[2026:RJ-JP:14234] HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 7274/2024 Ms. Neha Agrawal Daughter Of Shri Gopal Krishna Agrawal, Advocate, Wife Of Shri Sudhanshu Goyal, Resident Of Vaishali Nagar, Ajmer. ----Petitioner Versus 1. State Of Rajasthan, Through P.P. 2. Sudhanshu Goyal Son Of Vijay Goyal, Resident Of A- 85, Chandrvardayi Ramganj Ajmer, Rajasthan. 3. Vijay Goyal Son Of Ved Prakash, Resident Of A-85, Chandrvardayi Ramganj Ajmer, Rajasthan. 4. Sudha Goyal Wife Of Vijay Goyal, Resident Of A-85, Chandrvardayi Ramganj Ajmer, Rajasthan. 5. Ankit Goyal Son Of Vijay Goyal, Resident Of A-85, Chandrvardayi Ramganj Ajmer, Rajasthan. 6. Alka Goyal Wife Of Ankit Goyal, Resident Of A-85, Chandrvardayi Ramganj Ajmer, Rajasthan. ----Respondents For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Pankaj Gupta Mr. Peush Nag For Respondent(s) : Mr. Onkar Singh Rajpurohit, PP Mr. Suresh Kumar Sahni Mr. Ram Mohan Sharma Mr. Ankit Agrawal HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA PRAKASH SHRIMALI Order 1. Arguments Concluded On: 01/04/2026 2. Judgment Reserved On: 01/04/2026 3. Full Judgment/Operative Part Pronounced: Full Judgment 4. Judgment 4. Pronounced On: 10.04.2026 ;kph@ifjokfn;k dh vksj ls ;g ;kfpdk varxZr /kkjk 528 Hkkjrh; ukxfjd lqj{kk lafgrk fof'k"B vij eq[; U;kf;d eftLVªsV [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (2 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] ¼ih-lh-ih-,u-Mh-Vh-½ vtesj }kjk izdj.k la[;k 749@2020 jkT; cuke lq/kka'kq o vU; esa ikfjr vkns'k fnukad 19-10-2024 ls O;fFkr gksdj izLrqr dh gSA ftlds }kjk fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky] ,MoksdsV ds okW;l lSaiy vkSj ,Q-,l-,y- ¼fo'ks"kK tkap½ gsrq izR;FkhZ la[;k 2 ls 6@vfHk;qDrx.k dh vksj ls izLrqr izkFkZuk i= fnukad 26-09-2024 Lohdkj fd;k gSA ;kph@ifjokfn;k ds fo}ku vfHkHkk"kd dk cgl ds nkSjku ;g rdZ jgk gS fd ;kph@ifjokfn;k us izR;FkhZ la[;k 2 laq/kka'kq xks;y ds lkFk fnukad 19-02-2019 dks vtesj esa fganq jhfr&fjokt ds lkFk fookg fd;k Fkk vkSj fookg ls iwoZ fnukad 12-09-2018 dks ^^jksdk** dk dk;Zdze gqvk FkkA fookg ds le; vkSj mlds i'pkr izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk ngst dh voS/k ekax dh xbZ] ftudh iwfrZ ugha gksus ij izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us fnukad 07-09-2019 dks vtesj esa jksM ij ;kph@ifjokfn;k dks NksM+ fn;k vkSj ngst dh ekax ds fy, izrkfM+r fd;k] ftl ij ;kph@ifjokfn;k us iqfyl v/kh{kd vtesj ds le{k fnukad 06-03-2020 dks ?kVuk dh fjiksVZ izLrqr dhA ftl ij iqfyl v/kh{kd vtesj us iqfyl Fkkuk efgyk vtesj dks mDr fjiksVZ izsf"kr dh] ftl ij izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ la[;k 40@2020 varxZr /kkjk 498,] 406 Hkkjrh; naM lafgrk vkSj /kkjk 3 ngst fu"ks/k vf/kfu;e] 1961 ds varxZr izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo#) ntZ gqbZA iqfyl us vuqla/kku ds i'pkr izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo#) vkjksi i= izLrqr dj fn;kA ;kph@ifjokfn;k ds firk ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky ds izfrijh{kk ds Lrj ij izdj.k yafcr gSA izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds }kjk vuko';d :i ls izdj.k dks foyafcr fd;k tk jgk Fkk] ftlds lanHkZ esa bl U;k;ky; dh led{k ihB }kjk ;kfpdk la[;k 582@2022 vkns'k fnukad 