case arising out of FIR No. 334 dated 29. 8. 1991. (L) The CBI after making a preliminary investigation/ enquiry on the application, registered an FIR on 2. 7. 2008 under Sections 120-B, 364, 343, 330, 167 and 193 IPC against Shri S. S. Saini, the then SSP, UT, Chandigarh, Shri Baldev Singh ~aihi, the then DSP, UT, Chandigarh, Shri Harsahay Shanna, the then SJ, P. S. Central, Chandigarh, Shri Jagir Singh, the then · SJ, P. S.

Central, Chandigarh and other unknown police officials of UT Police, Chandigarh, and P. S. Qadian. The CBI further submitted a status report on 4. 7. 2008 and after considering the same, the High Court issued further directions to complete the investigation within the stipulated period and submit a further report. 5. The State of Punjab, being aggrieved, approached this Court submitting that it has to espouse the cause of its officers who fought war against terrorism, putting themselves at risk during the troublesome period in the early 1990s. That Shri S. S. Saini, SSP, has been one of the most decorated officers of the State having outstanding entries in his Service Book. He is an honest and hardworking officer and has taken drastic steps to curb terrorism in the State in earty 1990s. The terrorists had planned a diabolical act and an attempt was made on his life, wherein his three bodyguards were killed and three others were seriously injured.

The officer himself suffered grievous injuries. The terrorists had also even chased him up to England when he went there for a social visit. They had planned to attack the said officer. They were arrested by the police and put to trial and also stood convicted. A sentence of four years had been imposed. These appeals have been filed on various grounds, including: the judicial bias of the Judge presiding over the Bench by making specific allegations that the officer named in the order i. e. Shri S. S. Saini had conducted an enquiry against the Presiding Judge (hereinafter called "Mr. Justice X") on the direction of the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court and, thus, the said Judge ought not to have proceeded with the matter, rather should have recused himself from the case. More so, as the judgment in appeal against acquittal had been passed by the Court on 11. 5.

2007 upholding the judgment of acquittal, the Court has become functus officio and it had no competence to reopen the case vide order dated 30. 5. 2007. 6. This Court vide order dated 11. 7. 2008 stayed the investigation until further orders. BHULLAR & ORS. ETC [DR. B. S. CHAUHAN, J. ] 7. Shri Ram Jethmalani, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad and Shri Ranjit Kumar, learned senior counsel appearing for the appellants, have submitted that once the judgment in appeal against acquittal has been rendered by the High Court on 11. 5. 2007, in view of the complete embargo of the provisions of Section 362 Cr. P. C. , the Court having become functus officio was not competent to reopen the case and, thus, proceedings subsequent to 11. 5. 2007 are a nullity for want of competence/jurisdiction. More so, the proceedings that continued after the said judgment, by illegally reopening the case, were a result of judicial bias of Mr. Justice X, which was just to take revenge against Shri S. S.

Saini, who had conducted an inquiry against Mr. Justice X and thus, all such proceedings are liable to be quashed. None of the parties had ever named Mr. S. S. Saini in connection with any of the cases. It was Mr. Justice X, who, on his personal knowledge, mentioned his 0 name in court order dated 5. 10. 2007. Such a course is not permissible in law. More so, so far as Balwant Singh Multani's case is concerned, his father Darshan Singh Multani (at the relevant time an officer of Indian Administrative Service) had approached the High Court for the same relief and the case stood dismissed in the year 1991 and he had not taken up the matter any further. Thus, the proceedings attained finality. Application of Mr. Multani could not have been entertained after the expiry of 16 years.

The same position existed in respect of the application filed by Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar (who had been convicted and awarded a death sentence in another case and the same stood confirmed by this Court) in respect of abduction of his father Balwant Singh Bhullar and uncle Manjit Singh in the year 1991 without·furnishing any explanation for delay of 16 years. More so, Mrs. Jagir Kaur, sister of Balwant Singh Bhullar, had filed Crl. W. P. No. 1062 of 1997 for production of Balwant Singh Bhullar, which stood dismissed vide order dated 15. 7. 1997 only on the ground of delay. A second writ petition for habeas corpus is not maintainable and is barred by the principles of res judicata. The CBI submitted that investigation of the said alleged abduction be not tagged with that of the involvement of the officer and disappearance of Balwant Singh Multani, as both the incidents were separate and independent and had no connection with each other.

The High Court after taking note of the said submissions in its order dated 6. 11. 2007 illegally clubbed both the said applications. The applications filed by Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar and Darshan Singh Multani could not be filed/entertained in the disposed of criminal appeal. Had the said applications been filed independently, the same could be rejected as being filed at a much belated stage. Even otherwise, the said applications could have gone to a different Bench. Thus, by entertaining those applications in a disposed of criminal appeal, the Bench presided over by Mr. Justice X violated the roster fixed by the Chief Justice. Thus, the proceedings are liable to be quashed. 8. On the other hand, S/Shri K. N. Balgopal and Colin Gonsalves, learned senior counsel appearing for respondents - private parties and Shri P. K.

