Delhi HC directs prosecuting agencies to file status reports in bail matters on affidavits

The Delhi High Court Thursday directed all prosecuting agencies to file status reports in bail matters on affidavits mentioning details relating to the relevant crime, stage of the investigation, whether a charge-sheet had been filed, charges framed, the criminal antecedents of the accused, etc.

Justice Suresh Kumar Kait observed that the court had come across various status reports filed by prosecuting agencies where most often, the details required were not mentioned. He also referred to a decision of the Gujarat High Court Thakore Laxmanji vs. the State of Gujarat decided on 14.02.1992, in which the high court had prescribed a proforma for filing a status report when bail applications were opposed by the state.

The court directed that the order be communicated to the Delhi Commissioner of Police, CBI Director, Director General of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Director, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other prosecuting agencies who in turn will issue necessary directions to the concerned Investigating Agencies to file status reports in affidavits as per details mentioned in the Gujarat High Court decision.

The Court’s direction came while it was hearing a bail application filed by Mohd. Danish, an accused in the Delhi riots case. It issued notice to the Delhi Police calling for a status report and listed the matter for further hearing on December 15.

Danish is being represented by senior advocate Salman Khurshid, assisted by advocate Bilal Ahwar Khan.

Read Order

http://theleaflet.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1606447363285_2020.pdf