31-01-2022 ds ek/;e ls izdj.k dks fuf'pr le; esa fuLrkfjr fd, tkus dk vkns'k fn;k x;k ijarq mlds i'pkr Hkh izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us 34 volj rd lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (3 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] d`".k vxzoky dh izfrijh{kk yafcr j[khA mDr lk{kh dh izfrijh{kk ds nkSjku izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky ls mudh vkokt dk uewuk ysus o mDr uewus dk ,Q-,l-,y- tkap gsrq Hkstus rFkk dfFkr eksckby fjdkWfMZax dks fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; dks lqukus ds fy, ,d izkFkZuk i= izLrqr fd;k x;kA mDr eksckby fjdkWfMZax fnukad 09-09-2019 rFkk fnukad 22-09-2019 dh gS] ftldks izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us u rks vUos"k.k vf/kdkjh ds le{k izLrqr fd;k u gh o"kZ 2022 esa vkjksi fojpuk ds le; fopkj.k U;k;ky; ds le{k izLrqr fd;k FkkA mDr fjdkWfMZax dh dksbZ izfr vkSj u gh mldh VªkalfdzIV fopkj.k U;k;ky; ds }kjk ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky rFkk ;kph@ifjokfn;k dks miyC/k djokbZ xbZA mDr fjdkWfMZax dh VªkalfLdzIV o isuMªkbo Hkh dksbZ lhy iSdsV esa ;k lhy voLFkk esa fopkj.k U;k;ky; ds le{k izLrqr ugha dh xbZA mDr fjdkWfMZax esa ;kph@ifjokfn;k ds firk ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky us viuh vkokt gksuk ugha crk;k gSA fQj Hkh fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky ds okW;l lSaiy fy, tkus o mldks ,Q,l,y esa Hksts tkus ds vkns'k nsdj fof/kd Hkwy o =qfV dh gSA fnukad 05-11-2019 dks izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us viuk tokc izLrqr fd;k Fkk rFkk tokc esa Hkh bl izdkj dh dksbZ fjdkWfMZax gksuk mUgksaus ugha crk;k gSA ;fn mDr vkokt ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky dh vkokt gksrh rks vUos"k.k ds nkSjku ;k vkjksi i= ds le; izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k mDr okW;l fjdkWfMZax o VªkalfLdzIV dks izLrqr djrs] tks muds }kjk izLrqr ugha dh xbZ gSA izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us nksuksa i{kksa ds e/; okrkZ 11%00 ,-,e- ls 4%00 ih-,e- ds chp gksuk crkbZ gSA tcfd dksVZ esa mDr fjdkWfMZax 1 ?kaVk 11 feuV vkSj 21 lsdsaM dh crkbZ gSA ftlls ;g Li"V gksrk gS fd mDr fjdkWfMZax esa dkaV&NkaV dh xbZ gS rFkk dwV jfpr o QthZ gSA fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us vkyksP; vkns'k fnukad 19-10-2024 ikfjr djrs le; fof/kd fl)karksa dk /;ku [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (4 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] j[ks fcuk lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky ds c;ku dh izfrijh{kk esa mlds okW;l lSaiy ysus o fof/k foKku iz;ksx'kyk esa Hkstus ds laca/k esa fcuk fdlh fof/kd vk/kkj ds vkns'k tkjh dj fn;kA mDr vkns'k tkjh fd, tkus ls iwoZ ;kph@ifjokfn;k ;k lk{kh dh lgefr Hkh ugha yh xbZA mDr fjdkWfMZax ls lacaf/kr isuMªkbo o VªkalfLdzIV dks Hkh ifjoknh@;kph ;k lk{kh dks ugha fn;k x;kA ;fn lk{kh dh ,slh okW;l fjdkWfMZax gS Hkh rks mDr okW;l fjdkWfMZax dks izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k /kkjk 313 naM izfdz;k lafgrk ds dFku ds i'pkr lk{; esa izLrqr dj ldrs Fks ysfdu lk{kh ls izfrijh{kk ds nkSjku gqbZ okrkZ ds laca/k esa eksckby ij fjdkWMZ okrkZ dks lk{kh ls izfrijh{kk ds nkSjku bl laca/k esa dksbZ iz'u ugha iwNs tk ldrs