Shahid Balwa v. Union of India and Others
K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J. 1. We are, in these cases,
called upon to examine the question whether two orders
F passed by this Court on 11.04.2011 and 09.11.2012 in Civil
Appeal No.10660 of 2010, in exercise of powers conferred on
this Court under Articles 136 and 142 of the Constitution of
India, while monitoring the investigation of 2G related cases,
are liable to be recalled, de hors the rights guaranteed to the
G Petitioners to invoke the jurisdiction of this Court under Articles
32 and 136 of the Constitution of India, if aggrieved by the
orders passed by the Special Court dealing with 2G Spectrum
case.
2. Civil Appeal No.10660 of 2010, in which the above
H mentioned orders have been passed, was filed under Article
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 59
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
136 of the Constitution of India by special leave, praying for a A
Court monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) or by a SpeCial Investigating Team into what
was described as the 2G Spectrum Scam and also for a
direction to investigate the role played by A. Raja, the then
Union Minister for Department of Telecommunications (DoT), B
senior officers of DoT, middlemen, businessmen and others.
Before this Court, it was pointed out that the CBI had lodged a
first information report on 21.10.2009 alleging that during the
years 2000-2008 certain officials of the DoT entered into a
criminal conspiracy with certain private companies and c
misused their official position in the grant of Unified Access
Licenses causing wrongful loss to the nation, which was
estimated to be more than Rs.22,000 crores. CBI, following that,
registered a case No.RC-DAl-2009-A-0045(2G Spectrum
Case) on 21.10.2009 under Section 120B IPC, 13(1)(d) of the D
PC Act against a former Cabinet Minister and others.
3. Before this Court parties produced large number of
documents, including the Performance Audit Report (Draft and
Final) prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
(CAG) on the issue of licence and allocation of 2G Spectrum E
by DoT, Ministry of Communications and Information and
Technology for the period from 2003-2004 to 2009-2010.
Report of the CAG, was submitted to the President of India,
as per Article 151 of the Constitution of India. The Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC) also conducted an inquiry under F
Section 8(d) of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003
and noticed grave irregularities in the grant of licences. The
eve on 12.10.2009 had forwarded the enquiry report to the
Director, CBI to investigate into the matter to establish the
criminal conspir~cy in the allocation of 2G Spectrum under G
UASL policy of OoT and to bring to book all wrongdoers.
4. After taking into consideration of all those factors,
including the report of the CVC as well as the findings recorded
A by the CAG, this Court agreed for a Court monitored
investigation and held as follows:
"We are, prima facie, satisfied that the allegations
contained in the writ petition and the affidavits filed before
this Court, which are supported not only by the documents
produced by them, but also the report of the Central
Vigilance Commission, which was forwarded to the
Director, CBI on 12.10.2009 and the findings recorded by
the CAG in the Performance Audit Report, need a
thorough and impartial investigation. However, at this
stage, we do not consider it necessary to appoint a
Special Team to investigate what the appellants have
described as 2G Spectrum Scam because the
Government of India has, keeping in view the law laid down
in Vineet Narain's case and others passed in other cases,
agreed for a Court monitored investigation."
5. This Court, with a view to ensure a comprehensive and
co-ordinated investigation by the CBI and the Enforcement
Directorate, gave the following directions vide its order dated
16.12.2010:
(i} The CBI shall conduct thorough investigation into
various issues high-lighted in the report of the
Central Vigilance Commission, which was
forwarded to the director, CBI vide letter dated
12.10.2009 and the report of the CAG, who have
prima facie found serious irregularities in the grant
of licences to 122 applicants, majority of whom are
said to be ineligible, the blatant violation of the
terms and conditions of licences and huge loss to
the public exchequer running into several thousand
crores. The CBI should also probe how licences
were granted to large number of ineligible
applicants and who was responsible for the same
and why the TRAI and the DoT did not take action
against those licensees who sold their stake/
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 61
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
equities for many thousand crores and also against A
those who failed to fulfill rollout obligations and
comply with other conditions of licence.
(ii) The CBI shall conduct the investigation without
being influenced by any functionary, agency or B instrumentality of the State and irrespective of the
position, rank or status of the person to be
investigated/probed.
