Allowed

Nageshwar Soni v. State of Rajasthan through Pp.

Rajasthan HC22 May 2025CRLAS/844/2018

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court allowed appeals against convictions for corruption and criminal conspiracy. It quashed the convictions and sentences, finding that the prosecution failed to specifically prove the demand and acceptance of illegal gratification, which are indispensable ingredients for offense under Section 7 and 13(1)(d) of the PC Act.

What did the court decide?

Convictions under Section 7, 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) IPC and 120b IPC quashed; appellants acquitted; proceedings under CPC Section 54 quashed to the extent of conviction; all appeals allowed.

Nageshwar Soni Vs State of Rajasthan through Pp. — Corruption | Rajasthan HC (2025)

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[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

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HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR

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S.B. Criminal Appeal (Sb) No. 1018/2018

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Rattaram S/o Shri Bksharam B/c Vishnoi, R/o Lai Ki Dhani, Ps Merta, District Nagaur, Mukhya Arkshak Number 370, Police Chowki Julmi, Ps Suket, District Kota. At Present In Central Jail, Kota.

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Shyam Sundar S/o Shri Ramjilal B/c Brahman, R/o Dhabawali, Ps Thoi, District Sikar, Constable No.629, Police Chowki Julmi, Ps Suket, District Kota. At Present In Central Jail, Kota.

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----Appellants

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Versus

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State Of Rajasthan Through Pp.

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----Respondent

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Connected With

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S.B. Criminal Appeal (Sb) No. 844/2018

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Nageshwar Soni S/o Shri Laxmi Narayan B/c Soni, R/o Village Julmi, Police Station Suket, District Kota, Raj. At Present In Central Jail, Kota.

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----Appellant

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Versus

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State Of Rajasthan Through Pp.

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----Respondent

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For Appellant(s) : Mr. Arvind Kumar Gupta, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Rinesh Gupta, Adv. Mr. Saurabh Pratap Singh, Adv. Mr. Gaurav Sharma, Adv. Mr. Sarwat Alam, Adv. Mr. Kapil Gupta, Adv. with Mr. Ajeet Singh Shaktawat, Adv. Mr. Dharmendra Kumar, Adv. Mr. Chitransh Saxena, Adv. Ms. Anisha Yadav, Adv. Mr. Ankit Kumar, Adv.

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[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

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Mr. Abhimanyu Chundwat, Adv. & Mr. Sushil Yadav, Adv. Mr. B N Sandu, Adv. with Mr. Parth Sandu, Adv. For : Mr. Tapesh Agarwal, PP Respondent(s)

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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE UMA SHANKER VYAS

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Judgment / Order

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RESERVED ON : 20/05/2025 PRONOUNCED ON : 22/05/2025

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1& vihykFkhZx.k@vfHk;qDr jRrkjke o ';kelqanj }kjk ,dyihB nkf.Md vihy la-&1018@2018 rFkk vfHk;qDr ukxs'oj }kjk ,dyihB nkf.Md vihy la[;k&844@2018 fo}ku U;k;ky; fo'ks"k U;k;k/kh'k] ls'ku U;k;ky;] Hkz"Vkpkj fuokj.k vf/kfu;e] dksVk ¼ftls vkxs Þfopkj.k U;k;ky;ß dgk tk;sxk½ }kjk ls'ku izdj.k la[;k&54@2006 esa ikfjr fu.kZ; fnukad 23-04-2018 ls O;fFkr gksdj izLrqr dh] ftlds ek/;e ls vfHk;qDrx.k jRrkjke gSM&dkaLVscy rFkk ';ke lqanj dkaLVscy dks nks"kfl) vijk/k /kkjk 7 Hkz"Vkpkj fuokj.k vf/kfu;e] 1988 ¼vkxs vf/kfu;e&1988 dgk tk,xk**½ ds vijk/k esa rhu o"kZ ds dBksj dkjkokl o 5 gtkj :i;s ds vFkZn.M rFkk vFkZn.M vnk ugha djus ij rhu ekg ds vfrfjDr dkjkokl o nks"kfl) vijk/k /kkjk 13¼1½¼Mh½ lifBr /kkjk 13¼2½ vf/kfu;e&1988 ds vijk/k esa pkj o"kZ ds dBksj dkjkokl o nl gtkj :i;s ds vFkZn.M rFkk vFkZn.M vnk ugha djus ij Ng ekg ds vfrfjDr lk/kkj.k dkjkokl

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rFkk /kkjk 120ch Hkkjrh; n.M lafgrk ds nks"kfl) vijk/k esa N% ekg ds lk/kkj.k dkjkokl ls nafMr fd;k x;kA

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2& vfHk;qDr ukxs'oj] tks fd yksdlsod ugha gS] dks /kkjk 120ch Hkkjrh; n.M lafgrk lifBr /kkjk 13¼1½¼Mh½ lifBr /kkjk 13¼2½ vf/kfu;e&1988 ds vijk/k esa nks"kh fu.khZr dj pkj o"kZ ds dBksj dkjkokl o 5 gtkj :i;s ds vFkZn.M rFkk vFkZn.M vnk ugha djus ij Ng ekg ds vfrfjDr lk/kkj.k dkjkokl ls nafMr fd;s tkus dk vkns'k fn;k x;kA