gSaA lk{kh dks vius okW;l lSaiy nsus ds fy, vknsf'kr djus ij Hkkjrh; lafo/kku ds vuqPNsn 20¼3½ esa of.kZr izko/kkuksa dk mYya?ku gksxk rFkk lk{kh dks okW;l lSaiy nsus ds fy, ck/; ugha fd;k tk ldrk gS vkSj mldks Lo;a ds okW;l lSaiy ds vk/kkj ij xokgh nsus ls ck/; fd;k tkuk Hkkjrh; lafo/kku ds vuqPNsn 20¼3½ dk mYya?ku gksxkA fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky ds okW;l lSaiy ysdj ,Q,l,y ijh{k.k gsrq Hksts tkus ds laca/k esa fnukad 19-10-2024 esa tks vkns'k ikfjr fd;k gS og fof/k fo#) gksus ds dkj.k ls vikLr fd, tkus ;ksX; gSA vr% ;kph@ifjokfn;k dh ;kfpdk varxZr /kkjk 528 Hkkjrh; ukxfjd lqj{kk lafgrk Lohdkj dh tkos rFkk fof'k"B vij eq[; U;kf;d eftLVªsV ¼ih-lh-ih-,u-Mh-Vh-½ vtesj }kjk izdj.k la[;k 749@2020 jkT; cuke lq/kka'kq o vU; esa ikfjr vkns'k fnukad 19-10-2024 dks vikLr fd;k tkosA ;kph@ifjokfn;k ds fo}ku vfHkHkk"kd us vius rdksZa ds leFkZu esa fuEu fofu'p; izLrqr fd, gSa%& 1. Shamsher Singh Verma Versus Satate of Haryana; 2015 4 Crimes(SC) 353; order dated 24.11.2015. [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (5 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] 2. Ram Singh and Ors. Vs. Ram Singh; MANU/AC/0176/1985; order dated 07.08.1985. order dated 07.08.1985. izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo}ku vfHkHkk"kd rFkk fo}ku yksd vfHk;kstu dk cgl ds nkSjku ;g rdZ jgk gS fd fnukad 05-09-2024 dks fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k dk izkFkZuk i= varxZr /kkjk 294 naM izfdz;k lafgrk lifBr /kkjk 145] 146] 155 lk{; vf/kfu;e fnukafdr 14-08-2024 dks fuLrkfjr dj izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k dk izkFkZuk i= Lohdkj fd;k tkdj izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds nksuksa eksckby dks U;k;ky; esa pykus dh vuqefr nh FkhA lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky o izR;FkhZ@vfHk;qDr&2 lq/kka'kq xks;y o vU; izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds e/; fnukad 09-09-2019 dks rFkk fnukad 22-09-2019 dks vtesj esa tks okrkZ gqbZ vkSj tks vkokt fjdkWMZ dh xbZ mDr okrkZvksa esa vkokt ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky dh gS tks ;kph@ifjokfn;k dk firk gSA mDr okrkZ,a izdj.k ds U;k;iw.kZ fuLrkj.k ds fy, lqlaxr gSA ;kph@ifjokfn;k us izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ij ;g vkjksi yxk;k gS fd mUgksaus ifjokfn;k ls ngst dh ekax dh gSA tcfd mu okrkZyki esa dgha Hkh ;g rF; ugha vk;k gSA izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us ;kph@ifjokfn;k ;k mlds firk ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky ls dksbZ ngst dh ekax dh gks vkSj mldh iwfrZ ugha fd, tkus ij dksbZ vkijkf/kd d`R; fd;k gks ;g fl) ugha gksrk gSA lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 Jh xksiky d`".k vxzoky us viuh okrkZyki esa ;g Lohdkj fd;k gS fd izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k us dksbZ ngst dh ekax ugha dh gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa tks eksckby esa nksuksa i{kksa ds e/; okrkZyki gqbZ og okrkZyki Hkkjrh; lk{; vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 2¼1½¼Mh½ ch,l, ds varxZr ^^nLrkost** 'kCn esa vkus ds dkj.k o /kkjk 155¼3½ Hkkjrh; lk{; vf/kfu;e vkSj 294 naM izfdz;k lafgrk esa of.kZr izko/kkuksa vkSj fofHkUu fofu'p;ksa esa vfHkfu/kkZfjr fl)karksa