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Supreme Court of India
Satyama Dubey vs Union Of India on 27 October, 2020Author: Hon’Ble The Justice
Bench: Hon’Ble The Justice, A.S. Bopanna, V. Ramasubramanian
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REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION (CRIMINAL) NO. 296 OF 2020
Satyama Dubey & Ors. .… Petitioner(s)
Versus
Union of India & Ors. …. Respondent(s)
WITH
Writ Petition (Crl) No.304/2020,
Writ Petition (Crl) No.308/2020,
Writ Petition (Crl) No.314/2020,
AND
Writ Petition (Crl) No.316/2020
JUDGMENT
Signature Not Verified
Digitally signed by
1. The petitioners and all the intervening applicants in
GULSHAN KUMAR
ARORA
Date: 2020.10.27
15:59:21 IST
Reason:
these matters have raised concern with regard to the
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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manner in which a 19 years old girl hailing from Hathras,
Uttar Pradesh is alleged to have been raped, brutally
assaulted; due to which she lost her life and also the
manner in which she was cremated. The Writ Petition (Crl)
No.296/2020 was initially taken on board by this Court and
notice was ordered to the respondents returnable in a week.
In the meanwhile, the remaining petitions and the
applications were filed in respect of the same incident to
seek for varied reliefs which are all ultimately in pursuit of a
fair investigation and bring to justice the culprits.
2. The details of the other applications and writ petitions
are as follows:
Petition/Intervenin Applicant/Petitioner Prayers
g Applications
Cr. M.P. No. 10597 Ramu alias Ram Kumar Intervention Application
of 2020 seeking indulgence of Court
for ordering CBI investigation
or formation of SIT to
investigate the matter under a
sitting or retired Justice of SC
or HC. Further, transfer of trial
to Delhi is prayed for.
I.A. No. 101799 of All India Women Prayer for impleadment as
2020 Conference (NGO) necessary party in the array of
through its General petitioners
Secretary Ms. Kuljeet
Kaur
Crl. M.P. No. 102148 Citizens for Justice and Seeking intervention and
of 2020 Peace through directions for:
Secretary 1. Transfer of the
investigation to CBI
2. Protection of witnesses
by central para military
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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forces
3. Appointment of a retired
Judge of SC to
investigate the
circumstances which led
to the cremation of the
victim.
Crl. M.P. No. 105463 Radhika Vemula & Ors. Praying for following
of 2020 directions:
1. Transfer of all connected
cases of gang-rape and
death from U.P. to Delhi
Special Court
2. Constitution of SIT for
investigation into the
gang-rape and death
tragedy in order to avert
political interference
3. Restraining the
respondents from
conducting polygraph
test, narco-analysis or
brain mapping on the
victim’s family
4. Protection to victim’s
family and other
witnesses.
5. Directing respondents to
strictly implement SC &
ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989
I.A. No. 103488 of By Members of Delhi Seeking orders for:
2020 High Court and 1. Constitution of SIT to
Supreme Court Bar investigate the gang- Association rape and murder case
under the Court’s own
monitoring
2. Providing adequate
protection to the
witnesses
3. Transfer of trial from U.P.
to SC/ST Special Court
in Delhi subject to
consent from the victim’s
family
4. Appointment of a Senior
Advocate as special
prosecutor u/s 15 of the
SC/ST Act, 1989
I.A. No. 106081 of Satendra Kumar Application seeking
2020 impleadment as respondent in
WP (Crl.) No. 296 of 2020 or
in the alternative seeking
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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permission to intervene in the
said matter.
Diary No. Letter petitions received For Appropriate directions
55441/2020, etc. through E-Mail by being sought for by SC in the
citizens gang-rape and murder case
D.No. 54893/2020, Letter petitions received For Appropriate directions
etc. through e-mail/by post being sought for by SC in the
gang-rape and murder case
IA No. 105728 of Applicant/Shobha Intervention Application
2020 Gupta seeking permission to
intervene to make appropriate
submissions and suggestions
as the matter is of extreme
importance.