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3& pwafd mijksDr nksuksa vihysa ,d gh vihyk/khu fu.kZ; o n.Mkns'k ds fo:) izLrqr dh xbZ gS] vr% bl ,d gh vkns'k ds ek/;e ls fuLrkfjr dh tk jgh gSaA fo}ku vf/koDrkx.k vfHk;qDrx.k dh cgl lquh xbZ o vfHkys[k dk voyksdu fd;k x;kA

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4& lqlaxr vfHk;kstu dgkuh ;g gS fd fnukad 16-06-2004 dks 10 ,-,e- ij ifjoknh tSrjke ih-MCY;w&8 }kjk Hkz"Vkpkj fujks/kd C;wjks] dksVk ¼vkxs ÞC;wjksß dgk tk;sxk½ ds le{k mifLFkr gksdj ,d fyf[kr fjiksVZ bl vk'k; dh izLrqr dh fd mlds pkpk jru yky ih-MCY;w&6 ds fo:) jkepanz us iSlksa ds ysu&nsu dks ysdj ,d fjiksVZ ntZ djokbZ gS] ftldh tkap vfHk;qDr jRrkjke gSM&dkaLVscy }kjk dh tk jgh gS] bl tkap esa pkpk dk i{k ysus ds cnys gSM&lkgc 4]000@&:i;s fj'or jkf'k dh ekax dj jgs gSaA bl fjiksVZ ij fnukad 16-06-2004 dks gh ekax lR;kiu djok;k rFkk fnukad 17-06-2004 dks ifjoknh tSrjke rFkk Lora= xokg ih-MCY;w&11 ';keyky ofj"B fyfid] ih-MCY;w&12 xtsUnz vxzoky ;w-Mh-lh- vkfn dks C;wjks ds

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dk;kZy; esa 8 ,-,e- ij cqyok;k x;kA ftudk vkil esa ifjp; djokdj iwoZ esa ekax lR;kiu ds :ikarj.k djokdj lHkh dks voxr djk;k x;k rFkk 3]500@&:i;s dh fj'or jkf'k nsus gsrq tSrjke us 500@&:i;s ds lkr uksV is'k fd;s] ftu ij C;wjks ds iqfyl fujh{kd }kjk y?kq gLrk{kj fd;s x;s] lqokyky eq[; vkj{kd }kjk fQukQ~Fkyhu ikÅMj yxok;k x;k vkSj ysu&nsu ds le; okrkZ dks fjdkWMZ djus gsrq ,d NksVk Vsi fjdksMZj ifjoknh dks fn;k x;k vkSj ifjoknh] xokgku o Vªsi ikVhZ lHkh ljdkjh okgu ls iqfyl pkSdh tqYeh] tgka jRrkjke inLFk Fkk] igqapsA

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5& vfHk;kstu dgkuh ds vuqlkj fnukad 17-06-2004 dks 1%30 ih-,e- ij iqfyl pkSdh tqYeh igqapus ds ckn ifjoknh tSrjke }kjk vfHk;qDr jRrkjke dks ekaxh xbZ 3]500@&:i;s dh fj'or jkf'k nsuk pkgk rks mlus dkaLVscy ';kelqanj vfHk;qDr dks ;g jkf'k fnykbZ] tks mlus fxudj viuh isaV dh ckbZa cxy dh tsc esa j[k yhA fu;r b'kkjk gksus ij tc Vªsi ikVhZ iqfyl pkSdh ij igqapus yxh rks jRrkjke gSM&dkaLVscy [ksrksa esa Hkkxus yxk] ftldk ihNk dj idM+kA ekSds ls ';kelqanj fj'or jkf'k ds lkFk Hkkxus esa lQy jgkA Vªsi dk;Zokgh ds nkSjku tks okrkZ fjdkWMZ dh xbZ mldk :ikarj.k djok;k x;kA vfHk;qDr jRrkjke us rRle; fj'or jkf'k ';kelqanj dks fnykus ls budkj fd;kA fnukad 17-06-2004 dks gh 4%30 ih-,e- ij ';kelqanj dkaLVscy dk lkSnku fllksfn;k dh [kku ij gksus dh tkudkjh feyh] mls idM+dj iqfyl pkSdh tqYeh yk;k x;k rks vfHk;qDr ';kelqanj us Hkh 3]500@&:i;s dh jkf'k izkIr djus

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ls budkj fd;kA mlds nkfgus o ck,a gkFk dh vaxqfy;ksa dks lksfM;e dkcksZusV o ty ds /kksou esa /kqyok;k tkdj dkap dh 'khf'k;ksa esa ysdj lhy eksgj fd;kA tkek ryk'kh esa ';kelqanj }kjk izkIr fj'or jkf'k cjken ugha gqbZ] ';kelqanj }kjk isaV dh ckbZa cxy dh tsc ds diM+s dks QkM+dj xk;c dj fn;k FkkA ckbZa tsc dks lksfM;e dkcksZusV o ty ds /kksou esa /kqyokdj /kksou dks dkap dh 'khf'k;ksa esa Mkydj lhy eksgj fd;kA jRrkjke ls mlds ikl yafcr tkap dh i=koyh tCr dh xbZ] mijksDr dk;Zokgh ds ckn ,Q-vkbZvkj- ntZ dh xbZA