(iii) The CBI shall, if it has already not registered first
information report· in the context of the alleged c
irregularities committed in the grant of licences from
2001 to 2006-2007, now register a case and
conduct thorough investigation with particular
emphasis on the loss caused to the public
exchequer and corresponding gain to the licensees/ D
service providers and also on the issue of allowing
use of dual/alternate technology by some service
providers even before the decision was made public
vide press release dated 19.10.2007.
(iv) The CBI shall also make investigation into the E
allegation of grant of huge loans by the public sector
and other banks to some of the companies which
have succeeded in obtaining licences in 2008 and
find out whether the officers of the DoT were F signatories to the loan agreement executed by the
private companies and if so, why and with whose
permission they did so.
(v) The Directorate of Enforcement/ concerned
agencies of the Income Tax Department shall G
continue their investigation without any hindrance or
interference by any ~me.
(vi) Both the agencies, i.e. the CBI and the Directorate
of Enforcement shall share information with each H
other and ensure that the investigation is not
hampered in any manner whatsoever.
(vii) The Director General, Income Tax (Investigation)
shall, after completion of analysis of the transcripts
of the recording made pursuant to the approval
accorded by the Home Secretary, Government of
India, hand over the same to CBI to facilitate further
investigation into the FIR already registered or
which may be registered hereinafter."
C 6. CBI and the Enforcement Directorate then used to
apprise this Court of the various stages of investigation and this
Court, on 10.02.2011, passed an order stating that since this
Court is monitoring the investigation of 2G Spectrum Scam no
court shall pass any order which may, in any manner, impede
D the investigation being carried out by the CBI and the
Directorate of Enforcement.
7. Learned Attorney General of India, it was pointed out,
had written to the Law Minister on the issue of creation of
E separate Special Court for dealing with the cases relating to
2G Scam and, for the said purpose, the Law Minister, in turn,
had written to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court seeking
nomination of a Special Court for the said purpose. Learned
Attorney General submitted before this Court on 16.03.2011 that
the Registrar General of the High Court of Delhi had conveyed
its decision to nominate Shri O.P. Saini, an officer of the Delhi
Higher Judicial Service, as the Special Judge to take up the
trial of cases relating to what has been described as 2G Scam.
The Court was also informed that two separate notifications
would be issued by the Central Government in terms of Section
G 3(1) the PC Act, 1988 and Section 43(1) of the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act, 2002 for establishment of the Special
Court to exclusively try the offences relating to 2G Scam and
other related offences. Following that, two notifications dated
28.03.2011 were published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary .
H on Monday, the 28th March, 2011:
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 63
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
8. The CBI submitted before this Court on 01.04.2011 that A
a notification had been issued under Section 6 of the Delhi
Police Establishment Act by the State Government for
entrusting the case relating to death of Sadiq Batcha to the CBI
and the CBI had indicated that it had no objection to take up
the investigation. The CBI also submitted before this Court that B
a Special Public Prosecutor had to be appointed to lead and
supervise the prosecution of the case relating to the 2G Scam
for which the CBI had suggested the name of Shri U.U. Lalit,
senior advocate of this Court.
9. The CBI, after completion of the investigation in the main C
case, noticed the commission of various other offences during
2007-09 punishable under Sections 120-B, 420, 468, 471 of
IPC against the accused persons, namely, Shri A. Raja and
others and the following substantive offences were state<;! to
have been made out against the following accused persons: D
"(a) Sh. A. Raja, then MOC&IT - the offence punishable ul
s 420, 468, 471 IPC & 13(2) r/w 13(1}(d) PC Act, 1988.
(b) Sh. Siddartha Behura, then Secretary, Department of E
Telecom- the offence punishable u/w 420 IPC & 13(2) rlw
13(1}(d} PC Act, 1988.
(c) Sh. R.K. Chandolia, then PS to MOC&IT- the offence
punishable u/s 420 IPC & 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) PC Act.
(d) Sh. Shahid Usman Balwa, Director, Mis Swan Telecom
Pvt. Ltd.; Sh. Vinod Goenka, Director, Mis Swan Telecom
Pvt. Ltd. and Mis Swan Telecom Pvt. Ltd. (now M/s Etisalat
DB Telecom Pvt. Ltd) through its Director - offences
punishable uls 42014681471 IPC. G
(e) Sh. Sanjay Chandra, Managing Director, Mis Unitech
Ltd. and M/s Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Pvt. Ltd.
through its Director -offences punishable uls 420 IPC.
