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In The Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court of India heard appeals regarding the scope and applicability of Section 42 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which deals with the power of entry, search, seizure and arrest without warrant. Earlier judgments had conflicting interpretations of whether compliance with Section 42 was mandatory. The Court examined the objectives of the Act and relevant provisions. It held that non-compliance with Section 42, which requires written recording and reporting of prior information received, could prejudice the accused. However, such non-compliance may not necessarily vitiate the entire search action. Upholding the principle of an earlier case, the Court held that substantial compliance would be sufficient.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
106 views9 pages

In The Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court of India heard appeals regarding the scope and applicability of Section 42 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which deals with the power of entry, search, seizure and arrest without warrant. Earlier judgments had conflicting interpretations of whether compliance with Section 42 was mandatory. The Court examined the objectives of the Act and relevant provisions. It held that non-compliance with Section 42, which requires written recording and reporting of prior information received, could prejudice the accused. However, such non-compliance may not necessarily vitiate the entire search action. Upholding the principle of an earlier case, the Court held that substantial compliance would be sufficient.

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Ashish Davessar
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Equivalent Citation: 108(2009)CLT681(SC), 2009CriLJ4299, JT2009(10)SC360, 2009(5)MPHT123(SC), 2009(II)OLR(SC)628, 2009(10)SCALE255, (2009)8SCC539

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Criminal Appeal Nos. 36 of 2003 and 606 of 2004 Decided On: 29.07.2009 Appellants: Karnail Singh Vs. Respondent: State of Har ana Hon!"le #$%ges& K.G. Balakrishnan, C. ., R.V. Raveendran, D.K. Jain, P. Sathasivam and J.M. Panchal, . Co$nsels& !or Appellant"#etitioner"#laintiff: A.P.S. Deol, $r. Ad%., Harikesh Singh, Devinder Vir Singh, Ad%s. for A.#. &o'ant(, Ad%., Satbir Pillania, Anil Karna al and S!shil Bal ada, Ad%s !or Respondents"Defendant: Ra"eev Ga!r #$aseem#, Ra"eev Ran"an and %.V. George, Ad%s. S$"'e(t& Nar(oti(s S$"'e(t& Cri)inal A(ts*R$les*Or%ers& Narcotic Dr)*s and #s(c'otropic $)+stances Act, ,9-. / $ections 2,, 4,, 4,0,1, 4,021, 42, 420,1, 42021, 43, .0, .00,1, .0021, .0031 and .72 Narcotic Dr)*s and #s(c'otropic $)+stances 0Amendment1 Act, 200,2 Criminal #roced)re Code 0Cr#C1 / $ections 96 to ,03, ,6. and 3,3 Cases Referre%& A+d)l Ras'id 3+ra'im &ans)ri %. $tate of 4)5arat MA$&'S('))*+',))): 020001 2 $CC .,32 $a5an A+ra'am %. $tate of 6erala MA$&'S(')-,-',)).: 0200,1 6 $CC 692 $tate of #)n5a+ %. 7alde% $in*' MA$&'S(')+/,'.++0: 0,9991 6 $CC ,72: MA$&'S(')-12'.++-: ,994 031 $CC 2992 6ol)tt)mottil Ra8a9 %. $tate of 6erala 2004 041 $CC 46. Prior Histor & !rom t'e )d*ment and Order dated ,2.07.2002 of t'e :i*' Co)rt of #)n5a+ and :ar(ana at C'andi*ar' in Criminal Appeal No. 30./$7 of ,99Citing Referen(e& A+d)l Ras'id 3+ra'im &ans)ri %. $tate of 4)5arat MA$&'S('))*+',))) $a5an A+ra'am %. $tate of 6erala MA$&'S(')-,-',)). $tate of #)n5a+ %. 7alde% $in*' MA$&'S(')+/,'.++0 $tate of #)n5a+ %. 7al+ir $in*' MA$&'S(')-12'.++6ol)tt)mottil Ra8a9 %. $tate of 6erala #UD+MENT P. Sathasi,a)- #. ,. 3n t'e case of A"%$l Rashi% I"rahi) Mans$ri ,. State of Gujarat MA$&'S('))*+',))) : 2000Cri; ,3-4 : 020001 2 $CC .,3, a t'ree/ )d*e 7enc' of t'is Co)rt 'eld t'at compliance of $ection
,

Disc)ssed Distin*)is'ed Disc)ssed Disc)ssed Disc)ssed

-, of t'e Narcotic Dr)*s and #s(c'otropic $)+stances Act, ,9-. 0'ereinafter referred to as <ND#$ Act<1 is mandator( and fail)re to ta9e do=n t'e information in =ritin* and fort'=it' send a report to 'is immediate official s)perior =o)ld ca)se pre5)dice to t'e acc)sed. 3n t'e case of Sa'an A"raha) ,. State of Kerala MA$&'S(')-,-',)). : 200,Cri; 4002 : 0200,1 6 $CC 692, ='ic' =as also decided +( a t'ree/ )d*e 7enc', it =as 'eld t'at $ection -, =as not mandator( and s)+stantial compliance =as s)fficient. 3n %ie= of t'e conflictin* opinions re*ardin* t'e scope and applica+ilit( of $ection -, of t'e Act in t'e matter of cond)ctin* searc', sei8)re and arrest =it'o)t =arrant or a)t'ori8ation, t'ese appeals =ere placed +efore t'e Constit)tion 7enc' to resol%e t'e iss)e. 2. >'e statement of o+5ects and reasons of t'e ND#$ Act ma9es it clear t'at to ma9e t'e sc'eme of penalties s)fficientl( deterrent to meet t'e c'allen*e of =ell or*ani8ed *an*s of sm)**lers, and to pro%ide t'e officers of a n)m+er of important Central enforcement a*encies li9e Narcotics, C)stoms, Central ?