#fair investigation

The Supreme Court awarded ₹6 lakh compensation for six years of wrongful undertrial custody in a kidnapping-murder case, holding that a fundamentally defective investigation - lacking a Section 65B certificate for electronic evidence, a Section 27 statement for recoveries, and relying on unclear CCTV footage - violated the accused's Article 21 rights. The ruling underscores the state's liability when investigative failures deprive a person of liberty.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that a complainant may invoke Section 193(9) BNSS to demand further investigation before charges are framed, rejecting the view that only the investigating agency can move such an application. The decision strengthens victim participation in ensuring a thorough probe at the pre-trial stage.

Madurai High Court rules that a petitioner's fear of biased investigation under BNSS Section 528 must be backed by concrete evidence of malafide conduct, not just subjective apprehension. The court directed disclosure of postmortem and viscera reports to ensure transparency while upholding police accountability in criminal probes.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Gwalior has directed the Superintendent of Police to complete a fair and impartial investigation into a citizen's formal representation within three months, affirming that the state's constitutional duty under Article 21 extends to ensuring timely, non-negotiable probes when public grievances are formally raised. This ruling binds all police authorities to treat representations not as administrative formalities but as triggers for enforceable constitutional obligations.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the Superintendent of Police to conclude the investigation in an SC/ST Act case within three months, invoking Section 482 CrPC to ensure procedural fairness and prevent undue delay. This ruling reinforces the judiciary’s role in enforcing accountability in sensitive caste-based prosecutions where investigative apathy often undermines justice.

Chhattisgarh High Court dismisses a petition under Section 528 BNSS seeking directions for a fair investigation, holding that inherent powers cannot be invoked without demonstrating abuse of process. The ruling underscores that courts will not intervene in routine investigative matters unless procedural fairness is egregiously violated.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court reaffirmed that courts can invoke Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to direct police to register an FIR and conduct a fair investigation where inaction leads to abuse of process, mob violence, or threats to life and liberty. This ruling underscores judicial oversight over police inertia in cognizable offenses, ensuring victims' access to justice and protection from further intimidation.

Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that police must examine exculpatory evidence like CCTV footage in FIRs; failure to do so violates fair investigation under Article 21.

Rajasthan High Court directs complainant to submit representation during investigation under BNSS, ensuring fair consideration of facts before probe completion.