Headline
The Supreme Court of India states reinvestigation after acquittal violates the principle of double jeopardy.
Summary
The Supreme Court of India overturned the order of Madras High Court directing a de-novo investigation against a man acquitted of murder and kidnapping charges, quoting the protection against double jeopardy under Article 20(2) of the Indian Constitution.
Key Facts
- Case Name: P. Manikandan vs. Central Bureau of Investigation & Ors
- Judges Name: Justice CT Ravikumar and Justice Sanjay Karol.
- The appellant was acquitted by the High Court after being convicted by the trial court due to lack of evidence and defective investigation.
- Despite acquittal, the High Court ordered a fresh investigation of CBI, which led to a new chargesheet.
- The Supreme Court of India quashed the reinvestigation and subsequent proceedings.
Legal Insights
The Supreme Court of India stresses that reinvestigation for the same offense violates Article 20(2) of the Indian Constitution and Section 300 of Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C). It shed light that defective investigations do not justify reopening a case, barring exceptional situations under Articles 226 or 32 of Indian Constitution.
Impact
The ruling of the Supreme Court of India focuses constitutional protections against double jeopardy, restricting misuse of reinvestigation orders and protecting judicial integrity.
Why It Matters
This judgment protects the rights of acquitted individuals, making sure that they are not subjected to repeated prosecution for the same offense.
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