HC notice to district judges regarding lost records

Allahabad, May 7 (UNI) Allahabad High Court has directed its registry to issue a circular to all district judges to communicate with police stations through the SSPs/SPs in charge of the districts to preserve police records to ensure that they are not weeded out or otherwise destroyed in cases, where the trial court records have been reported to be missing.

A bench comprising Justices Amar Saran and R N Mishra while passing this direction directed to immediately initiate police probe into circumstances of the loss of records, especially where foul play may be suspected.

The court passed this order in a criminal appeal filed by Bhajan Lal and others.

The court said a communication should also be immediately sent to the HC and the registry for obtaining immediate orders from the bench concerned, directing the district judges for immediate proceedings for reconstruction of lost records or re-trial, so that timely action may be taken.

Ensuring the guilty do not escape punishment and the process of justice is not derailed by the machinations of wily accused.

The court also ordered the registrar general of the court to take steps for issuing a circular to all district judges for communication to all subordinate courts for compliance on the lines suggested.

UNI