@cise, etc. =it' t'e po=er of in%esti*ation of offences =it' re*ard to ne= dr)*s of addiction ='ic' 'a%e come to +e 9no=n as ps(c'otropic s)+stances posin* serio)s pro+lems to national *o%ernments, t'is compre'ensi%e la= =as enacted +( #arliament ena+lin* e@ercise of control o%er ps(c'otropic s)+stances in 3ndia in t'e manner as en%isa*ed in t'e Con%ention on #s(c'otropic $)+stances, ,97, to ='ic' 3ndia 'as also acceded, consolidatin* and amendin* t'e t'en e@istin* la=s relatin* to narcotic dr)*s, stren*t'enin* t'e e@istin* control o%er dr)* a+)se, considera+l( en'ancin* t'e penalties partic)larl( for traffic9in* offences, ma9in* pro%isions for e@ercisin* effecti%e control o%er ps(c'otropic s)+stances and ma9in* pro%isions for t'e implementation of international con%entions relatin* to narcotic dr)*s and ps(c'otropic s)+stances to ='ic' 3ndia 'as +ecome a part(. 3. ;et )s consider t'e $c'eme of t'e ND#$ Act and its rele%ant pro%isions. >'e ,9-. Act came into force on ,4.,,.,9-.. Certain pro%isions =ere s)+seA)entl( amended in ,9-9 and in 200,. C'apter 3B deals =it' offences and penalties ='ereas C'apter B deals =it' proced)re. $ection -. relates to po=er to iss)e =arrant and a)t'ori8ation. $ection -, =it' ='ic' =e are concerned relates to po=er of entr(, searc', sei8)re and arrest =it'o)t =arrant or a)t'ori8ation. $ection -1 relates to po=er of sei8)re and arrest in p)+lic place. $ection *) refers to conditions )nder ='ic' searc' of persons s'all +e cond)cted. >'e ND#$ Act prescri+es strin*ent p)nis'ment. :ence a +alance m)st +e str)c9 +et=een t'e need of t'e la= and t'e enforcement of s)c' la= on t'e one 'and and t'e protection of citi8ens from oppression and in5)stice on t'e ot'er. >'is =o)ld mean t'at a +alance m)st +e str)c9 in. >'e pro%isions contained in C'apter B, intended for pro%idin* certain c'ec9s on e@ercise of po=ers of t'e a)t'orit( concerned, are capa+le of +ein* mis)sed t'ro)*' ar+itrar( or indiscriminate e@ercise )nless strict compliance is reA)ired. >'e stat)te mandates t'at t'e prosec)tion m)st pro%e compliance =it' t'e said pro%isions. 4. >'e facts in A"%$l Rashi% I"rahi) Mans$ri .s$/ra0 =ere as follo=s: #C 2, 3nspector of #olice at Dariap)r #olice $tation, *ot information on. ,2/,/,9-- t'at one 3A+al $(ed :)sen =as tr(in* to transport c'aras )p to $'a'p)r in an a)toric9s'a=. At a+o)t 4.00 p.m. t'e( si*'ted t'e a)toric9s'a= ='ic' =as t'en dri%en +( t'e appellant. >'e( stopped and c'ec9ed it and fo)nd fo)r *)nn( +a*s placed inside t'e %e'icle. >'e police too9 t'e %e'icle to t'e police station and ='en t'e *)nn( +a*s =ere opened ten pac9ets of c'aras =ere fo)nd concealed t'erein. >'e %al)e of t'e said contra+and =as estimated to +e Rs. ..29 la9's. C'en appellant"acc)sed =as A)estioned +( t'e trial co)rt )nder $ection 1.1 of t'e Code of Criminal #roced)re 'e did not disp)te t'e fact t'at 'e rode t'e a)toric9s'a= and t'at t'e same =as intercepted +( t'e police part( and t'e *)nn( +a*s 9ept in t'e %e'icle =ere ta9en o)t and e@amined +( t'em at t'e police station. :is defence =as t'at t'ose fo)r *)nn( +a*s =ere +ro)*'t in a tr)c9 at C'o9'a 7a8ar +( t=o persons ='o )nloaded t'em into 'is %e'icle and directed 'im to transport t'e same to t'e destination mentioned +( t'em. :e carried o)t t'e assi*nment =it'o)t 9no=in* ='at =ere t'e contents of t'e load in t'e *)nn( +a*s. >'e >rial Co)rt acA)itted t'e acc)sed. 7)t, $tate of 4)5arat preferred an appeal +efore t'e :i*' Co)rt. >'e Di%ision 7enc' of t'e :i*' Co)rt set aside t'e order of acA)ittal and con%icted t'e acc)sed of t'e offences c'ar*ed. >'e con%icted acc)sed filed $;# +efore t'is Co)rt and contended t'at t'ere =as non/ compliance of $ection -, of t'e Act ='ic' =as eno)*' to %itiate t'e searc' as a ='ole. After referrin* $ection -, of t'e Act and t'e e%idence of police officer as #C 2, t'e Co)rt 'eld t'at 0,1 'e s'o)ld 'a%e ta9en do=n t'e information in =ritin*2 and 021 'e s'o)ld 'a%e sent fort'=it' a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior. After findin* t'at #C 2 / police officer admitted t'at 'e proceeded to t'e spot onl( on *ettin* t'e information t'at some+od( =as tr(in* to transport a narcotic s)+stance and notin* t'at #C 2 admitted t'at 'e proceeded on *ettin* prior information from a Consta+le and t'e information =as
2

precisel( one fallin* =it'in t'e p)r%ie= of $ection -,3.4 of t'e Act, t'e Co)rt decided t'at #C 2 cannot =ri**le o)t of t'e conditions stip)lated in t'e said $)+/section and )n'esitatin*l( fo)nd t'at t'ere =as non/compliance of $ection -, of t'e Act. >'e $tate contended +efore t'e 7enc' t'at s)c' non/ compliance =it' $ection -, of t'e Act cannot +e %isited =it' *reater conseA)ences t'an ='at 'as +een 'eld +( t'e Constit)tion 7enc' re*ardin* non/compliance =it' t'e conditions prescri+ed in $ection *) of t'e Act. After referrin* to t'e dict)m laid do=n in State of P$n'a" ,. Baldev Singh MA$&'S(')+/,'.++0 : 0,99916$CC,72 : 0,9991 6 $CC ,72, t'is Co)rt 'eld t'at t'e %ie=s e@pressed =it' reference to $ection *) of t'e Act =o)ld appl( =it' reference to $ection -, also and conseA)entl( 'eld as follo=s: 3f t'e officer 'as reason to +elie%e from personal 9no=led*e or prior information recei%ed from an( person t'at an( narcotic dr)* or ps(c'otropic s)+stance 0in respect of ='ic' an offence 'as +een committed1 is 9ept or concealed in an( +)ildin*, con%e(ance or enclosed place, it is imperati%e t'at t'e officer s'o)ld ta9e it do=n in =ritin* and 'e s'all fort'=it' send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior. >'e action of t'e officer, ='o claims to 'a%e e@ercised it on t'e stren*t' of s)c' )nrecorded information, =o)ld +ecome s)spect, t'o)*' t'e trial ma( not %itiate on t'at score