Crl MP No. 105362 Applicant/Rashtriya Application for
of 2020 Dalit Bachao Andolan Impleadment as he
Through its President himself belongs to the
O.P Shukla and Others SC community and
direction to R to ensure
dignified cremation of all
the victims of crime and
no discrimination to be
made toward SC, ST,
OBC
Direction for
investigation against the
officials who were
responsible for
cremation and illegal
detention of the family
members to be
monitored by this
Hon’ble Court.
Crl MP No. 105458 Applicant/Radhika Application for
and 105460 of 2020 Vermula and Others Impleadment for
upholding the rights of
the SC and ST
community and that of
society at large
seeking CBI and SIT
probe into the case as
the impartial
investigation was being
conducted by the UP
police.
Crl MP No. 105452 Applicant/Munnoka Application for intervention
of 2020 Samudaya seeking an investigation in the
Samrakshana Munnani case against the accused and
through its President into the alleged lapses in the
administration into the case.
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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WP(Crl) No. 304 of Petitioner/Chandra Prayer for;
2020 Bhan Singh 1. Mandamus for
Chandra Bhan Singh investigation of the role
vs State of UP and of R3-R7 for mishandling
Others of body of the victim
2. Direction to the
Investigating agency to
get statement of the
Mother, father and
brother of the victim
before the magistrate
and if the allegation
made by the family are
Connected: WP(Crl) Connected: Petitioner/ true to register FIR
No. 308 of 2020
Sushma Motilal Maurya against the guilty.
Sushma Motilal
Connected: Direction to take
Maurya vs State of
cognizance, constitution of the
UP and Others
HC monitored Investigation,
inquiry and suspension of the
erring police, medical etc
trying to manipulate the
evidence, charges to be
framed against police who
were responsible for
cremation of the Victim.
WP (Crl) No. 314 of Petitioner/ Public mail Praying for following
2020 Public mail through its publisher
directions:
through its publisher
vs Union of India 1. Mandamus to R to fix
and Others the responsibilities of the
Police officials who burnt
the girl in midnight and
to punish them
2. Transfer the case to
Delhi from Hathras
3. Direction to R to make
special forum or frame
guidelines for such rape
in future.
WP (Crl) No. 316 of Petitioner/ Chetan Petition seeking direction to:
2020 Chetan Janardhan Kamble
1. Register offence u/s
Janardhan Kamble
Vs Union of India 166-A, 193 ,201, 202,
and Others 203, 212, 217,153A and
339 of the IPC and 3(2)
and 4 of the SC and ST
Act 1989 against Govt
officials involved in
destruction of evidence
2. Investigation by Special
Task Force (excluding
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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CBI and UP police
3. Deposit all the evidence
including videos
collected at the
Safdarjung hospital for
examination by
independent forensic lab
4. Direction granting
protection by CRPF to
the witnesses and
members of the family of
victim pending
investigation.
3. For a brief narration shorn of unnecessary details and
to note the nature of the relief sought, the petition in W.P.
(Crl.) No.296/2020 is referred. In the Writ Petition filed
under Article 32 of the Constitution of India the petitioners
are praying that the Union of India and concerned
authorities be ordered to conduct a fair investigation; if need
arise by transferring the case to the Central Bureau of
Investigation (‘CBI’ for short) or SIT be formed to investigate
the matter. It is also prayed that a sitting or retired
Supreme Court Judge or High Court Judge be appointed to
look into the matter. The petitioners have further prayed
that the case be transferred from Hathras, Uttar Pradesh to
Delhi.
4. The case as put forth is that a 19yearold girl,
resident of Hathras village in Uttar Pradesh was brutally
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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gangraped. The manner in which she was assaulted is
referred to in the petition. Though she was shifted to
Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, she breathed her last and she
was cremated in the middle of the night without the
presence of her family members. Considering the manner in
which the entire incident had taken place, the petitioners
contended that a fair investigation would be possible only if
the matter is entrusted to an independent agency.
5. The pleadings in the other writ petitions and the
intervention applications are relating to the same incident
though different reliefs have been sought, which in any
event is to secure fair investigation and punish the guilty in
accordance with law.