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6& vfHk;kstu dgkuh ds vuqlkj vuqla/kku ds nkSjku ';kelqanj }kjk ;g crk;k x;k gS fd og Vªsi ds nkSjku Vªsi ikVhZ dks vkrk ns[kdj Hkkx x;k Fkk rFkk Hkkxrs le; ukxs'oj lksuh dks 3]500@&:i;s fj'or jkf'k lkSai nh FkhA ukxs'oj dh ryk'kh djus ds ckotwn og ugha feyk] mlds ?kj ij igqaps rks mldh eka us ikÅMj yxs 500@&:i;s ds lkr uksV ftuij iqfyl ds gLrk{kj Fks] ?kj ls fudkydj is'k fd;s] ftUgsa tCr fd;k x;kA jRrkjke us vkokt dk uewuk nsus ls budkj dj fn;kA vU; vuqla/kku iw.kZ dj jRrkjke o ';kelqanj ds fo:) vfHk;kstu Lohd`fr izkIr dj rhuksa vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) nks"kfl) vijk/k ds vkjksi es a vkjksi i= izLrqr fd;kA

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7& fopkj.k ds nkSjku vfHk;kstu i{k dh vksj ls nLrkosth lk{; ds vykok ekSf[kd lk{; esa dqy 17 xokgku ds c;ku ys[kc) djok;s x;sA vfHk;qDrx.k ds dFku varxZr /kkjk 313 n.M izfdz;k lafgrk ys[kc) fd;s x;s ftuesa vfHk;qDrx.k us

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lHkh vkjksiksa ls budkj fd;kA ckn fopkj.k vihyk/khu fu.kZ; ds ek/;e ls vfHk;qDrx.k dks mijksDrkuqlkj nks"kfl) o nf.Mr fd;k] ftlls O;fFkr gksdj ;g nksuksa vihysa izLrqr dh xbZA 08& fo}ku vf/koDrkx.k vfHk;qDrx.k dk fuosnu gS fd orZeku ekeys esa dfFkr fj'or jkf'k dh vfHk;qDRkx.k }kjk ekax o Lohdkj fd;s tkus dk rF; fdlh Hkh :i esa izekf.kr ugha gS] ifjoknh o lg&ifjoknh dze'k% tsrjke o jruyky i{knzksgh jgs gSa] vfHk;qDrx.k ls dksbZ cjkenxh ugha gqbZ gS] ek a x lR;kiu o ysunsu lR;kiu ds laca/k esa tks okrkZ fjdksfMZax dh x;h gS og vfHk;qDr jRrkjke dh gks] ,slk izekf.kr ugha gSA bl laca/k esa /kkjk 65 ch Hkkjrh; lk{; vf/kfu;e dk izek.k i= Hkh l{ke O;fDr }kjk izLrqr ugha fd;k x;k gSA var esa ;g fuosnu jgk gS fd vfHk;qDrx.k dh nks"kflf) gsrq i=koyh ij ys'kek= Hkh lk{; ugha gS] vr% vfHk;qDrx.k nks"keqDr gksus rFkk vihyk/khu fu.kZ; vikLr gksus ;ksX; gSA

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09& blds foijhr fo}ku yksd vfHk;kstd dk rdZ gS fd vfHk;qDr jRrkjke }kjk viuh vkokt dk uewuk nsus ls badkj fd;k gS] vr% ;g mi/kkj.kk yh tkos fd ekax lR;kiu o ysunsu ds le; tks okrkZ fjdksMZ dh x;h gS og vfHk;qDr jRrkjke o ifjoknh tsrjke dh gS vkSj mlh vuqlkj mldk :ikUrj.k izn'kZ ih- 19 o 18 fd;k x;k gSA mudk ;g Hkh fuosnu gS fd ';kelqUnj }kjk jRrkjke ds dgus ls fj'or jkf'k Lohdkj dh x;h gS rFkk og ekSds ls ;|fi Hkkx pqdk Fkk] ysfdu mldh isaV dh tsc ls fQukQ~Fkyhu ikÅMj yxk gksus ls /kksou dk jax xqykch vk;k gS rFkk ;g Hkh izekf.kr gS

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fd ;g jkf'k ';kelqUnj }kjk ukxs'oj dks nh x;h tks mlds dCts'kqnk ?kj ls cjken gqbZ gS] vr% ,slh fLFkfr esa nks"kflf) gsrq i;kZIr lk{; jgh gS] vihyk/khu fu.kZ; fof/klEer gksuk crkrs gq, ;g vihy [kkfjt fd;s tkus dk fuosnu fd;kA 10& mijksDr rdksZa ds lanHkZ esa iqu% vfHkys[k dk voyksdu fd;kA

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11& ih-MCY;w-&5 vdcj vyh rRdkyhu iqfyldehZ vijk/k 'kk[kk] dksVk xzkeh.k] ih-MCY;w-&6 jruyky lg ifjoknh o ihMCY;w-&8 tsrjke ds l'kiFk dFkuksa ls Li"V gS fd lg&ifjoknh ih-MCY;w-&6 jruyky ds fo:) jkepUnz ds }kjk ,d vkijkf/kd ekeys dh f'kdk;r izLrqr dh x;h Fkh ftldh tkap eq[; vfHk;qDr jRrkjke ds ikl yafcr FkhA Vªsi dk;Zokgh ds i'pkr ;g vuqla/kku i=koyh] tks jRrkjke ds ikl yafcr Fkh] tCr dh x;h gSA mijksDr ekSf[kd o nLrkosth lk{; ls Li"V gS fd lg&ifjoknh jruyky dk dk;Z gSM dkaLVscy vfHk;qDr jRrkjke ds le{k yafcr FkkA