alone. Nonet'eless t'e res)ltant position =o)ld +e one of ca)sin* pre5)dice to t'e acc)sed 3t =as also contended +( t'e learned Co)nsel for t'e $tate of 4)5arat t'at as t'e acc)sed did not disp)te t'e fact)m of reco%er( of t'e <c'aras< from t'e %e'icle it does not matter t'at t'e information =as not recorded at t'e first instance +( t'e police officer. >'e Co)rt did not appro%e s)c' contention +eca)se it 'eld t'at non/recordin* of information 'as in fact depri%ed t'e acc)sed as =ell as t'e Co)rt of t'e material to ascertain ='at =as t'e precise information ='ic' #C 2 *ot +efore proceedin* to stop t'e %e'icle. 3t f)rt'er 'eld t'at %al)e of s)c' an information, ='ic' =as t'e earliest in point of time, for ascertainin* t'e e@tent of t'e in%ol%ement of t'e acc)sed in t'e offence, =as of a 'i*' de*ree. 3t f)rt'er 'eld t'at it is not eno)*' t'at #C 2 =as a+le to recollect from memor(, ='en 'e =as e@amined in co)rt after t'e lapse of a lon* time, as to ='at information 'e *ot +efore 'e proceeded to t'e scene. ?%en ot'er=ise, it 'eld t'at t'e information ='ic' #C 2 recollected itself tends to e@c)lpate t'e appellant rat'er t'an inc)lpate 'im. !inall( t'e co)rt 'eld t'at non/recordin* of t'e %ital information collected +( t'e police at t'e first instance can +e co)nted as a circ)mstance in fa%o)r of t'e acc)sed. On anal(8in* t'is as =ell as t'e ot'er materials, t'is Co)rt )ltimatel( allo=ed t'e appeal filed +( t'e acc)sed"appellant and set aside t'e con%iction and sentence passed on 'im +( t'e :i*' Co)rt and restored t'e order of acA)ittal passed in 'is fa%o)r +( t'e trial co)rt. >'e ratio in A"%$l Rashi% 0s)pra1 is t'at t'e non/recordin* of %ital information collected +( t'e police at t'e first instance can +e co)nted as a circ)mstance in fa%o)r of t'e acc)sed/appellant. >'e police officer e@amined as a cr)cial =itness, #C2, in t'at case admitted t'at 'e proceeded to t'e spot onl( on *ettin* information t'at some+od( =as tr(in* to transport a narcotic s)+stance, +)t failed to ta9e do=n t'e information in =ritin*. Nor did 'e apprise 'is s)perior officer of an( s)c' information eit'er t'en or later, m)c' less send a cop( of t'e information to t'e s)perior officer. >')s, it =as a case of a+sol)te non/compliance =it' t'e reA)irements of $ection -,3.4 and 021. .. >'e facts in Sa'an A"raha) ,. State of Kerala .S$/ra0, =ere completel( different. >'e appellant"acc)sed / $a5an A+ra'am =as p)t on trial for an offence p)nis'a+le )nder $ection ,. of t'e Act. As per t'e prosec)tion case, on ,0.,0.,993 at a+o)t 7.4. p.m. t'e appellant =as in possession of a man)fact)red dr)* +( t'e name of <>idi*esic< and t'ree s(rin*es for in5ectin* t'e same near 7l)e >ronics )nction at #all)r)t'(. >'e :ead Consta+le, #C 3 and t=o ot'er Consta+les of t'e $pecial $A)ad *ot information at a+o)t 7.00 p.m. on t'e said date t'at a person =as sellin* in5ecta+le narcotic dr)*s near 7l)e >ronics )nction at #all)r)t'(. >'e( informed t'is to #C . / $)+/3nspector of #olice, #all)r)t'( C)s+a #olice $tation, ='o =as comin* in a 5eep alon* =it' 'is police part(. >'ereafter #C . alon* =it' 'is police part( incl)din* #C 3 and ot'er mem+ers of t'e $pecial $A)ad =ent to t'e scene of occ)rrence fo)nd t'e acc)sed standin* on t'e road =it' a pac9et in 'is 'and. :e =as identified +( #C 3 and appre'ended +( #C .. On searc', t'e pac9et possessed +( t'e appellant re%ealed t'at it contained . strips of . ampo)les eac' of >idi*esic and t'ree in5ection s(rin*es and a p)rse containin* c)rrenc( note of Rs. ,0. At t'e spot, one ampo)le =as ta9en as a sample for c'emical anal(sis and t'e said contra+and articles =ere sei8ed as per ?@t. #/, and sei8)re ma'a8ar =as prepared at t'e spot. >'e appellant =as also arrested. >'e c'ar*e/s'eet =as s)+mitted, t'e appellant pleaded not *)ilt(. >'e trial co)rt fo)nd discrepancies in t'e e%idence of t'e prosec)tion =itnesses and t')s dis+elie%ed t'e prosec)tion stor(, 'ence acA)itted t'e appellant. >'e :i*' Co)rt, on reappraisal of t'e e%idence, came to t'e concl)sion t'at t'e >rial Co)rt =as not 5)stified in acA)ittin* t'e appellant. 3t 'eld t'at t'e prosec)tion

'as esta+lis'ed =it' positi%e e%idence +e(ond reasona+le do)+t t'at t'e appellant 'as committed an offence p)nis'a+le )nder $ection ,. of t'e Act, 'ence con%icted and sentenced t'e appellant +efore t'is Co)rt. ;earned Co)nsel for t'e appellant s)+mitted +efore t'is Co)rt =it' %e'emence t'at t'e prosec)tion 'as %iolated t'e mandator( pro%isions )nder $ection -,, $ection *) and $ection */ of Act and 'ence con%iction and sentence is lia+le to +e set aside. >'e concl)sion of t'is Co)rt =it' re*ard to $ection -, is as )nder: Cit' re*ard to $ection -,, t'e s)+mission is t'at #C . 'as not recorded t'e information *i%en +( #C 3 =it' respect to t'e appellantDs in%ol%ement +efore proceedin* to arrest 'im in 'is case. >'is constit)tes %iolation of $ection -, of t'e Act. 3t is tr)e )nder $ection -,3.4, t'e officer concerned, ='en 'e 'as reason to +elie%e from 'is personal 9no=led*e or information recei%ed from an( person, is o+li*ed to ta9e it do=n in =ritin* if s)c' information constit)tes an offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B of t'e Act and send it fort'=it' to 'is immediate s)perior. $)c' an officer is empo=ered to searc' an( +)ildin*, con%e(ance and in case of an( resistance, +rea9 )p an( door or remo%e an( o+stacle for s)c' entr(, sei8)re of s)c' dr)* or s)+stance and to arrest s)c' person ='om 'e 'as reason to +elie%e to 'a%e committed an( offence p)nis'a+le )nder t'e said C'apter. >'ereafter s)c' officer 'as to send a cop( of t'is information fort'=it' to 'is immediate s)perior. $)+mission is t'at #C . after recei%in* t'e said information 'ad not comm)nicated it to 'is immediate s)perior ='ic' constit)tes %iolation of $ection -,. 