RANJIT SINGH versus STATE OF PUNJAB

RANJIT SINGH versus STATE OF PUNJAB

Sessions Court cannot add an accused under Section 319 CrPC before the evidence collection stage; only after evidence is tendered during trial can Section 319 be invoked to array a new accused.

Parties
Appellant: Ranjit Singh; Respondent: State of Punjab
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
22 September 1998
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal From Order of Sessions Judge Confirmed by High Court
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Addition of Accused, Section 319 Cr PC, Sessions Court Jurisdiction
Criminal Law Addition of Accused Section 319 Cr PC Sessions Court Jurisdiction

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 5 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Ranjit Singh

Appellant

State of Punjab

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal From Order of Sessions Judge Confirmed by High Court

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Sessions Court can add a new person as accused before evidence collection stage under Section 319 CrPC

Ratio Decidendi

Sessions Court cannot add an accused under Section 319 CrPC before the evidence collection stage; only after evidence is tendered during trial can Section 319 be invoked to array a new accused.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Impugned order of Sessions Court adding appellant as accused set aside
  • Clarification that Sessions Court retains power to add any person to array of accused under Section 319 CrPC during evidence stage