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12& tgka rd vfHk;qDr ds fo:) fj'or jkf'k dh ekax o Lohdfr dk iz'u gS] bl laca/k esa rF;kRed fLFkfr ij fopkj djus ls iwoZ fo}ku vf/koDrk vfHk;qDr }kjk fof/kd fLFkfr ds laca/k esa izLrqr U;kf;d n"VkUrksa dk llEeku voyksdu fd;kA U;kf;d n`"VkUr B. Jayaraj Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh (2014) 13 SCC 55 dk lqlaxr iSjk 7 o 9 fuEukuqlkj gS&

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"7. In so far as the offence under Section 7 is concerned, it is a settled position in law that demand of illegal gratification is sine qua non to constitute the said offence and mere recovery of currency notes cannot constitute the offence under

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Section 7 unless it is proved beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused voluntarily accepted the money knowing it to be a bribe. The above position has been succinctly laid down in several judgments of this Court. By way of illustration reference may be made to the decision in C.M. Sharma Vs. State of A.P.[2] and C.M. Girish Babu Vs. C.B.I.[3].

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In so far as the presumption permissible to be drawn under Section 20 of the Act is concerned, such presumption can only be in respect of the offence under Section 7 and not the offences under Section 13(1)(d)(i)(ii) of the Act. In any event, it is only on proof of acceptance of illegal gratification that presumption can be drawn under Section 20 of the Act that such gratification was received for doing or forbearing to do any official act. Proof of acceptance of illegal gratification can follow only if there is proof of demand. As the same is lacking in the present case the primary facts on the basis of which the legal presumption under Section 20 can be drawn are wholly absent. "

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blh izdkj U;kf;d n`"Vkar P. Satyanarayana Murthy

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Vs. Dist. Inspector of Police And Anr. AIR 2015 SC 3549 ds iSjk la[;k&18] 19 rFkk 20 lqlaxr gSa tks fuEukuqlkj gSa&

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"18. This Court in A. Subair vs. State of Kerala (2009)6 SCC 587, while dwelling on the purport of the statutory prescription of Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) of the Act ruled that the prosecution has to prove the charge thereunder beyond reasonable doubt like any other criminal offence and that the accused should be considered to be innocent till it is established otherwise by proper proof of demand and acceptance of illegal gratification, which are vital ingredients necessary to be proved to record a conviction.

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In State of Kerala and another vs. C.P. Rao (2011) 6 SCC 450, this Court,

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reiterating its earlier dictum, vis-à-vis the same offences, held that mere recovery by itself, would not prove the charge against the accused and in absence of any evidence to prove payment of bribe or to show that the accused had voluntarily accepted the money knowing it to be bribe, conviction cannot be sustained.

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In a recent enunciation by this Court to discern the imperative prerequisites of Sections 7 and 13 of the Act, it has been underlined in B. Jayaraj (supra) in unequivocal terms, that mere possession and recovery of currency notes from an accused without proof of demand would not establish an offence under Sections 7 as well as 13(1)(d)(i)&(ii) of the Act. It has been propounded that in the absence of any proof of demand for illegal gratification, the use of corrupt or illegal means or abuse of position as a public servant to obtain any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage cannot be held to be proved. The proof of demand, thus, has been held to be an indispensable essentiality and of permeating mandate for an offence under Sections 7 and 13 of the Act. Qua Section 20 of the Act, which permits a presumption as envisaged therein, it has been held that while it is extendable only to an offence under Section 7 and not to those under Section 13(1)(d)(i)&(ii) of the Act, it is contingent as well on the proof of acceptance of illegal gratification for doing or forbearing to do any official act. Such proof of acceptance of illegal gratification, it was emphasized, could follow only if there was proof of demand. Axiomatically, it was held that in absence of proof of demand, such legal presumption under Section 20 of the Act would also not arise."

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13& ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; }kjk mijksDr fu.kZ;ksa esa tks O;oLFkk izfrikfnr dh x;h gS] mlds vuqlkj ;g Li"V gS fd yksdlsod vfHk;qDr ls jkf'k cjken gksuk i;kZIr ugha gS] vfirq

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fj'or ds :i esa vfHk;qDr }kjk ifjoknh dks vuqfpr ykHk igqapkus ds mnns'; ls fj'or jkf'k vFkkZr oS/k ikfjJfed ls fHkUu jkf'k dh ekax vkSj mldh Lohd`fr vko';d gSA 14& orZeku ekeys esa ifjoknh tsrjke }kjk fnukad 16-06-2004 dks C;wjks ds le{k ,d fyf[kr fjiksVZ izLrqr djrs gq, ;g vkjksi yxk;k gS fd mijksDr yafcr dk;Z ds laca/k esa i{k ysus gsrq vfHk;qDr jRrkjke gSM dkaLVscy mlls 4000@&:i;s dh fj'or jkf'k dh ekax dj jgs gSa] tks og ugha nsuk pkgrk gSA mijksDr f'kdk;r izLrqr gksus ij fnukad 16-06-2004 dks gh ekax okrkZ dk lR;kiu djokus gsrq ifjoknh dks ,d Vsi fjdksMZj esa dSlsV Mkydj fn;k x;kA ifjoknh }kjk fnukad 16-06-2004 dks ;g Vsi fjdksMZj okil ykdj fn;k ftl ij C;wjks ds }kjk lquk x;k rks mlesa dfFkr :i ls vfHk;qDr jRrkjke }kjk 3500@&:i;s fj'or jkf'k dh ekax djus dk rF; izdV gqvk] ftl ij fnukad 17-06-2004 dks Vªsi dk;Zokgh vk;ksftr dh x;hA fnukad 17-06-2004 dks nksigj dks ifjoknh dks 3500@&:i;s fQukQFkyhu ikÅMj yxkdj o fujh{kd ds gLrk{kj djrs gq, vfHk;qDr dks nsus gsrq iqfyl pkSdh tqYeh ij Hkstk] ml le; Hkh ,d Vsi fjdksMZj esa dSlsV Mkydj Hkstk rkfd ysunsu ds le; tks okrkZ gks mldk lR;kiu gks ldsA 15& vfHk;kstu dgkuh ds vuqlkj ekax lR;kiu rFkk ysunsu lR;kiu ds nksuksa gh voljksa ij vdsyk ifjoknh tsrjke vfHk;qDr jRrkjke ds ikl x;k vkSj mlh ds }kjk ;g fjdksfMZax ykdj izLrqr dh x;hA tsrjke mijksDr ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa egRoiw.kZ xokg gks tkrk gS] tks ih-MCY;w-&8 ds :i esa ijhf{kr

