Supreme Court of India · 2017-09-15
RATANLAL vs PRAHLAD JAT
- Citation / case number
- SC 2012/22881
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- RATANLAL
- Respondent
- PRAHLAD JAT
- Author
- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE J. CHELAMESWAR
- Bench
- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S. ABDUL NAZEER HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE J. CHELAMESWAR
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to allow re-examination of witnesses under Section 311 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, emphasizing the need to ensure justice by allowing the best possible evidence. The Court noted that the Sessions Judge had dismissed the applications for re-examination on the grounds of delay and previous witness statements, but the High Court found merit in the witnesses' claims of having been influenced during their initial testimonies. The Court affirmed the High Court's ruling, stating that the Sessions Judge has the discretion to re-examine witnesses to meet the ends of justice.