(f) Sh. Gautam Doshi, Group Managing Director, Reliance H
I
64 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2013) 11 S.C.R.
A ADA Group, Sh. Hari Nair, Senior Vice President of
Reliance ADA Group & Sh. Surendra Pipara, Senior Vice
President of Reliance ADA Group & Mis Reliance
Telecom Ltd. through its Director - offences punishable
under section 109 r/w 420 IPC."
10. The CBI, on the basis of the investigation conducted,
submitted a charge-sheet against the above-mentioned
persons/companies before a Special Judge on 02.04.2011 and
Special Judge took cognizance of the aforesaid offences on
the same day.
11. This Court undertook the monitoring of the investigation
in view of the prayers made by the appellants and the request
made by the prosecution agency and the Government of India,
having regard to the larger public interest involved and· the
D necessity of a proper investigation and also with the ultimate
object of unearthing the crime.
12. Counsel appearing for the CBI suggested to this Court,
on 11.4.2011, the name of Shr.i U.U. Lalit, senior advocate, for
E the conduct of the criminal prosecution in the case on behalf
of the CBI as well as the Directorate of Enforcement and the
Court on that date inter alia ordered as follows:
"We also make it clear that any objection about
appointment of Special Public Prosecutor or his assistant
advocates or any prayer for staying or impeding the
progress of the Trial can be made only before this Court
and no other Court shall entertain the same. The trial must
proceed on a day-to-day basis.
All these directions are given by this Court in exercise of
its power under Article 136 read with Article 142 of the
Constitution and in the interest of holding a fair prosecution
of the case."
13. We found, in spite of the order passed by this Court
H on 11.04.2011 that no Court should entertain any prayer for ·
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 65
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
staying or impeding the progress of the trial, large number of A
writ petitions were seen filed before the Delhi High Court
praying for stay of the trial proceedings on one or the other
ground. The CBI noticing that entertaining of those cases would
violate the order passed by this Court on 11.04.2011, filed an
application before this Court for summoning the records of Writ B
Petition (Criminal) No.1587 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal)
No.1588 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) No.913 of 2012, Writ
Petition (Criminal) No.111 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal)
No.207 of2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) No.1478of2012, Writ
Petition (Criminal) No.1751 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) No. c
1752 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1754 of 2012, Writ
Petition (Criminal) No.206 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) No.
159 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 208 of 2012, Criminal
M.C. No. 4197 of 2011, Criminal M.C. No.67 of 2012, Writ
Petition (Criminal) No.129 of 2012, Writ Petition (Criminal) D
No.656 of 2012, Criminal M.C. No.4199 of 2011, Writ Petition
(Criminal) No.467 of 2012 and Criminal M.C. No.1060 of 2012
pending before the Delhi High Court and also prayed for stay
of all the proceedings of these cases.
14. This Court felt entertaining those cases by the Delhi E
High Court, at this stage, would violate the order passed by this
Court on 11.4.2011, passed an order on 09.11.2012 staying
those proceedings pending before the Delhi High Court.
15. Shri Ram Jethmalani, learned senior counsel, F
appearing for the petitioner in Writ Petition (C) No.548 of 2012,
prayed for recalling orders dated 11.04.2011 and 09.11.2012
on the ground that those orders would violate the rights
guaranteed to the petitioners under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C.
and Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India for moving G
the High Court. Learned senior counsel also submitted that
remedy, if at all, available under Article 32 is limited to
safeguarding the rights guaranteed under Part Ill of the
Constitution while the remedies available under Articles 226
and 227 of the Constitution have a wider scope, which cannot H
66 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2013] 11 S.C.R.
A be taken away by the impugned orders passed by this Court
while monitoring the 2G Scam.