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gqvk gS] ijarq iw.kZr% i{knzksgh jgk gSA xokg tsrjke dk dFku gS fd og vius pkpk ds dk;Z ds fy, nks&rhu ckj iqfyl pkSdh ij x;k rks ogka ij ,d futh O;fDr nyky ds :i esa feyk ftlus 4000@&:i;s esa ;g dk;Z djokus dk vk'oklu fn;k] mlh O;fDr dh vkokt Vsi fjdksMZj esa ekax lR;kiu ds fnu o ysunsu ds fnu fjdksMZ dh FkhA mlds }kjk 3500@&:i;s dh fj'or jkf'k Hkh mlh nyky dks nh x;h Fkh] mldh gSM dkaLVscy jRrkjke ;k vU; fdlh iqfyldehZ ls dksbZ ckrphr ugha gqbZ] muds }kjk uk rks dksbZ fj'or jkf'k dh ekax dh x;h vkSj uk gh mUgsa fj'or jkf'k iznku dh x;hA

¶76

16& lg ifjoknh ih-MCY;w-&6 jruyky Hkh i{knzksgh jgk gS vkSj tkfgj djrk gS fd ogka ij ,d flikgh feyk Fkk ftlus dgk fd eSa gSM dkaLVscy ls 4000@&:i;s dke djok nwaxk] iSlksa ds ysunsu dh ckr tsrjke us r; dh Fkh] iSls fdlus ekaxs] fdlus fn;s] mls dksbZ tkudkjh ugha gS] og ekSds ij fdlh Hkh volj ij mifLFkr ugha FkkA bl izdj.k esa ih-MCY;w&11 ';keyky o ih-MCY;w-&12 xtsUnz vxzoky tks fd nksuksa ofj"B fyfid gS] mudks Nk;k xokg ds :i esa vuqla/kku ds nkSjku j[kk x;k Fkk] ;g nksuksa xokg Hkh vfHk;qDr jRrkjke vFkok ';kelqUnj }kjk ifjoknh i{k ls jkf'k ekaxus ds rF; dh iqf"V ugha djrs gSaA nksuksa xokg tkfgj djrs gSa fd muds lkeus fdlh us dksbZ fj'or jkf'k ugha ekaxh vkSj uk gh dksbZ ysunsu gqvkA Li"V gS fd bu nksuksa xokgku }kjk Hkh vfHk;kstu dgkuh dk leFkZu ugha fd;k x;k gSA ekax lR;kiu ds le; ihMCY;w-&4 ykykjke dkaLVscy dks ifjoknh ds lkFk Hkstk x;k Fkk

[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

[CRLAS-1018/2018]

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ftldk Hkh dFku gS fd og fnukad 16-06-2004 dks pkSdh ds vUnj ugha x;kA ifjoknh tsrjke vdsyk gh x;k Fkk] vr% ,slh fLFkfr esa vfHk;qDr jRrkjke }kjk ifjoknh ls dksbZ jkf'k dh ekax dh x;h gks vkSj Vsi fjdksMZj esa vkokt jRrkjke dh gks] bl xokg ds dFkuksa ls izekf.kr ugha gksrk gSA V s ªi dk;Zokgh fnukad 17-06-2004 dks vk;ksftr dh x;h gS rRle; Hkh vdsys ifjoknh tsrjke dks gh 3500@&:i;s dh jkf'k ysdj pkSdh esa Hkstk x;k Fkk] ml le; tsrjke o dfFkr :i ls jRrkjke ds vykok dksbZ mifLFkr ugha Fks] vr% ysunsu ds fnu Hkh vfHk;qDr jRrkjke }kjk dksbZ ekax dh x;h gks] ;g rF; izekf.kr ugha gksrk gS] D;ksafd tsrjke i{knzksgh gks pqdk gS vkSj vU; xokgku dks bl rF; dh tkudkjh Hkh ugha gSA

¶81

17& bl l a ca/k esa ekuuh; loksZPp U;k;ky; ds fu.kZ; jkeflag o vU; cuke duZy jkeflag] ,- vkbZ- vkj- 1986 lqizhe dksVZ ist 3 egRoiw.kZ gS] ftlds iSjk la[;k 32 esa fuEu O;oLFkk izfrikfnr dh x;h gS%&

¶82

Thus, so far as this Court is concerned the conditions for admissibility of a tape recorded statement may be stated as follows:

¶83

(1) The voice of the speaker must be duly identified by the maker of the record or by others who recognise his voice. In other words, it manifestly follows as a logical corollary that the first condition for the admissibility of such a statement is to identify the voice of the speaker. Where the voice has been denied by the maker it will require very strict proof to determine

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[CRLAS-1018/2018]

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whether or not it was really the voice of the speaker.