3n constr)in* an( facts to find, ='et'er t'e prosec)tion 'as complied =it' t'e mandate of an( pro%ision ='ic' is mandator(, one 'as to e@amine it =it' a pra*matic approac'. >'e la= )nder t'e aforesaid Act +ein* strin*ent to t'e persons in%ol%ed in t'e field of illicit dr)* traffic and dr)* a+)se, t'e le*islat)re time and a*ain 'as made some of its pro%isions o+li*ator( for t'e prosec)tion to compl( =it', ='ic' t'e co)rts 'a%e interpreted it to +e mandator(. >'is is in order to +alance t'e strin*enc( for an acc)sed +( castin* an o+li*ation on t'e prosec)tion for its strict compliance. >'e strin*enc( is +eca)se of t'e t(pe of crime in%ol%ed )nder it, so t'at no s)c' person escapes from t'e cl)tc'es of t'e la=. >'e co)rt 'o=e%er ='ile constr)in* s)c' pro%isions strictl( s'o)ld not interpret t'em so literall( so as to render t'eir compliance, impossi+le. :o=e%er, +efore dra=in* s)c' an inference, it s'o)ld +e e@amined =it' ca)tion and circ)mspection. 3n ot'er =ords, if in a case, t'e follo=in* of a mandate strictl(, res)lts in dela( in trappin* an acc)sed, ='ic' ma( lead t'e acc)sed to escape, t'en t'e prosec)tion case s'o)ld not +e t'ro=n o)t.< 3n t'e present case, #C 3 / :ead Consta+le, *ot information =it' reference to t'e appellant onl( at a+o)t 7 p.m. t'at t'e person is sellin* in5ecta+le narcotic dr)*s near 7l)e >ronics )nction, #all)r)t'(. C'en 'e proceeded for #all)r)t'( #olice $tation to *i%e t'is information to 'is immediate s)perior, $3 of #olice, #C ., 'e fo)nd #C . alon* =it' 'is police part(, ='o =ere on patrol d)t( comin*, 'ence t'e said information =as comm)nicated t'ere +( #C 3 to #C .. >'ereafter, #C . alon* =it' 'is police part( and #C 3 immediatel( proceeded to=ards t'e place ='ere t'e appellant =as standin*. :ad t'e( not done so immediatel(, t'e opport)nit( of sei8)re and arrest of t'e appellant =o)ld 'a%e +een lost. :o= #C . co)ld 'a%e recorded t'e information *i%en +( #C 3 and comm)nicated to 'is s)perior ='ile 'e =as on motion, on patrol d)t(, in t'e 5eep +efore proceedin* to appre'end 'im is not )nderstanda+le. :ad t'e( not acted immediatel(, t'e appellant =o)ld 'a%e escaped. On t'ese facts, t'is Co)rt fo)nd t'at no inference co)ld +e dra=n t'at t'ere 'as +een %iolation of $ection -, of Act. 3t is clear from Sa'an A"raha) 0s)pra1 t'at to enforce t'e la= )nder t'e ND#$ Act strin*entl( a*ainst t'e persons in%ol%ed in illicit dr)* traffic9in* and dr)* a+)se, t'e le*islat)re 'as made some of its pro%isions o+li*ator( for t'e prosec)tion to compl( =it', ='ic' t'e co)rts 'a%e interpreted to +e mandator(. 3t is f)rt'er clear t'at t'is is in order to +alance t'e strin*enc( for an acc)sed +( castin* an o+li*ation on t'e prosec)tion for its strict compliance. >'e co)rt 'o=e%er ='ile constr)in* s)c' pro%isions strictl( s'o)ld not interpret t'em literall( so as to render t'eir compliance impossi+le. 3t concl)ded t'at if in a case, t'e strict follo=in* of a mandate res)lts in dela( in trappin* an acc)sed, ='ic' ma( lead t'e acc)sed to escape, t'en t'e prosec)tion case s'o)ld not +e t'ro=n o)t. 3t is also clear t'at ='en s)+stantial compliance 'as +een made it =o)ld not %itiate t'e prosec)tion case. 6. 3n t'e li*'t of t'e a+o%e decisions and t'e principles en)nciated t'erein, it =o)ld +e appropriate to refer to $ection -, of t'e ND#$ Act ='ic' is rele%ant for t'e present p)rpose as it stood +efore its amendment +( Act 9 of 200,. 3t reads as )nder: 42. Power of entry, search, seizure and arrest without warrant or authorisation.--0,1 An( s)c' officer 0+ein* an officer s)perior in ran9 to a peon, sepo( or consta+le1 of t'e departments of central e@cise, narcotics, c)stoms, re%en)e intelli*ence or an( ot'er department of t'e Central 4o%ernment or of t'e

7order $ec)rit( !orce as is empo=ered in t'is +e'alf +( *eneral or special order +( t'e Central 4o%ernment, or an( s)c' officer 0+ein* an officer s)perior in ran9 to a peon, sepo( or consta+le1 of t'e re%en)e, dr)*s control, e@cise, police or an( ot'er department of a $tate 4o%ernment as is empo=ered in t'is +e'alf +( *eneral or special order of t'e $tate 4o%ernment, if 'e 'as reason to +elie%e from personal 9no=led*e or information *i%en +( an( person and ta9en do=n in =ritin* t'at an( narcotic dr)*, or ps(c'otropic s)+stance, in respect of ='ic' an offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B 'as +een committed or an( doc)ment or ot'er article ='ic' ma( f)rnis' e%idence of t'e commission of s)c' offence is 9ept or concealed in an( +)ildin*, con%e(ance or enclosed place, ma(, +et=een s)nrise and s)nset,// 0a1 enter into and searc' an( s)c' +)ildin*, con%e(ance or place2 0+1 in case of resistance, +rea9 open an( door and remo%e an( o+stacle to s)c' entr(2 0c1 sei8e s)c' dr)* or s)+stance and all materials )sed in t'e man)fact)re t'ereof and an( ot'er article and an( animal or con%e(ance ='ic' 'e 'as reason to +elie%e to +e lia+le