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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.117 OF 2014
 

Smt.Jyotiben D. Parekh & Anr. ...Applicants  
vs.
Pradip Bhatt and others ...Respondents

Mr.Subodh Desai a/w Mr.Ranjit Shetty, Mr.Anurag 
Mankar i/b Argus Partners for the applicants 
Ms S.V.Sonawane, APP for the respondent No.4
Mr.Bipin J. Joshi for respondent No.3 

CORAM : A.S.OKA, &
   SMT.ANUJA PRABHUDESSAI, JJ.
              DATE : MARCH 1, 2017

P.C.:

1 It   is   pointed   out   that   to   the   affidavit­in­ 

reply filed by the first respondent who is the first 
informant,   copies   of   the   statements   of   four 
witnesses   recorded   by   the   police   during   the 
investigation   under   section   161   of   the   Code   of 
Criminal Procedure,1973 have been annexed.   We have 
perused   the   original   file   of   investigation.     It 
appears that the statements which are annexed to the 
affidavit   of   the   first   respondent   are   the   photo 
copies of the original statements in the file. The 
learned   counsel   for   the   first   respondent   on 
instructions states that the Sub Inspector of Police 
Shri   Mahendra   V.   Puri   who   was   then   attached   to 
Ghatkopar Police Station has provided the copies of 
the statements to the first respondent.   We accept 
the said statement.  The learned APP on instructions 

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states   that   now   the   said   Officer   has   been 

transferred to Mulund Police station. 

2 According   to   us,   providing   copies   of   the 

statements recorded under section 161 of the Code of 
Criminal Procedure,1973 to the first informant is a 
serious illegality committed by the concerned police 
Officer.     Even   as   of   today,   charge   sheet   has   not 
been filed. 

3 We   accordingly,   direct   the   Commissioner   of 

Police to nominate any senior Officer not below the 
rank of a Deputy Commissioner of Police to enquire 
into   this   aspect   and   submit   a   report   after 
ascertaining under what circumstances and under what 
provisions   of   law   that   the   photocopies   of   the 
statements recorded under section 161 of the Cr.P.C 
were provided to the first informant. 

4 Before   we   decide   the   petition   finally   at   the 

stage of admission, it will be necessary to have the 
said   report.   In   the   application,   specific 
allegations have been made against Shri Puri.

5 The   report   shall   be   submitted   to   this   Court 

within a period of three weeks from today. Place the 
petition   under   the   caption   of   `Fresh   Admission'   on 
27th March 2017.  
        
        
(ANUJA PRABHUDESSAI,J.) (A.S.OKA,J.)

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