¶88

(2) The accuracy of the tape recorded statement has to be proved by the maker of the record by satisfactory evidence - direct or circumstantial.

¶89

(3) Every possibility of tampering with or erasure of a part of a tape recorded statement must be ruled out otherwise it may render the said statement out of con text and, therefore, inadmissible.

¶90

(4) The statement must be relevant according to the rules of Evidence Act.

¶91

(5) The recorded cassette must be carefully sealed and kept in safe or official custody.

¶92

(6) The voice of the speaker should be clearly audible and not lost or distorted by other sounds or disturbances.

¶93

18& mijksDr fof/kd O;oLFkk ls Li"V gS fd Vsi fjdksMZj esa fjdksMZ dh x;h okrkZ dh vkokt vfHk;qDr dh gks] bl rF; dks izkajfHkd :i ls izekf.kr djus dk Hkkj vfHk;kstu ij gSA vfHk;kstu ds fy, ;g Hkh vko';d gS fd fjdksMZ dh x;h okrkZ ds ckn Vsi fjdksMZj dks fcuk fdlh NsMNkM ds lqjf{kr o lhycan voLFkk esa j[kk x;k rFkk mldk lgh :i ls :ikUrj.k djok;k x;kA orZeku ekeys esa mijksDr nksuksa okrkZ esa vfHk;qDr jRrkjke dh vkokt gks] bl rF; dks Lo;a vfHk;kstu i{k fdlh Hkh :i esa izekf.kr ugha dj ik;k gS] vr% ,slh fLFkfr esa ek= vfHk;qDr }kjk uewuk vkokt fn;s tkus ls badkj fd;s tkus ds dkj.k dksbZ foijhr mi/kkj.kk ugha yh tk ldrhA ;gka ;g Hkh mYys[kuh; gS fd Lo;a ifjoknh tsrjke

[CRLAS-1018/2018]

[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

(14 of 19)

tkfgj djrk gS fd og nyky dh okrkZ fjdksMZ dj ds yk;k FkkA jRrkjke dh okrkZ o vkokt bl Vsi fjdksMZj esa gks] bl rF; ls mlds }kjk badkj fd;k x;k gSA

¶98

19& ekax lR;kiu o ysunsu ds le; dfFkr :i ls fjdksMZ dh x;h okrkZ dk :ikUrj.k vfHk;kstu dgkuh ds vuqlkj izn'kZ ih- 19 o 18 gSA tks dfFkr :i ls C;wjks ds iqfyl fujh{kd eksrhyky eh.kk ih-MCY;w-&15 }kjk Nk;k lk{kh ih-MCY;w-&11 ';keyky] ih-MCY;w-&12 xtsUnz ds le{k rS;kj dh x;h gSA mijksDr ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa ih-MCY;w-&15 eksrhyky eh.kk iqfyl fujh{kd egRoiw.kZ xokg gks tkrk gS] tks vius dFkuksa esa tkfgj djrk gS fd ekax lR;kiu dk :ikUrj.k mlds }kjk ugha djok;k x;k Fkk] ysfdu dqN iz'uksa dk mRrj nsus ds mijkar og tkfgj djrk gS fd :ikUrj.k mlds }kjk lquk x;k Fkk] ysfdu iqu% dFku cnyrs gq, tkfgj fd;k gS fd :ikUrj.k 20 feuV esa lqudj rS;kj fd;k Fkk] ysfdu fdrus cts o dc rS;kj fd;k] mls /;ku ughaA :ikUrj.k esa fdl iqfyldehZ dh lgk;rk yh x;h] bl laca/k esa ;g xokg dksbZ dFku ugha djrk gSA ih-MCY;w-&11 ';keyky izn'kZ ih- 18 o 19 ij vius gLrk{kj gksuk tkfgj djrk gSA ;g xokg ;g Hkh tkfgj djrk gS fd eksrhykyth :d :d dj cksy jgs Fks vkSj lkeus okyk VkbZi dj jgk Fkk] mlus Hkh og fjdksfMZax lquh Fkh] ijarq jRrkjke }kjk dksbZ ekax dh x;h gks] ,slk mlesa mYys[k ugha FkkA xokg ;g Hkh tkfgj djrk gS fd og vfHk;qDrx.k dh vkokt ls ifjfpr uk rks igys Fkk vkSj uk vkt gSA vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk ifjoknh ls iSlksa dh ekax dh x;h gks] ,slk

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[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

(15 of 19)

mlus uk rks ns[kk uk lqukA ih-MCY;w-&12 xtsUnz vxzoky :ikUrj.k dh dk;Zokgh vius le{k gksuk tkfgj djrk gS] ijarq iqu% dFku cnyrs gq, tkfgj djrk gS fd :ikUrj.k igys ls gh rS;kj Fkk] mlesa fdldh vkokt Fkh] mls dksbZ tkudkjh ugha] mls rks ckn esa Vsi fjdksMZj lquk;k FkkA ih-MCY;w-&15 eksrhyky eh.kk ds dFkuksa ls ;g Vsi fjdksMZj lqjf{kr o lhycan voLFkk esa j[kk x;k gks vkSj xokg jRrkjke dh vkokt ls ifjfpr gks] ;g rF; izekf.kr ugha gksrk gSA

