Shashi Kumar Sharma vs State Of Rajasthan

This petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C for quashing of FIR No. 327/2020 registered at Police Station Gangapur City District

Sawaimadhopur for the offence under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 120B IPC.

Heard Learned counsel for both the sides and perused the material available on record.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that this FIR has been lodged after an inordinate delay of 36 years. The FIR deserves to be quashed.

Therefore, further investigation in the matter should be stayed and the petitioner should be granted interim protection from any sort of coercive action.

Learned Public Prosecutor submits that appropriate directions may be issued.

Since the contents of FIR prima facie constitute cognizable offence, the other alleged grounds for quashing the impugned FIR as per the legal

position expounded in State of Haryana Vs. Bhajan Lal [1992 (supp) 1 SCC 335] can only be disclosed after due investigation. Further, As per P.

Chidambaram Vs. Directorate of Enforcement [(2019) 9 SCC 24] the investigation is in the domain of the Investigating Agency and the Courts are

not supposed to interfere in the investigation. At the same time the accused is entitled to avail due legal remedies available to him for protection of his/

her personal liberty.

Therefore, in light of above legal position, it is not appropriate to stay the investigation in the matter, however, having regard to the above

submissions but without expressing any opinion on merits, it is directed that the investigation shall continue and the petitioner shall join the investigation

and shall appear before the Investigating Officer on or before 18.01.2021 and as and when he is called upon to do so. After completion of

investigation, the police report (Challan/FR) shall be presented before the concerned Court. However, the petitioner shall not be arrested without prior

notice of seven days.

It is made clear that in case the accused-petitioner fails to join the investigation, the Investigating Officer shall be free to arrest him forthwith, if so

required subject to bail order, if any.

Learned Public Prosecutor is directed to call for the status report of the investigation.

List the matter on 10.02.2021.