to confiscation )nder t'is Act and an( doc)ment or ot'er article ='ic' 'e 'as reason to +elie%e ma( f)rnis' e%idence of t'e commission of an( offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B relatin* to s)c' dr)* or s)+stance2 and 0d1 detain and searc', and, if 'e t'in9s proper, arrest an( person ='om 'e 'as reason to +elie%e to 'a%e committed an( offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B relatin* to s)c' dr)* or s)+stance: #ro%ided t'at if s)c' officer 'as reason to +elie%e t'at a searc' =arrant or a)t'orisation cannot +e o+tained =it'o)t affordin* opport)nit( for t'e concealment of e%idence or facilit( for t'e escape of an offender, 'e ma( enter and searc' s)c' +)ildin*, con%e(ance or enclosed place at an( time +et=een s)nset and s)nrise after recordin* t'e *ro)nds of 'is +elief. 021 C'ere an officer ta9es do=n an( information in =ritin* )nder $)+/section 0,1 or records *ro)nds for 'is +elief )nder t'e pro%iso t'ereto, 'e s'all fort'=it' send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior. $)+/section 021 as replaced +( Act 9 of 200, is e@tracted +elo=. 021 C'ere an officer ta9es do=n an( information in =ritin* )nder $)+/section 0,1 or records *ro)nds for 'is +elief )nder t'e pro%iso t'ereto, 'e s'all =it'in se%ent( t=o 'o)rs send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior. 7. 3t is =ell esta+lis'ed t'at searc' and sei8)re are essential steps in t'e armo)r( of an in%esti*ator in t'e in%esti*ation of a criminal case. >'e Code of Criminal #roced)re in %ario)s pro%isions, partic)larl(, $ections +2 to .)1 and $ection .2* reco*ni8es t'e necessit( and )sef)lness of searc' and sei8)re d)rin* t'e in%esti*ation. $)+/section 0,1 of $ection -. of t'e Act pro%ides t'at a &etropolitan &a*istrate or a &a*istrate of t'e !irst Class or an( &a*istrate of $econd Class speciall( empo=ered +( t'e $tate 4o%ernment ma( iss)e a =arrant for t'e arrest of an( person ='om 'e 'as reason to +elie%e to 'a%e committed an( offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B. $)+/section 021 of $ection -. refers to iss)e of a)t'ori8ation for similar p)rposes +( officers of departments of Central ?@cise, Narcotics, C)stoms, Re%en)e 3ntelli*ence, etc. -. $)+/section 0,1 of $ection -, la(s do=n t'at t'e empo=ered officer, if 'as a prior information *i%en +( an( person, s'o)ld necessaril( ta9e it do=n in =ritin* and ='ere 'e 'as reason to +elie%e from 'is personal 9no=led*e t'at offences )nder C'apter 3B 'a%e +een committed or t'at materials ='ic' ma( f)rnis' e%idence of commission of s)c' offences are concealed in an( +)ildin* etc. 'e ma( carr( o)t t'e arrest or searc', =it'o)t =arrant +et=een s)nrise and s)nset and 'e ma( do so =it'o)t recordin* 'is reasons of +elief. >'e pro%iso to $)+/section 0,1 of $ection -, la(s do=n t'at if t'e empo=ered officer 'as reason to +elie%e t'at a searc' =arrant or a)t'ori8ation cannot +e o+tained =it'o)t affordin* opport)nit( for t'e concealment of e%idence or facilit( for t'e escape of an offender, 'e ma( enter and searc' s)c' +)ildin*, con%e(ance or enclosed place, at an( time +et=een s)nset and s)nrise, after recordin* t'e *ro)nds of 'is +elief.

9. $)+/section 021 of $ection -, as it ori*inall( stood mandated t'at t'e empo=ered officer ='o 'a%e ta9en do=n information in =ritin* or records t'e *ro)nds of 'is +elief )nder t'e pro%iso to $)+/section 0,1, s'o)ld send a cop( of t'e same to 'is immediate official s)perior fort'=it'. 7)t after t'e amendment in t'e (ear 200,, t'e period =it'in ='ic' s)c' report 'as to +e sent =as specified to +e 72 'o)rs. $ection -1 deals =it' t'e po=er of sei8)re and arrest of t'e s)spect in a p)+lic place. ,0. Ce ma( note t'at Abdu R!"#id follo=ed State of Punja v. Balbir Singh MA$&'S(')-12'.++- : ,994Cri; 3702 :,994 031 $CC 299. Ce e@tract +elo= t'e passa*e t'at =as follo=ed: 02C1 Ender $ection -,3.4, t'e empo=ered officer if 'as a prior information *i%en +( an( person, t'at s'o)ld necessaril( +e ta9en do=n in =ritin*. 7)t if 'e 'as reason to +elie%e from personal 9no=led*e t'at offences )nder C'apter 3B 'a%e +een committed or materials ='ic' ma( f)rnis' e%idence of commission of s)c' offences are concealed in an( +)ildin* etc., 'e ma( carr( o)t t'e arrest or searc' =it'o)t a =arrant +et=een s)nrise and s)nset and t'is pro%ision does not mandate t'at 'e s'o)ld record 'is reasons of +elief. 7)t )nder t'e pro%iso to $ection -,3.4, if s)c' officer 'as to carr( o)t s)c' searc' +et=een s)nset and s)nrise, 'e m)st record t'e *ro)nds of 'is +elief. >o t'is e@tent t'ese pro%isions are mandator( and contra%ention of t'e same =o)ld affect t'e prosec)tion case and %itiate t'e trial. 031 Ender $ection -,3.4, s)c' empo=ered officer ='o ta9es do=n an( information in =ritin* or records t'e *ro)nds )nder pro%iso to $ection -,3.4 s'o)ld fort'=it' send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior: 3f t'ere is total non/compliance of t'is pro%ision t'e same affects t'e prosec)tion case. >o t'at e@tent it is mandator(. 7)t if t'ere is dela( ='et'er it =as )nd)e or ='et'er t'e same 'as +een e@plained or not, =ill +e a A)estion of fact in eac' case. Abdu R!"#id =as follo=ed in $% u&&u'%&&i R!(!) *+ S&!&, %- $,r! ! 