¶103

20& mijksDr foospukuqlkj izn'kZ ih- 19 o 18 ekax lR;kiu o ysunsu dh okrkZ dk rF; lansg ls ijs izekf.kr ugha gqvk gS] blesa vkokt vfHk;qDr jRrkjke dh gks] ;g fdlh Hkh xokg us fdlh Hkh :i esa izekf.kr o LFkkfir ugha fd;k x;k gS] vr% ,slh fLFkfr esa vfHk;qDr jRrkjke }kjk ifjoknh dk i{k ysus gsrq 3500@&:i;s dh fj'or jkf'k dh ekax dh gks] ;g rF; izekf.kr ugha gSA

¶104

21& tgka rd fj'or jkf'k fnukad 17-06-2004 dks vfHk;qDRk jRrkjke }kjk ';kelqUnj dks fnykus dk iz'u gS] bl laca/k esa ,d ek= xokg ih-MCY;w-&8 tsrjke gS vkSj og iw.kZr% i{knzksgh jgk gS] mlds }kjk tkfgj fd;k x;k gS fd mlus jRrkjke ;k ';kelqUnj dks dksbZ fj'or jkf'k ugha nh Fkh] cfYd fdlh ,d vU; nyky dks nh FkhA fj'or jkf'k ds ysunsu ds le; tsrjke ds vykok ekSds ij vkSj dksbZ mifLFkr ugha FkkA vfHk;kstu dgkuh ds vuqlkj tsrjke jkf'k lksaius ds mijkar ckgj vk;k rFkk b'kkjk fd;k rks ih-MCY;w-&9 f'koukjk;.k lksuh] ih-MCY;w-&16 ekstsUnz flag dkaLVscy] ih-MCY;w-&15 eksrhyky

[CRLAS-1018/2018]

[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

(16 of 19)

eh.kk] ih-MCY;w-&4 ykykjke] ih-MCY;w-&13 jkexksiky] ih-MCY;w&11 ';keyky o ih-MCY;w-&12 xtsUnz vxzoky pkSdh ds vUnj x;s rks jRrkjke pkSdh ds ihNs ds fgLls esa [kMk Fkk tks Hkkxus yxk rks idMk vkSj iwNrkN djus ij mlus fj'or jkf'k ysus ls ;k ';kelqUnj dks fnykus ls badkj fd;kA jRrkjke ds rRle; gkFk ds /kksou fy;s x;s] ysfdu mldk jax xanyk gqvk] xqykch jax gkFk esa ugha vk;k FkkA vfHk;kstu dgkuh Hkh ;gh gS fd jRrkjke us fj'or jkf'k ds gkFk gh ugha yxk;k] vfirq ';kelqUnj dks ;g jkf'k fnykbZ xbZ FkhA jRrkjke rRle; pkSdh ds ihNs okys Hkkx ls Hkkx jgk Fkk ftlus iqfyl us idMk vkSj ';kelqUnj ekSds ij Fkk gh ughaA vuqla/kku ds nkSjku C;wjks dks ;g Kkr gqvk fd ;g jkf'k ';kelqUnj dks fnykbZ gS] og uk rks ekSds ij Fkk vkSj uk gh rRdky mldh fxjQrkjh gqbZA djhc rhu&pkj ?kaVs ckn ;g Kkr gqvk fd og lkSnku dh [kku ij cSBk gS] iqfyl us mls fxjQrkj fd;k rks mldh isaV dh tsc QVh gqbZ Fkh] mlds gkFk o isaV dk /kksou fy;k rks xqykch jax gks x;kA C;wjks dh ;g dgkuh gS fd ';kelqUnj dh isaV dh tsc QVdj vyx gks j[kh Fkh] ysfdu Nk;k lk{khx.k us bl rF; dks izekf.kr ugha fd;k gSA ';kelqUnj ls rRle; dksbZ jkf'k cjken ugha gqbZ gSA ';kelqUnj iqfyldehZ gS rFkk Vªsi dk;Zokgh dh izfdz;k ls Hkyh Hkkafr ifjfpr gSA ';kelqUnj }kjk okLro esa dksbZ fj'or jkf'k yh tkrh] og ekSds ls Hkkxus esa lQy jgk rks fuf'pr :i ls ,d lkekU; izKk okys O;fDr ds :i esa og pkj ?kaVs rd viuh isaV dks lqjf{kr ugha j[krkA gkFkksa dks Hkh pkj ?kaVs rd ugha /kksos vkSj lk{; dks C;wjks ds fy,

[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

[CRLAS-1018/2018]

(17 of 19)

lqjf{kr j[ks] ;g LokHkkfod izrhr ugha gksrkA blds vfrfjDr ';kelqUnj ds }kjk fj'or jkf'k dh uk rks dksbZ ekax dh x;h gS vkSj uk gh mlls dksbZ cjkenxh gqbZ gSA