16. Learned senior counsel also submitted that the
impugned orders have the effect of taking away the power of
8 the Court in granting reasonable adjournments under Section
309 of the Cr.P.C. and submitted neither sub-section (4) of
Section 4 nor Section 19(3) of the PC Act can take away that
right of the petitioners, but has been effectively curtailed by the
impugned orders passed by this Court. Learned senior counsel
C also submitted that this Court exercising powers under Articles
136 and 142 of the Constitution, has the power to only monitor
the investigation and once the investigation is over and charge
sheet has been filed, this Court should leave the matter to the
trial court safeguarding the rights of parties in questioning the
correctness or otherwise of the orders passed by the trial Court
D in appropriate Forums. Reference was made to the decision
of this Court in Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'La/an' (VIII) and Another
v. Union of India and others (2006) 6 sec 613 and Vineet
Narain and Others v. Union of India and Another (1996) 2
sec 199.
17. Shri Mukul Rohtagi, learned senior counsel, submitted
that right to fair trial is a right guaranteed to the parties under
Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and the impugned
order has the effect of negating those rights by shutting out all
F remedies available to the parties under Articles 226 and 227
of the Constitution of India to move the High Court. Learned
senior counsel placed reliance on the Judgment of this Court
in AR. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak and another (1988) 2 SCC 602
and submitted that in appropriate cases this Court has got the
G power to recall its earlier order in the interest of justice, if it is
satisfied that its directions will result in the deprivation of
fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens or any other legal
rights. Placing reliance on the Judgment of this Court in L.
Chandra Kumar v. Union of India and others (1997) 3 SCC
261 and Shalini Shyam Sheffy and another v. Rajendra
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 67
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
Shankar Patil (2010) 8 sec 600, learned senior counsel A
submitted that the rights conferred under Articles 226 and 227
of the Constitution of India are the basic structure of the
Constitution and the same cannot be taken away by exercising
powers under Article 136 and 142 of the Constitution of India.
18. Shri Harish Salve, learned senior counsel, submitted B
that the power of the Court to monitor the criminal investigation
should stop once the charge-sheet has been filed, leaving the
trial court to proceed with trial in accordance with the law. In
support of his contention reliance was placed on the Judgment C
of this Court in Jakia Nasim Ahesan and another v. State of
Gujarat and others (2011) 12 SCC 302 and the Judgment in
Ankul Chandra Pradhan v. Union of India and others (1996)
6 sec 354.
19. Shri K.K. Venugopal, learned senior counsel appearing D
for the CBI, submitted that there are no justifiable reasons for
recalling the impugned orders since those orders had been
passed in the larger public interest and that too based on the
request made by the Government of India virtually inviting this
Court's intervention for monitoring the investigation relating to E
2G Scam. Learned senior counsel referred to the CAG report
as well as the report sent by the eve to the 'CBI and submitted
that those reports would highlight the magnitude of loss suffered
by the public exchequer, which has been revealed by the
investigation conducted by the CBI. Learned senior counsel also F
submitted that this Court has undertaken monitoring of the
investigation due to the involvement of highly placed ·officers of
DoT and the then Union Minister for Telecommunications,
Members of Parliamerit, bureaucrats and businessmen.
20. Learned senior counsel also submitted that this Court, G
while issuing the orders dated 11.04.2011 or 09.11.2012, has
neither interfered with the proceedings pending before the
Special Court, nor attempted to supervise or investigate the trial
proceedings. On the other hand, this Court only ensured that
the progress of the trial be not impeded and the trial should go H
A on day-to-day basis. Learned senior counsel also submitted that
this Court has reserved its powers to entertain any challenge
against the orders passed by the Special Judge under Articles
136, 32 as well as Article 142 of the Constitution and hence,
no prejudice is caused to the petitioners.
8 21. We may, at the very outset, point out that CBI as well
as the Enforcement Directorate is yet to complete the
investigation of the cases relating to 2G Scam and the case
which is being tried by the Special Judge is only one among
them, wherein the charge-sheet has been filed and the trial is
C in progress. This Court,. taking into consideration the width and
ambit of the investigation which even spreads overseas and
the larger public interest involved, passed the orders impugned,
reserving the right of all, including the accused persons, to
move this Court if their prayer would amount to staying or
D impeding the progress of the trial. In case they have any
grievance against the orders passed by the Special Judge
during trial, they are free to approach this Court so that the
progress of the trial would not be hampered by indulging in
cumbersome and time consuming proceedings in the other
E Forums, thereby stultifying the preemptory direction given by
this Court for day-to-day trial.