6. At the outset, when the first of the petition was taken
up by this Court on 16.10.2020, Mr. Tushar Mehta, learned
Solicitor General had fairly submitted that the instant
petition would not be considered as an adversarial litigation
and the respondents are also interested that a fair
investigation be conducted and the offenders be brought to
book. At that stage, it was noticed that the Allahabad High
Court, Lucknow Bench having taken note of the incident
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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had passed a detailed order dated 01.10.2020 and ordered
registration of the suo moto petition being
PIL(C)No.16150/2020. In that circumstance this Court was
of the prima facie view that the petitions filed before this
Court need not be entertained at this stage since the
jurisdictional High Court was seized of the matter. However,
Ms. Indira Jaising, learned Senior Counsel while intervening
on behalf of the intervening advocates had raised concern
with regard to the adequate protection being provided to the
victim’s family members and the witnesses. Having found
that such concern raised needs to be addressed, the learned
Solicitor General was requested to secure instructions on
these aspects and file an appropriate affidavit.
7. Pursuant thereto, an affidavit dated 14.10.2020 sworn
to by the Special Secretary, Home Department, Uttar
Pradesh is filed, wherein the details of the security provided
is indicated. In that regard it is stated that the parents, two
brothers, one sisterinlaw and grandmother of the victim
who are residing at village Chandpa, District Hathras, Uttar
Pradesh have been provided protection under a threefold
protection mechanism through (a) Armed Constabulary
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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Component, (b) Civil Police Component and (c) Installation
of CCTV cameras/lights. The details of each of the
component is also stated in the affidavit and it is further
stated that the Inspector (Incharge) of Police Station
Chandpa has been made Incharge of the aforesaid entire
arrangement to deploy suitable police force for the same.
The Circle Officer, Sadabad is to ensure robust security
arrangement by holding regular clear briefings to the police
force and to inform the family members about the security
arrangements provided to them. The affidavit also states
that on enquiry from the family members of the victim it is
learnt that they have engaged Ms. Seema Kushwaha and
Mr. Raj Ratan, Advocates on behalf of the family as their
private advocates.
8. The affidavit also indicates that the investigation by
the CBI would be conducted under the supervision of the
Court in a time bound manner. The Director General of
Police, State of Uttar Pradesh has also filed an affidavit
indicating that the State Government itself has sought
investigation by the CBI to be conducted under the
supervision of the Court and on 10.10.2020 the CBI
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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accepted the request of the State and has started
investigation in respect of the crime, on 11.10.2020. The
orders dated 01.10.2020 and 12.10.2020 passed by the
High Court and the fact that the High Court has been
apprised that the investigation by the CBI was in progress is
stated therein.
9. In addition to hearing Mr. Tushar Mehta, learned
Solicitor General who appeared for the State, Mr. Harish
Salve, learned Senior Counsel for DGP and Smt. Seema
Kushwaha on behalf of the family members of the victim as
also the other learned counsel lead by Ms. Indira Jaising,
Mr. Colin Gonsalves, learned Senior Counsel who raised
concern on behalf of the victim’s family in the various writ
petitions and applications, we have taken note of the
submission made by Mr. Sidharth Luthra, learned senior
counsel who sought to appear on behalf of the accused to
contend that the legal right available to the accused ought
not to be ignored in the process.
10. Though various contentions were urged, the
undisputed fact is that the investigation has in fact been
entrusted by the State Government itself to the CBI on
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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10.10.2020 and the CBI has started investigation in respect
of the crime on 11.10.2020. Therefore, the apprehensions
expressed by the petitioners/applicants that there would be
no proper investigation if the Uttar Pradesh Police
conducted the same would not remain open for
consideration at this stage and the grievance to that extent
stands redressed. Though the petitioners had sought and
the respondentState also through their affidavit had
indicated that this Court can monitor the same, as already
referred to above, a PIL(C)No.16150/2020 has been
registered in the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench,
suo moto pursuant to its order dated 01.10.2020. From the
order passed by the High Court it is noticed that the High
Court has adequately delved into the aspects relating to the
case to secure fair investigation and has also secured the
presence of the father, mother, brother and sisterinlaw of
the victim and appropriate orders are being passed,
including securing reports from various quarters. In that
circumstance, we do not find it necessary to divest the High
Court of the proceedings and take upon this Court to
monitor the proceedings/investigation. That apart, the
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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incident having occurred within the jurisdiction of that High
Court and all particulars being available, it would be
appropriate for the High Court to proceed to monitor the
investigation in the manner in which it would desire. In that
view, it would be open for the writ petitioners/applicants
herein to seek to intervene in the matter before the High
Court subject to consideration of such request by the High
Court and if it finds the need to take into consideration the
contentions to be urged by the petitioners/applicants in
that regard.
