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Case Title: SANJU RAJAN NAYAR Versus JAYARAJ & ANR

Case No: 8254/2023

Decided on: 23rd April, 2024

Quorum: THE HON’BLE JUDGE SANJAY KAROL and THE HON’BLE JUDGEPRASANNA BHALACHANDRA VARALE

Facts of the case:

The case is an appeal against the Karnataka High Court’s ruling to suppress a formal complaint (FIR) concerning claims of bribery. The respondent was cleared in departmental proceedings, but the High Court improperly weighed the evidence . The appeal was granted by the Supreme Court, which overturned the High Court’s decision and enabled the FIR to finish as it should have . The Court stressed that all factual and legal disputes are available for additional discussion by the parties in front of the proper forum . Due to the damning evidence against the respondent not being taken into consideration, it was deemed legally unfeasible to quash the FIR

Appellant’s Contentions

The Supreme Court upheld the appellant’s arguments, accepted the appeal, overturned the High Court’s decision, and revoked the FIR quashing order . As a result, the FIR that was the subject of the proceedings was reinstated and allowed to proceed legally . The Court made it clear that all factual and legal disputes are still open for the parties to resolve in the proper forum at the right time . The decision was made because it was illegal to dismiss the FIR without taking into account evidence that could have implicated the respondent .

Respondent’s Contentions

The respondent, Jairaj, was cleared in departmental proceedings concerning a complaint of bribery demand, which resulted in the High Court of Karnataka nullifying the FIR against him . The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and reinstated the FIR for additional legal action after finding the High Court’s approach to be legally untenable for failing to take into account incriminating evidence, such as a pendrive that would have shown cooperation in the crime. The Court emphasized the necessity for a thorough legal process to address the matter, pointing out that the High Court had neglected to take important principles and facts into account.

Court Analysis and Judgement

The FIR and ruling in the case of Sri Jayaraj v. State of Karnataka were quashed by the Supreme Court, which granted the appeal against the High Court of Karnataka’s decision. As a result, the FIR under consideration for the proceedings is brought back to life in accordance with the legislation . The High Court disregarded important evidence, such as a pendrive that might have shown the accused’s involvement in the crime, in favor of dismissing the FIR because there was insufficient direct proof of the accused requesting payment or a bribe . The High Court’s approach was deemed legally unsustainable by the Court because it disregarded significant evidence that came to light throughout the investigation .

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Judgement Analysis Written by – K.Immey Grace