22. Article 136 read with Article 142 of the Constitution of
India enables this Court to pass such orders, which are
F necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter
pending before it and, any order so made, shall be enforceable
throughout the territory of India. Parties, in such a case, cannot
invoke the jurisdiction under Articles 226 or 227 of the
Constitution of India or under Section 482 Cr.P.C. so as to
interfere with those orders passed by this Court, in exercise of
G its constitutional powers conferred under Article 136 read with
Article 142 of the Constitution of India. Or, else, the parties will
move Courts inferior to this Court under Article 226 or Article
227 of the Constitution of India or Section 482 Cr.P.C., so as
to defeat the very purpose and object of the various orders
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
69
passed by this Court in exercise of its powers conferred under A
Article 136 read with Article 142 of the Constitution of India.
PUBLIC INTEREST:
23. Public Interest compelled this Court to take up the
investigation in 2G related cases in exercise of its powers under 8
Article 136 read with Article 142, that too, on a request made
by the Central Government. CAG is stated to be the most
important Officer under the Constitution of India and his duty,
being the guardian of the public Purse, is to see that not a
farthing of it is spent without the authority of the Parliament. C
Article 149 of the Constitution of India empowers the CAG to
perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the
accounts of the Union and the State and Audit plays an
important role in the scheme of Parliamentary Financial Control
and it is also directed towards discovering waste, extravagance D
and disallow any expenditure violating the Constitution, or any
Law. CAG, in its report submitted to the President of India under
Article 151 of the Constitution of India, has commented upon
the manner in which the Unified Access Licences were granted
and projected that it caused wrongful loss to the Government E
to the tune of Rs.1. 76 lac crore. Of course, some acrimony had
erupted between the Central Government and the CAG's
estimate of loss, but it is reported to be substantial. eve also
conducted an enquiry under Section 8(d) of the Central
Vigilance Act, 2003 and noticed grave irregularities in the grant F
of licences. eve, on 12.10.2009, had forwarded the enquiry
report to that effect to the Directorate of CBI.
24. The nation and the people of this country are seriously
concerned with the outcome of cases involving larger public
interest, like one concerning 2G and this Court, as the guardian G
of the Constitution, has got the duty and obligation to see that
. the larger public interest and the interest of the nation is
preserved and protected. When larger public interest is
involved, it is the responsibility of the Constitutional Court to
assure judicial legitimacy and accountability. Public interest H
A demands timely resolution of cases relating to 2G Scam.
Prolonged litigation undermines the public confidence and
weakens the democracy and rule of law.
25. The Parliament, in its wisdom, has also noticed the
8 necessity of early disposal of cases relating to bribery and
corruption. Section 4(4) of the Prevention of Corruption Act,
1988 reflects the will of the Parliament that a Special Judge
shall hold the trial of an offence on day-to-day basis,
notwithstanding anything c~ntained iri the Code of Criminal
C Procedure. Section 19(3)(c) also states that, notwithstanding
anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, no Court
shall stay the proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption
Act on any other ground and no Court shall exercise the powers
of the revision in relation to any interlocutory order passed in
any inquiry, trial, appeal or other proceedings. Statutory
D provisions highlight the imperative need to eradicate the evils
of bribery and corruption. Larger public interest should have
precedence over the prayers of the petitioners, especially when
this Court has safeguarded their rights and given freedom to
them to move this Court, either under Article 136 or Article 32
E of the Constitution of India. Article 139A also reflects the larger
public interest, which enables this Court to transfer certain
cases which involve substantial questions of law, from one High
Court to another or to this Court, in such an event, it cannot be
contended that the parties are deprived of their rights to
F adjudicate their grievances under Articles 226, 227 or Section
482 Cr.P.C., before the High Court.
COURT MONITORED INVESTIGATION
26. Monitoring of criminal investigation is the function of
G investigating agency and not that of the Court - either of the
superior Court or of the trial Court. But unsolved crimes,
unsuccessful prosecution, unpunished offenders and wrongful
convictions bring our criminal justice system in disrepute.