Dey, learned counsel appearing for the CBI, have submitted that in order to do complete justice in the case, the High Court has exercised its power under Section 482 Cr. P. C. , no interference is required by this Court on such technical grounds. The provisions of Section 362 Cr. P. C. are not to be construed in a rigid and technical manner as it would defeat the ends of justice. The two-fold aim of criminal justice is that "guilt shall not escape nor innocence suffer. " Allegations made against the Presiding Judge are scandalous and false and do not require any consideration whatsoever. The name of Mr. S. S. Saini, SSP stood mentioned in the record of the case before the Bench. The chargesheet filed after investigation of allegations in the FIR dated 19. 8. 1991 and in the judgment of the Trial Court dated 1. 12. 2006 speak that the attack was made on him. It is wrong that his name has been added by the Presiding Judge in the Bench for his personal revenge on his personal knowledge.

So far as names of two proclaimed offenders, who had been killed in an encounter are concerned, it has been mentioned in the BHULLAR & ORS. ETC [DR. S. S. CHAUHAN, J. ] chargesheet itself that Navneet Singh and Gurjant Singh, proclaimed offenders, had been killed in encounters. However, such fact could not be brought to the notice of the High Court by the public prosecutor. The State of Punjab filed an application for intervention but did not raise any issue of bias or prejudice against the Presiding Judge of the Bench. The Union Territory of Chandigarh has approached this Court against the same impugned judgment and order and special leave petition has been dismissed in fimine. More so, after conducting a preliminary enquiry, the CBI has registered a First Information Report (hereinafter called the "FIR") on 2. 7. 2008 which should not be quashed. The CBI be permitted to investigate the cases. Thus, the appeals are liable to be dismissed. 9.

We have considered the rival submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. LEGAL ISSUES : I. JUDICIAL BIAS 10. There may be a case where allegations may be made against a Judge of having bias/prejudice at any stage of the proceedings or after the proceedings are over. There. may be some substance in it or it may be made for ulterior purpose or in a pending case to avoid the Bench if a party apprehends that judgment may be delivered against him. Suspicion or bias disables an officiai from acting as an adjudicator. Further, if such allegation is made without any substance, it would be disastrous to the system as a whole, for the reason, that it casts doubt upon a Judge who has no personal interest in the outcome of the controversy. 11. In respect of judicial bias, the statement made by Frank J.

of the United States is worth quoting:- "lf, however, 'bias' and 'partiality' be defined to mean the total absence of preconceptions in the mind of the Judge, then no one has ever had a fair trial and no one will. The human mind, even at infancy, is no blank piece of paper. We are born with predispositions ....... Much harm is done by the myth that, merely by....... taking the oath of office as a judge, a man ceases to be human and strips himself of all predilections, becomes a passionless thinking machine. " [In re: Linahan, 138 F. 2nd 650 (1943)] (See also: State of West Bengal & Ors. v. Shivananda Pathak & Ors. , AIR 1998 SC 2050). 12. To recall the words of Mr. Justice Frankfurter in Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia v. Franklin S. Po/lak, 343 US 451 (1952) 466: The Judicial process demands that a judge moves within the framework of relevant legal rules and the covenanted modes of thought for ascertaining them.

He must think dispassionately and submerge private feeling on every aspect of a case. There is a good deal of shallow talk that the judicial robe does not change the man within it. It does. The fact is that, on the whole, judges do lay aside private views in discharging their judicial functions. This is achieved through training, professional habits, self-discipline and that fortunate alchemy by which men are loyal to the obligation with which they are entrusted. 13. In Bhajan Lal, Chief Minister, Haryana v. Mis. Jindal Strips Ltd. & Ors. , (1994) 6 SCC 19, this Court observed that there may be some consternation and apprehension in the mind of a party and undoubtedly, he has a right to have fair trial, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The apprehension of bias must be reasonable, i. e. which a reasonable person can entertain.

Even in that case, he has no right to ask for a change of Bench, for the reason that such an apprehension may be inadequate and he cannot be permitted to have the Bench of his choice. The Court held as under:- BHULLAR & ORS. ETC [DR. B. S. CHAUHAN, J. ] "Bias is the second limb of natural justice. Prima facie no one should be a judge in what is to be regarded as 'sua causa', whether or not he is named as a party. The decision-maker should have no interest by way of gain or detriment in the outcome of a proceeding. Interest may take many forms. It may be direct, it may be indirect, it may arise from a personal relationship or from a relationship with the subject-matter, from a close relationship or from a tenuous one. " 14. The principle in these cases is rlerived from the legal maxim - nemo debet esse judex in causa propria sua. It applies only when the interest attributed is such as to render the case his own cause.

