MOHD. IMRAN vs THE STATE GNCTD

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment delivered on: 04.08.2025 + CRL.REV.P. 1280/2024 & CRL.M.A. 33901/2024 MOHD. IMRAN .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Shamim A. Khan, Advocate versus THE STATE GNCTD .....Respondent Through: Mr. Naresh Kumar Chahar, APP for the State, with Inspector Vinay. CORAM: HON’BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA JUDGMENT DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J Introduction 1. A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in the early hours of 08.12.2019, when a massive fire broke out in the densely populated Anaj Mandi area of Sadar Bazar, Delhi, which claimed the lives of 45 innocent individuals. Most of the victims were labourers who had been asleep, unaware of the impending catastrophe. The scale and horror of the incident shook the conscience of the city and led to an investigation into the circumstances that allowed such a disaster to occur. CRL.REV.P. 1280/2024 Page 1 of 19 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:ZEENAT PRAVEEN Signing Date:04.08.2025 18:51:39 2. In connection with the said incident, the petitioner, Mohd. Imran, is one of the several persons arrayed as accused. He has approached this Court by way of the present petition, assailing the order dated 12.09.2024 [hereafter „impugned order‟] passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi [hereafter „Sessions Court‟] in SC No. 226/2020, arising out of FIR No. 204/2019, registered at Police Station Sadar Bazar, Delhi for offences punishable under Sections 304/308 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [hereafter „IPC‟]. 3. By way of the impugned order, the learned Sessions Court was pleased to frame charges against the petitioner for offence under Sections 304 (Part II)/308/35/36 of IPC, and alternatively, under Sections 304A/337/338/35/36 of IPC. 4. Aggrieved thereb