Allahabad High Court: In a petition filed by Indian politician Randeep Singh Surjewala, as his application for providing legible copy of the chargesheet including the documents relied upon in compliance of the provisions of Section 207 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’), has been rejected by the court concerned, Vikram D. Chauhan, J. directed the Trial Court to provide the copy of all the legible documents as per Section 207 CrPC within seven days to Randeep Singh Surjewala. Further, allowed him to file discharge application within the next seven days.
Randeep Singh Surjewala submitted that the copies provided were not legible and in the spirit of the order dated 17-4-2023 of Supreme Court the legible copy of the supporting documents should also have been provided.
The State submitted that the copy of the chargesheet and the documents were supplied to the petitioner. However, as per the order of Supreme Court dated 17-4-2023, legible copies of the chargesheet were provided. The State does not dispute the fact that the copies of the documents are relied on by prosecution as per Section 207 CrPC were not provided after passing of the order by Supreme Court on 17-4-2023.
Further, the State submitted that it has no objection in case the copy of the legible documents relied upon by the prosecution as per the chargesheet is provided to Randeep Singh Surjewala . However, since the case is an old one, the proceedings before the court below may not be derailed by him.
The Court said that a fair stand has been taken by the State. Further, as per Section 207 Cr.P.C the accused person is entitled to legible copies of the documents. Thus, the Court directed the Trial Court to adjourn the case for seven days and provide legible copies as per Section 207 CrPC within seven days to Randeep Singh Surjewala, so that he can move a discharge application in the public property damage case.
[Randeep Singh Surjewala v State of UP, Matters under Article 227 No. 6850 of 2023, Order dated 08-06-2023]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Counsel for Petitioner: Advocate Akhilesh Singh, Advocate Shivam Yadav;
Counsel for Respondent: Government Advocate.
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