Crores and crores of tax payers' money is being spent for
H investigating crimes in our country since every such incident is
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 71
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
a crime against the society. When the persons involved in the A
crime wield political power and influence, the possibility of
putting pressure on the investigating agency, which is no more
independent in our country, is much more. Common people will
be left with the feeling that they can get away with any crime
which tarnish the image not only of the investigating agency but B
judicial system as well. Once investigation fails, Court will face
with a fait accompli. Proper and uninfluenced investigation is
necessary to bring about the truth. Truth will be a casualty if
investigation is derailed due to external pressure and guilty gets
away from the clutches of law. c
27. More and more demands are now coming before the
Courts for its monitoring of investigation relating to crimes
committed by influential persons and persons who have political
influence, with the apprehension that they could derail the
investigation. Courts in public interest sometime have to take D
such a course in the larger public interest. That burden this
Court has discharged in various cases like Vineet Narayan's
case and Gujarat Communal Riot's case, etc. This Court has
taken the consistent view that once charge-sheet is submitted
in the proper Court, the process of Court monitoring E
investigation comes to an end and it is for that Court to take
cognizance of the offence and deal with the matter. But, so far
as the present case is concerned, we have already indicated
that charge-sheet has been filed only in one among the various
2G related cases. This Court, while passing the impugned F
order, only directed speedy trial and, that too, on a day-to-day
basis which cannot be termed as interference with the trial
proceedings.
28. We also, therefore, find no basis in the contention of
the petitioners that the orders dated 11.4.2011 and 9.11.2012 G
have the effect of monitoring the trial proceedings. No Court,
other than the Court seized with the trial, has the power to
monitor the proceedings pending before it. Order dated
11.4.2011 only facilitates the progress of the trial by ordering
72 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2013) 11 S.C.R.
A that the trial must proceed on a day-to-day basis. Large
backlog of cases in the Courts is often an incentive to the
litigants to misuse of Court's system by indulging in
unnece'ssary and fraudulent litigation, thereby delaying the entire
trial process. Criminal justice system's procedure guarantees
B and elaborateness sometimes give, create openings for
abusive, dilatory tactics and confer unfair advantage on better
heeled litigants to cause delay to their advantage. Longer the
trial, witnesses will be unavailable, memories will fade and
evidence will be stale. Taking into consideration all those
C aspects, this Court felt that it is in the larger public interest that
the trial of 2G Scam be not hampered. Further, when larger
public interest is involved, it is the bounden duty of all, including
the accused persons, who are presumed to be innocent, until
proven guilty, to co-operate with the progress of the trial. Early
0 disposal of the trial is also to their advantage, so that their
innocence could be proved, rather than remain enmeshed in
criminal trial for years and unable to get on with their lives and
business.
29. We fail to see how the principle laid down by this Court
E in AR. Antulay's case (supra) would apply to the facts of these
cases. We have found no error in the orders passed by this
Court on 11.04.2011 or on 09.04.2012. Therefore, th~ question
of rectifying any error does not arise. On the other h~rltil, as we
have already indicated, the purpose and object of1 passing
F those orders was for a larger public interest and for speedy trial,
that too on day-to-day basis which has been reflected not only
in the various provisions of the PC Act, 1988 but also falls within
the realm of judicial accountability.
30. We also find no reason to lay down any guidelines as
G prayed for by the petitioners in a Court monitored investigation.
In a Court monitored investigation, as already pointed out the
Court is not expected to interfere with the trial proceedings. The
conduct of the trial is the business of the trial judge and not the
court monitoring the investigation. A superior court exercising
SHAHID BALWA v. UNION OF INDIA 73
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.]
the appellate power or constitutional power, if gives a direction A
to conduct the trial on day-to-day basis or complete the trial in
a specific time by giving direction is not interfering with the trial
proceedings but only facilitating the speedy trial, which is a
facet of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. That being the
factual situation in these cases, the principle laid down by this B
Court in Rajiv Ranjan Singh "La/an" VI and another v. Union
of India and others (2006) 1 SCC 356, Brij Narain Singh v.
Adya Prasad (2008) 11 SCC 558 and Ankul Chandra
Pradhan (supra), are not applicable.
31. We, therefore, find no good reason either to frame c
guidelines to be followed by a constitutional court in relation to
monitoring of criminal investigation or any legal infirmity in the
orders passed by this Court on 11.04.2011 or 09.04.2012. Writ
Petitions lack merits and they are accordingly dismissed, so
also IA Nos.59, 61, 63 and 68 in Civil Appeal No.10660 of D
2010.
B.B.B. Matters dismissed.