2004 041 $CC 46., ='ic' =as also a case of total non/compliance =it' $ection -,, as t'e $)+/3nspector of #olice neit'er red)ced t'e information recei%ed into =ritin* nor informed t'e official s)perior a+o)t it. ,,. A caref)l e@amination of t'e facts in A+d)l Ras'id and $a5an A+ra'am s'o=s t'at t'e decisions re%ol%ed on t'e facts and do not reall( la( do=n different prepositions of la=. 3n A+d)l Ras'id, t'ere =as total non/compliance =it' t'e pro%ision of $ection -,. >'e police officer neit'er too9 do=n t'e information as reA)ired )nder $ection -,3.4 nor informed 'is immediate official s)perior, as reA)ired +( $ection -,3,4. 3t is in t'at conte@t t'is Co)rt e@pressed t'e %ie= t'at it =as imperati%e t'at t'e police officer s'o)ld ta9e do=n t'e information and fort'=it' send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate s)perior officer and t'e action of t'e police officer on t'e +asis of t'e )nrecorded information =o)ld +ecome s)spect t'o)*' t'e trial, ma( not +e %itiated on t'at score alone. On t'e ot'er 'and, in S!.!/ Abr!#!', t'e facts =ere different. 3n t'at case, it =as %er( diffic)lt, if not impossi+le for t'e $)+/3nspector of police to record in =ritin* t'e information *i%en +( #C/3 and send a cop( t'ereof fort'=it' to 'is official s)perior, as t'e information =as *i%en to 'im ='en 'e =as on patrol d)t( ='ile 'e =as mo%in* in a 5eep and )nless 'e acted on t'e information immediatel(, t'e acc)sed =o)ld 'a%e escaped. >'e $)+/3nspector of #olice t'erefore acted, =it'o)t recordin* t'e information into =ritin*, +)t 'o=e%er, sent a cop( of t'e !3R alon* =it' ot'er records re*ardin* arrest of t'e acc)sed immediatel( to 'is s)perior officer. 3t is in t'ese circ)mstances t'at t'is Co)rt 'eld t'at t'e omission to record in =ritin* t'e information recei%ed =as not a %iolation of $ection -,. ,2. >'e material difference +et=een t'e pro%isions of $ections -, and -1 is t'at $ection -, reA)ires recordin* of reasons for +elief and for ta9in* do=n of information recei%ed in =ritin* =it' re*ard to t'e commission of an offence +efore cond)ctin* searc' and sei8)re, $ection -1 does not contain an( s)c' pro%ision and as s)c' ='ile actin* )nder $ection -1 of t'e Act, t'e empo=ered officer 'as t'e po=er of sei8)re of t'e article etc. and arrest of a person ='o is fo)nd to +e in possession of an( narcotic dr)* or ps(c'otropic s)+stance in a p)+lic place ='ere s)c' possession appears to 'im to +e )nla=f)l. ,3. $ection *) prescri+es t'e conditions )nder ='ic' searc' of a person s'all +e cond)cted. $)+/section 0,1 pro%ides t'at ='en t'e empo=ered officer is a+o)t to searc' an( s)spected person, 'e s'all, if t'e person to +e searc'ed so reA)ires, ta9e 'im to t'e nearest *a8etted officer or t'e &a*istrate for t'e p)rpose. Ender $)+/section 021 it is laid do=n t'at if s)c' reA)est is made +( t'e s)spected person, t'e
6

officer ='o is to ta9e t'e searc', ma( detain t'e s)spect )ntil 'e can +e +ro)*'t +efore s)c' *a8etted officer or t'e &a*istrate. $)+/section 031 la(s do=n t'at ='en t'e person to +e searc'ed is +ro)*'t +efore s)c' a *a8etted officer or t'e &a*istrate and s)c' *a8etted officer or t'e &a*istrate finds t'at t'ere are no reasona+le *ro)nds for searc', 'e s'all fort'=it' disc'ar*e t'e person to +e searc'ed, ot'er=ise, 'e s'all direct t'at t'e searc' +e made. ,4. >'e Constit)tion 7enc' in 1al%e, Singh 0s)pra1 considered t'e compliance of $ection *) of t'e Act. C'ile doin* so, t'e 7enc' also considered t'e pro%isions of $ections -. and -, of t'e Act. 3t o+ser%ed as follo=s: 2. $ection -. of t'e ND#$ Act pro%ides t'at a &etropolitan &a*istrate or a &a*istrate of t'e !irst Class or an( &a*istrate of t'e $econd Class speciall( empo=ered +( t'e $tate 4o%ernment in t'is +e'alf, ma( iss)e a =arrant for t'e arrest of and for searc' of an( person ='om 'e 'as reason to +elie%e to 'a%e committed an( offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B. Bide $)+/section 021 t'e po=er 'as also +een %ested in *a8etted officers of t'e Departments of Central ?@cise, Narcotics, C)stoms, Re%en)e 3ntelli*ence or an( ot'er department of t'e Central 4o%ernment or of t'e 7order $ec)rit( !orce, empo=ered in t'at +e'alf +( a *eneral or special order of t'e $tate 4o%ernment to arrest an( person, ='o 'e 'as reason to +elie%e to 'a%e committed an offence p)nis'a+le )nder C'apter 3B or to searc' an( person or con%e(ance or %essel or +)ildin* etc. =it' a %ie= to sei8e an( contra+and or doc)ment or ot'er article ='ic' ma( f)rnis' e%idence of t'e commission of s)c' an offence, concealed in s)c' +)ildin* or con%e(ance or %essel or place. 3. $)+/section 0,1 of $ection -, la(s do=n t'at t'e empo=ered officer, if 'as a prior information *i%en +( an( person, 'e s'o)ld necessaril( ta9e it do=n in =ritin* and ='ere 'e 'as reason to +elie%e from 'is personal 9no=led*e t'at offences )nder C'apter 3B 'a%e +een committed or t'at materials ='ic' ma( f)rnis' e%idence of commission of s)c' offences are concealed in an( +)ildin* etc. 'e ma( carr( o)t t'e arrest or searc', =it'o)t a =arrant +et=een s)nrise and s)nset, and 'e ma( do so =it'o)t recordin* 'is reasons of +elief. 