11. Insofar as the protection to the victim’s family and the
witnesses, the limited purpose for which this Court had
directed notice and sought for an affidavit; the affidavit as
filed no doubt indicates that sufficient steps have been
taken by the State Government to provide protection. Ms.
Indira Jaising, learned Senior Counsel would however,
contend that the protection as provided through the State
Police would not be appropriate and as such the protection
be directed to be provided by the Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF). It is further contended by her that a Special
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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Public Prosecutor be appointed and the monitoring be
made.
12. Having taken note of the contentions and having
perused the affidavit filed on behalf of the State Government
we are convinced that steps have been taken by the State
Government to make adequate arrangement for security to
the victim’s family and witnesses. However, in a matter of
the present nature it is necessary to address the normal
perception and pessimism which cannot be said as being
without justification. In that view, without casting any
aspersions on the security personnel of the State Police; in
order to allay all apprehensions and only as a confidence
building measure, we find it appropriate to direct that the
security to the victim’s family and the witnesses shall be
provided by the CRPF within a week from today.
13. On the aspect relating to the investigation, since we
have indicated that the High Court would look into that
aspect of the matter, the CBI shall report to the High Court
in the manner as would be directed by the High Court
through its orders from time to time. On the request of Ms.
Indira Jaising, learned senior counsel for appointment of a
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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Special Public Prosecutor we see no need to pass any
specific order. This is an aspect which could be considered
by the High Court in the light of the provisions of the
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989. In the circumstance wherein the
family members of the victim have chosen to engage Ms.
Seema Kushwaha and Mr. Raj Ratan, Advocates, they would
consider these aspects and make request on behalf of the
victim in accordance with law if such need arises.
14. Therefore, without expressing any opinion on the
merits of the rival contentions, all aspects of the matter are
left open to be considered by the High Court in PIL(C)
No.16150/2020 relating to the incident regarding which the
investigation is to be conducted by the CBI and also with
regard to the grievance put forth alleging illegal cremation.
With regard to the protection to the victim’s family and
witnesses, the respondent No.2 (Chief Secretary, State of
U.P) in WP(Crl) No.296/2020 shall bring this order to the
notice of the competent officer of the CRPF forthwith with a
request to provide adequate security to the victim’s family
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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and the witnesses and the CRPF shall take steps to provide
the same and shall report the same to the High Court.
15. Insofar as the transfer of the case to Delhi as sought
by the petitioners/applicants, Ms. Seema Kushwaha,
learned counsel for the victim’s family indicated that the
need for transfer would arise after the investigation is
complete. On this aspect we are also of the view that it
would be appropriate for investigating agency to complete
the investigation and in any event since the local police have
been divested of the investigation and the CBI is carrying
out the investigation there would be no room for
apprehensions at this stage. However, the issue as to
whether the trial of the case is to be transferred is a matter
which is kept open to be considered if need arises in future.
16. Before parting, we take note of the submission of the
learned Solicitor General about the name and relationship of
the family members with the victim being depicted in the
face of the order dated 12.10.2020 passed by the High Court
in PIL(C) No.16150/2020. Since it is a requirement of law
to avoid such disclosure, the High Court is requested to
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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delete the same and also morph the same in the digital
records and avoid indication of such contents in future.
17. In terms of the above observations and directions, the
writ petitions and applications stand disposed of. No costs.
..…………………………..CJI.
(S. A. Bobde)
…..…………………………..J.
(A. S. Bopanna)
..…..………………………….J
(V. Ramasubramanian)
October 27, 2020
NEW DELHI
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
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