MELARAM vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

Heard.

The present petition is against the order dated 05.02.2018, whereby an application filed by the petitioners/accused under Section 311 Cr.P.C. was

dismissed on the ground that no reasons exist to allow the witness to be cross-examined by the senior Advocate coupled with the fact that the

witnesses have not deposed anything on merits.

Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that two witnesses were examined on 14.12.2017 & 15.12.2017 and on that date the senior

counsel of the accused could not appear and the witnesses were cross-examined by the junior and the statement of one of the witness would show

that contradictory averments were made, which needs to be clarified as otherwise in absence of that the petitioner may suffer irreparable loss and the

said defect could not be justified and corrected subsequently.

Perused the order. The order reflects that an application under Section 311 Cr.P.C. was moved on the ground that on 14.12.2017 & 15.12.2017 two

witnesses namely Laxmi Prasad Tiwari and Ramesh Yadav were examined but since the senior advocate could not appear, as such they could not be

cross-examined and adequate cross-examination was not made, therefore, they may be summoned for re-examination. The Court rejected the said

application on the ground that no justification has been shown to re-examine the witnesses on the ground that the senior was not available and further

the Court observed that one of the witness namey Ramesh Yadav has turned hostile and one witness Laxmi Prasad Tiwari has only deposed about

the map, therefore, cross-examination of the witnesses may not be required on merits.

Perused the statements of Laxmi Prasad Tiwari (PW-1) and Ramesh Yadav (PW-2). Laxmi Prasad Tiwari has only deposed about the map and

Ramesh Yadav though he has been declared hostile but it appears that certain contradictory statements have been made. Further taking into the stage

of the trial it is felt that it would be the duty of the Court to determine the truth and render the just decision and the statement on record would show

that it is not a case that Court cannot pass a judgment without cross-examine of the witness but statement would show that it may result into failure of

justice without cross-examination of such witness.

In a result, the application under section 311 Cr.P.C is allowed and in order to advance the cause of justice on merits one opportunity is granted to

reexamine the witness i.e. Ramesh Yadav (PW-2) to the accused. In the circumstances. The order dated 05.02.2018 is modified to the extent that

Ramesh Yadav (PW-2) is allowed to be cross-examined and shall be recalled as a witness in the case as no prejudice would be caused to the

prosecution even if such application is allowed.

With such observation, the petition stands allowed.