45. >'e pro%iso to $)+/section 0,1 la(s do=n t'at if t'e empo=ered officer 'as reason to +elie%e t'at a searc' =arrant or a)t'orisation cannot +e o+tained =it'o)t affordin* opport)nit( for t'e concealment of e%idence or facilit( for t'e escape of an offender, 'e ma( enter and searc' s)c' +)ildin*, con%e(ance or enclosed place, at an( time +et=een s)nset and s)nrise, after recordin* t'e *ro)nds of 'is +elief. Bide $)+/section 021 of $ection -,, t'e empo=ered officer ='o ta9es do=n information in =ritin* or records t'e *ro)nds of 'is +elief )nder t'e pro%iso to $)+/section 0,1, s'all fort'=it' send a cop( of t'e same to 'is immediate official s)perior. $ection -1 deals =it' t'e po=er of sei8)re and arrest of t'e s)spect in a p)+lic place. >'e material difference +et=een t'e pro%isions of $ection -1 and $ection -, is t'at ='ereas $ection -, reA)ires recordin* of reasons for +elief and for ta9in* do=n of information recei%ed in =ritin* =it' re*ard to t'e commission of an offence +efore cond)ctin* searc' and sei8)re, $ection -1 does not contain an( s)c' pro%ision and as s)c' ='ile actin* )nder $ection -1 of t'e Act, t'e empo=ered officer 'as t'e po=er of sei8)re of t'e article etc. and arrest of a person ='o is fo)nd to +e in possession of an( narcotic dr)* or ps(c'otropic s)+stance in a p)+lic place ='ere s)c' possession appears to 'im to +e )nla=f)l. 3t is to +e noted t'at 1al%e, Singh!s (ase .s$/ra0 'as dealt =it' $ection *) of t'e Act and t'e effect of non/compliance of t'e same. 3t =as 'eld t'at t'e same pro%isions of $ection *) containin* certain protection and safe*)ards implicitl( ma9e it imperati%e and o+li*ator( and cast a d)t( on t'e in%esti*atin* officer to ens)re t'at searc' and sei8)re of t'e person concerned is cond)cted in a manner prescri+ed +( $ection *). >'e )namended $ection *) as e@isted d)rin* t'at period is as follo=s: Se(tion 50 6 Con%itions $n%er 7hi(h sear(h of /ersons shall "e (on%$(te% 0,1 C'en an( officer d)l( a)t'ori8ed )nder $ection -, is a+o)t to searc' an( person )nder t'e pro%isions of $ection -., $ection -, or $ection -1, 'e s'all, if s)c' person so reA)ires, ta9e s)c' person =it'o)t )nnecessar( dela( to t'e nearest 4a8etted Officer of an( of t'e departments mentioned in $ection -, or to t'e nearest &a*istrate.

021 3f s)c' reA)isition is made, t'e officer ma( detain t'e person )ntil 'e can +rin* 'im +efore t'e 4a8etted Officer or t'e &a*istrate referred to in $)+/section 0,1. 031 >'e 4a8etted Officer or t'e &a*istrate +efore ='om an( s)c' person is +ro)*'t s'all, if 'e sees no reasona+le *ro)nd for searc', fort'=it' disc'ar*e t'e person +)t ot'er=ise s'all direct t'at searc' +e made. 041 No female s'all +e searc'ed +( an(one e@ceptin* a female. >'e safe*)ard or protection to +e searc'ed in t'e presence of a *a8etted officer or a &a*istrate 'as +een incorporated in $ection *) to ens)re t'at persons are onl( searc'ed =it' a *ood ca)se and also =it' a %ie= to maintain t'e %eracit( of e%idence deri%ed from s)c' searc'. 7)t t'is strict proced)ral reA)irement 'as +een dil)ted +( t'e insertion of $)+/section 0.1 and 061 to t'e $ection +( Act 9 of 200,, +( ='ic' t'e follo=in* s)+sections =ere inserted accordin*l(: 0.1 C'en an officer d)l( a)t'ori8ed )nder $ection -, 'as reason to +elie%e t'at it is not possi+le to ta9e t'e person to +e searc'ed to t'e nearest 4a8etted Officer or &a*istrate =it'o)t t'e possi+ilit( of t'e person to +e searc'ed partin* =it' possession of an( narcotic dr)* or ps(c'otropic s)+stance, or controlled s)+stance or article or doc)ment, 'e ma(, instead of ta9in* s)c' person to t'e nearest 4a8etted Officer or &a*istrate, proceed to searc' t'e person as pro%ided )nder $ection .)) of t'e Code of Criminal #roced)re, ,973 02 of ,9741. 061 After a searc' is cond)cted )nder $)+/section 0.1, t'e officer s'all record t'e reasons for s)c' +elief ='ic' necessitated s)c' searc' and =it'in se%ent(/t=o 'o)rs send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior. >'ro)*' t'is amendment t'e strict proced)ral reA)irement as mandated +( 1al%e, Singh!s (ase =as a%oided as rela@ation and fi@in* of t'e reasona+le time to send t'e record to s)perior official as =ell as e@ercise of $ection .)) of Cr#C =as incl)ded +( t'e le*islat)re. >'e effect conferred )pon t'e pre%io)sl( mandated strict compliance of $ection *) +( 7alde% $in*'Ds case =as t'at t'e proced)ral reA)irements ='ic' ma( 'a%e 'andicapped an emer*enc( reA)irement of searc' and sei8)re and *i%e t'e s)spect a c'ance to escape =ere made director( +ased on t'e reasona+leness of s)c' emer*enc( sit)ation. >'o)*' it cannot +e said t'at t'e protection or safe*)ard *i%en to t'e s)spects 'a%e +een ta9en a=a( completel( +)t certain fle@i+ilit( in t'e proced)ral norms =ere adopted onl( to +alance an )r*ent sit)ation. As a conseA)ence t'e mandate *i%en in 1al%e, Singh!s (ase is dil)ted. ,.. Ender $ection -,3,4 as it stood prior to amendment s)c' empo=ered officer ='o ta9es do=n an( information in =ritin* or records t'e *ro)nds )nder pro%iso to $ection -,3.4 s'o)ld fort'=it' send a cop( t'ereof to 'is immediate official s)perior. 3f t'ere is total non/compliance of t'is pro%ision t'e same =o)ld ad%ersel( affect t'e prosec)tion case and to t'at e@tent it is mandator(. 