This principle is required to be observed by all judicial and quasi-judicial authorities as nonobservance thereof, is treated as a violation of the principles of natural justice. (Vide: Rameshwar Bhartia v. The State of Assam, AIR 1952 SC 405; Mineral Development Ltd. v. The State of Bihar &Anr. , AIR 1960 SC 468; Meenglas Tea Estate v. The Workmen, AIR 1963 SC 1719; and The Secretary to the Government, Transport Department, Madras v. Munuswamy Mudaliar & Ors. , AIR 1988 SC 2232). The failure to adhere to this principle creates an apprehension of bias on the part of the Judge. The question is not whether the Judge is actually biased or, in fact, has really not decided the matter impartially, but whether the circumstances are such as to create a reasonable apprehension in the mind of others that there is a likelihood of bias affecting the decision. (Vide: AU. Kureshi v. High Court of Gujarat &Anr. , (2009) 11 SCC 84; and Mohd. Yunus Khan v. State of U. P. & Ors. , (2010) 10 SCC 539).

15. In Manak Lal, Advocate v. Dr. Prem Chand Singhvi & Ors. , AIR 1957 SC 425, this Court while dealing with the issue of bias held as under: "Actual proof of prejudice in such cases may make the appellant's case stronger but such proof is not necessary.... What is relevant is the reasonableness of the apprehension in that regard in the mind of the appellant. " 16. The test of real likelihood of bias is whether a reasonable person, in possession of relevant information, would 8 have thought that bias was likely and whe:her the adjudicator was likely to be disposed to decide the matter only in a particular way. Public policy requires that there should be no doubt about the purity of the adjudication process/administration of justice. The Court has to proceed observing the minimal requirements of natural justice, i. e. , the Judge has to act fairly and without bias and in good faith.

A judgment which is the result of bias or want of impartiality, is a nullity and the trial "coram non judice". Therefore, the consequential order, if any, is liable to be quashed. (Vide: Vassi/iades v. Vassiliades, AIR 1945 PC 38; S. Parthasarathi v. State of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 1973 SC 2701; and Ranjit Thakur v. Union of India & Ors. , AIR 1987 SC 2386). 17. In Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra & Anr. , (2002) 4 SCC 388, this Court observed that public confidence in the judiciary is said to be the basic criterion of judging the justice delivery system. If any act or action, even if ii is a passive one, erodes or is even likely to erode the ethics of judiciary, the matter needs a further look.

In the event, there is any affectation of such an administration of justice either by way of infraction of natural justice or an order being passed wholly without jurisdiction or affectation of public confidence as regards the doctrine of integrity in the justice delivery system, technicality ought not to outweigh the course of justice - the same being the true effect of the doctrine of ex debito justitiae. It is enough if there is a ground of an appearance of bias. While deciding the said case, this Court placed reliance upon the judgment of the House of Lords in Ex Parle Pinochet Ugarte (No. 2) 1999 All ER, 577, in which the House of Lords BHULLAR & ORS. ETC [DR. B. S. CHAUHAN, J. ] on 25. 11. 1998, restored warrant of arrest of Senator Pinochet who was the Head of the State of Chile and was to stand trial in Spain for some alleged offences.

It came to be known later that one of the Law Lords (Lord Hoffmann), who heard the case, had links with Amnesty International (Al) which had become a party to the case. This was not disclosed by him at the time of the hearing of the case by the House. Pinochet Ugarte, on coming to know of that fact, sought reconsideration of the said judgment of ttie House of Lords on the ground of appearance of bias and not actual bias. On the principle of disqualification of a Judge to hear a matter on the ground of appearance of bias, it was pointed out: "An appeal to the House of Lords will only be reopened where a party though no fault of its own, has been subjected to an unfair procedure. A decision of the House of Lords will not be varied or rescinded merely because it is subsequently thought to be wrong. " 18. In Locabail (UK) Ltd. v. Bayfield Properties Ltd.

&Anr, (2000) 1 All ER 65, the House of Lords considered the issue of disqualification of a Judge on the ground of bias and held that in applying the real danger or possibility of bias test, it is often appropriate to inquire whether the Judge knew of the matter in question. To that end, a reviewing court may receive a written statement from the Judge. A Judge must recuse himself from a case before any objection is made or if the circumstances give rise to automatic disqualification or he feels personally embarrassed in hearing the case. If, in any other case, the Judge becomes aware of any matter which can arguably be said to give rise to a real danger of bias, it is generally desirable that disclosure should be made to the parties in advance of the hearing. Where objection is then made, it will be as wrong for the Judge to yield to a tenuous or frivolous objection as it will be to ignore an objection of ·substance.

However, if there is real ground for doubt, that doubt must be resolved in favour of recusal. Where, following appropriate disclosure by the Judge, a party raises no objection to the Judge hearing or continuing to hear a case, that party cannot