¶113

22& tgka rd vfHk;qDr ukxs'oj dk iz'u gS] mlds fo:) ;g vkjksi gS fd ';kelqUnj }kjk pkSdh ij fj'or jkf'k izkIr djus ds ckn Hkkxrs gq, ;g jkf'k ukxs'oj dks lksai nh rFkk dkykUrj esa ukxs'oj ds ?kj ls ;g jkf'k cjken gqbZA ih-MCY;w&15 eksrhyky Lohdkj djrk gS fd ';kelqUnj dks rhu fnu ds fy, fjek.M ij fy;k x;k Fkk vkSj mlds }kjk fj'or jkf'k izkIr dj ukxs'oj dks lksaius o cjken djkus ckcr dksbZ lwpuk ugha nhA ukxs'oj ds ?kj dh ryk'kh yh x;h rc rd vfHk;qDr ukxs'oj fxjQ~rkj ugha gqvk Fkk] mldh eka ihMCY;w&10 'kkafrnsoh dfFkr :i ls ?kj ij feyh ftlus dfFkr :i ls ;g crk;k fd lQkbZ djrs le; 3500@&:i;s feys] ftudks C;wjks }kjk tCr djuk crk;k x;k gSA

¶114

23& ih-MCY;w-&10 'kkafr nsoh i{knzksgh jgh gS rFkk Lora= Nk;k lk{khx.k tkfgj djrs gSa fd cjkenxh [kqys LFkku ls gqbZ Fkh vkSj mUgsa bl cjkenxh ckcr dksbZ tkudkjh ugha gSA 'kkafrnsoh ds dFkuksa ls Hkh vfHk;kstu dgkuh dh iqf"V ugha gksrh gSA ukxs'oj }kjk vU; lg vfHk;qDrx.k ds lkFk "kM;a= ds rgr fj'or jkf'k dh ekax ds mijkar mls izkIr fd;k gks] ;g rF; izekf.kr ugha gksrk gSA ukxs'oj ls dksbZ fj'or jkf'k mlds vuU; o psrU; dCts ls cjken ugha gqbZ gSA ;gka ;g Hkh mYys[kuh; gS fd ukxs'oj dfFkr :Ik ls jkf'k izkIr djus ds ckn Qjkj gks x;k Fkk rks fuf'pr :i ls og lcwr lqjf{kr

¶115

(18 of 19) [CRLAS-1018/2018]

¶116

[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

¶117

j[kus ds fy, ;g jkf'k vius ?kj ij ugha j[krkA rhuksa vfHk;qDrx.k dk bl fj'or jkf'k ds laca/k esa dksbZ vkijkf/kd "kM;a= o lgefr jgh gks] ;g rF; Hkh vfHk;kstu i{k izekf.kr ugha dj ik;k gSA

¶118

24& mijksDr foospukuqlkj rhuksa vfHk;qDrx.k dk ifjoknh ls fj'or jkf'k izkIr djus ds laca/k esa dksbZ vkijkf/kd "kM;a= jgk gks] muds }kjk fj'or jkf'k dh ekax dh x;h gks vFkok izkIr dh x;h gks vkSj cjken gqbZ gks] ;g rF; izekf.kr ugha gqvk gSA vfHk;kstu i{k viuh dgkuh dks fdlh Hkh :i esa o fdlh Hkh va'k dks izekf.kr ugha dj ik;k gSA fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; }kjk ek= d;kl o vuqeku ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;qDrx.k dks nks"kfl) fd;k gS] tks rF;ksa o fof/k ds vuq:i ugha gS rFkk fdlh Hkh :i esa fLFkj jgus ;ksX; ugha gSA ;g vihyk/khu fu.kZ; vikLr gksus rFkk vfHk;qDr nks"keqDr gksus ;ksX; gSA

¶119

25& ifj.kker% vfHk;[email protected] jRrkjke iq= cD'kkjke] ';kelqUnj iq= jkethyky o ukxs'oj lksuh iq= y{ehukjk;.k dh vksj ls izLrqr ;g nksuksa vihysa Lohdkj dj fo}ku fof'k"B U;k;k/kh'k] ls'ku U;k;ky;] Hkz"Vkpkj fuokj.k vf/kfu;e] dksVk }kjk fu;fer ls'ku izdj.k la[;k 54@2006 esa ikfjr vihyk/khu fu.kZ; o n.Mkns'k fnukafdr 23-04-2018 dks vikLr fd;k tkrk gS rFkk vfHk;qDr jRrkjke o ';kelqUnj dks Hkz"Vkpkj fuokj.k vf/kfu;e] 1988 dh /kkjk 7] 13 ¼1½¼Mh½ lifBr /kkjk 13¼2½ ,oa /kkjk 120 ch Hkkjrh; naM lafgrk ds vkjksi ls rFkk ukxs'oj dks /kkjk 120 ch Hkkjrh; naM lafgrk

¶120

[2025:RJ-JP:21513]

¶121

(19 of 19) [CRLAS-1018/2018]

¶122

lifBr /kkjk 13¼1½¼Mh½ lifBr /kkjk 13¼2½ Hkz"Vkpkj fuokj.k vf/kfu;e ds vkjksiksa ls vFkkZr lHkh vfHk;qDrx.k dks lHkh vkjksiksa ls nks"keqDr fd;k tkrk gSA

¶123

(UMA SHANKER VYAS),J

¶124

Murari Lal Sharma /Reserve

Nageshwar Soni v. State of Rajasthan through Pp.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Nageshwar Soni v. State of Rajasthan through Pp.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Cases cited

Statutes considered

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

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