7)t if t'ere is dela( ='et'er it =as )nd)e or ='et'er t'e same 'as +een e@plained or not, =ill +e a A)estion of fact in eac' case, it is to +e concl)ded t'at t'e mandator( enforcement of t'e pro%isions of $ection -, of t'e Act non/compliance of ='ic' ma( %itiate a trial 'as +een restricted onl( to t'e pro%ision of sendin* a cop( of t'e information =ritten do=n +( t'e empo=ered officer to immediate official s)perior and not to an( ot'er condition of t'e $ection. ! dul "ashid #su$ra% 'as +een decided on 0,.02.2000 +)t t'ereafter $ection -, 'as +een amended =it' effect from 02.,0.200, and t'e time of sendin* s)c' report of t'e reA)ired information 'as +een specified to +e =it'in 72 'o)rs of =ritin* do=n t'e same. >'e rela@ation +( t'e le*islat)re is e%identl( onl( to )p'old t'e o+5ect of t'e Act. >'e A)estion of mandator( application of t'e pro%ision can +e ans=ered in t'e li*'t of t'e said amendment. >'e non/compliance of t'e said pro%ision ma( not %itiate t'e trial if it does not ca)se an( pre5)dice to t'e acc)sed. ,6. >'e ad%ent of cell)lar p'ones and =ireless ser%ices in 3ndia 'as ass)red certain e@pectation re*ardin* t'e A)alit(, relia+ilit( and )sef)lness of t'e instantaneo)s messa*es. >'is tec'nolo*( 'as ta9en part in t'e s(stem of police administration and in%esti*ation ='ile *ro=in* consens)s amon* t'e polic( ma9ers a+o)t it. No= for t'e last t=o decades police in%esti*ation 'as *one t'ro)*' a sea/c'an*e. ;a= enforcement officials can easil( access an( information an(='ere e%en ='en t'e( are on t'e mo%e and not p'(sicall( present in t'e police station or t'eir respecti%e offices. !or t'is c'an*e of circ)mstances, it ma( not +e possi+le all t'e time to record t'e information ='ic' is collected t'ro)*' mo+ile p'one

comm)nication in t'e Re*ister"Records 9ept for t'ose p)rposes in t'e police station or t'e respecti%e offices of t'e a)t'ori8ed officials in t'e Act if t'e emer*enc( of t'e sit)ation so reA)ires. As a res)lt, if t'e stat)tor( pro%isions )nder $ection -.3,4 and -,3,4 of t'e Act of =ritin* do=n t'e information is interpreted as a mandator( pro%ision, it =ill, disa+le t'e 'aste of an emer*enc( sit)ation and ma( t)rn o)t to +e in %ain =it' re*ard to t'e criminal searc' and sei8)re. >'ese pro%isions s'o)ld not +e mis)sed +( t'e =ron*doers"offenders as a ma5or *ro)nd for acA)ittal. ConseA)entl(, t'ese pro%isions s'o)ld +e ta9en as discretionar( meas)re ='ic' s'o)ld c'ec9 t'e mis)se of t'e Act rat'er t'an pro%idin* an escape to t'e 'ardened dr)*/peddlers. ,7. 3n concl)sion, ='at is to +e noticed is A+d)l Ras'id did not reA)ire literal compliance =it' t'e reA)irements of $ections -,3.4 and -,3,4 nor did $a5an A+ra'am 'old t'at t'e reA)irements of $ection -,3.4 and -,3,4 need not +e f)lfilled at all. >'e effect of t'e t=o decisions =as as follo=s: 0a1 >'e officer on recei%in* t'e information 0of t'e nat)re referred to in $)+/section 0,1 of $ection -,1 from an( person 'ad to record it in =ritin* in t'e concerned Re*ister and fort'=it' send a cop( to 'is immediate official s)perior, +efore proceedin* to ta9e action in terms of Cla)ses 0a1 to 0d1 of $ection -,3.4. 0+1 7)t if t'e information =as recei%ed ='en t'e officer =as not in t'e police station, +)t ='ile 'e =as on t'e mo%e eit'er on patrol d)t( or ot'er=ise, eit'er +( mo+ile p'one, or ot'er means, and t'e information calls for immediate action and an( dela( =o)ld 'a%e res)lted in t'e *oods or e%idence +ein* remo%ed or destro(ed, it =o)ld not +e feasi+le or practical to ta9e do=n in =ritin* t'e information *i%en to 'im, in s)c' a sit)ation, 'e co)ld ta9e action as per Cla)ses 0a1 to 0d1 of $ection -,3.4 and t'ereafter, as soon as it is practical, record t'e information in =ritin* and fort'=it' inform t'e same to t'e official s)perior. 0c1 3n ot'er =ords, t'e compliance =it' t'e reA)irements of $ections -,3.4 and -,3,4 in re*ard to =ritin* do=n t'e information recei%ed and sendin* a cop( t'ereof to t'e s)perior officer, s'o)ld normall( precede t'e entr(, searc' and sei8)re +( t'e officer. 7)t in special circ)mstances in%ol%in* emer*ent sit)ations, t'e recordin* of t'e information in =ritin* and sendin* a cop( t'ereof to t'e official s)perior ma( *et postponed +( a reasona+le period, t'at is after t'e searc', entr( and sei8)re. >'e A)estion is one of )r*enc( and e@pedienc(. 0d1 C'ile total non/compliance of reA)irements of $)+/sections 0,1 and 021 of $ection -, is impermissi+le, dela(ed compliance =it' satisfactor( e@planation a+o)t t'e dela( =ill +e accepta+le compliance of $ection -,. >o ill)strate, if an( dela( ma( res)lt in t'e acc)sed escapin* or t'e *oods or e%idence +ein* destro(ed or remo%ed, not recordin* in =ritin* t'e information recei%ed, +efore initiatin* action, or non/ sendin* a cop( of s)c' information to t'e official s)perior fort'=it', ma( not +e treated as %iolation of $ection -,. 7)t if t'e information =as recei%ed ='en t'e police officer =as in t'e police station =it' s)fficient time to ta9e action, and if t'e police officer fails to record in =ritin* t'e information recei%ed, or fails to send a cop( t'ereof, to t'e official s)perior, t'en it =ill +e a s)spicio)s circ)mstance +ein* a clear %iolation of $ection -, of t'e Act. $imilarl(, ='ere t'e police officer does not record t'e information at all, and does not inform t'e official s)perior at all, t'en also it =ill +e a clear %iolation of $ection -, of t'e Act. C'et'er t'ere is adeA)ate or s)+stantial compliance =it' $ection -, or not is a A)estion of fact to +e decided in eac' case. >'e a+o%e position *ot stren*t'ened =it' t'e amendment to $ection -, +( Act 9 of 200,. ,-. Ce ans=er t'e reference in t'e manner aforesaid. ;et t'e appeals +e no= placed for disposal +efore t'e appropriate 7enc'.

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