STATE OF PUNJAB vs SARWAN SINGH

The Supreme Court upheld the Punjab and Haryana High Court's acquittal of Sarwan Singh under Section 406 IPC, ruling that the prosecution was barred by limitation as per Sections 468 and 469 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Court noted that the alleged offence occurred on 22nd August 1972, and the charge-sheet was filed beyond the three-year limitation period specified in Section 468(2)(c). The judgment emphasized the importance of timely prosecution to ensure fairness in trials as mandated by Article 21 of the Constitution.