ds vk/kkj ij VSi fjdkWMZj esa gqbZ lk{; lqlaxr gksus o eksckby [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (6 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] ij fd, x, fjdkWfMZax dh xbZ fjdkWfMZax o okrkZ /kkjk 8 Hkkjrh; lk{; vf/kfu;e ds varxZr lelkef;d okrkZ gksus vkSj lqlaxr gksus ds vk/kkj ij fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us fnukad 05-09-2024 dks vkns'k ikfjr dj izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds nksuksa eksckby esa ls gqbZ okrkZyki dks U;k;ky; esa pyk, tkus gsrq eksckby is'k fd, tkus dk vkns'k fn;k x;k gSA mDr vkns'k fnukad 05-09-2024 ds fo#) dksbZ iqujh{k.k@vihy ;kfpdk ;kph@ifjokfn;k us izLrqr ugha dhA U;k;ky; izdj.k ds U;k;iw.kZ fofu'p; ds fy, vkSj lqlaxr nLrkostksa ds laca/k esa lk{; dh izfrijh{kk ds Lrj ij okW;l lSaiy fy, tkus vkSj fof/k foKku iz;ksx'kkyk esa fo'ks"kK lk{; ds fy, Hkst ldrh gSA fof/k esa of.kZr izko/kkuksa ds vuqlkj izR;FkhZx.k lk{kh ls mldh izfrijh{kk ds nkSjku lk{kh dh fo'oluh;rk dks ij[kus ds fy, ftlds eksckby ij fd, x, fjdkWfMZax ds dFkuksa esa dUQzUV(Confront) djk ldrh gSA izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds eksckby esa ntZ fnukad 09-09-2019 vkSj fnukad 22-09-2019 vly okrkZ dh gqcgw VªkalfdzIV dh xbZ gS o mDr nksuksa vly okrkZvksa dks ewy ls isuMªkbo esa Hkh gwcgw MkmuyksM@fjdkWMZ fd;k x;k gSA lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 xksiky d`".k vxzoky dh vkokt ds fy, x, uewuksa ds laca/k esa lk{kh o ifjokfn;k@;kph lk{kh ds c;ku ds ek/;e ls viuk rdZ j[k ldrs gSa rFkk izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk ijhf{kr lk{khx.k ls dksbZ izfrijh{kk djk ldrs gSaA fo}ku fopkj.k U;k;ky; us vkyksP; vkns'k fnukad 19-10-2024 ikfjr dj lk{kh ihMCY;w 1 xksikyd`".k vxzoky ds okW;l lSaiy fy, tkus vkSj ,Q,l,y ¼fo'ks"kK tkap½ izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k dk izkFkZuk i= Lohdkj fd, tkus dk dksbZ fof/kd Hkwy o =qfV ugha dh gSA vr% ;kph@ifjokfn;k dh vksj ls izLrqr ;kfpdk vLohdkj dj [kkfjt dh tkosA izR;FkhZx.k@vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo}ku vfHkHkk"kd us vius rdksaZ ds leFkZu esa fuEu fofu'p;ksa dh izfr izLrqr dh gS%& [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (7 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] 1- Ritesh Sinha versus State of Uttar Pradesh and Another; (2019) 8 Supreme Court Cases 1; order dated 02.08.2019. 2. Pravinsinh Nrupatsinh Chauhan Versus State of Gujarat; Slp (Crl.) No(s). 4693/2023; order dated 15.05.2023. 3. Rahul Agarwal Versus The State of West Bengal & Anr.; Slp (Crl.) o. 5518/2025; order dated 13.10.2025. 4. Manik Pandey Vs. State of U.P. And Another; Criminal Revision No. 3965/2023; order dated 05.10.2023. 5. Badri Prasad Meena Versus Central Bureau of Investigation and other connected matter; S.B. Criminal Misc. (Petition) No. 6518/2024; order dated 14.11.2024. 6. Tarak Nath Gupta & anr Versus State of Delhi & Anr; CRL.REV.P. 472/2019 & CRL.M.A. 8424/2019; order dated 13.10.2023. eSaus mHk;i{kksa ds rdksZa ij euu fd;k rFkk i=koyh dk voyksdu fd;kA bl izdj.k esa eq[; fopkj.kh; fcanq fuEu izdkj gSa%& 1- D;k lk{kh dh izfrijh{kk ds nkSjku lk{kh ds okW;l lSaiy dks ysdj mls fo'ks"kK lk{; gsrq fof/k foKku iz;ksx'kkyk esa Hkstk tk ldrk gS\ 2- D;k lk{kh dks vius okW;l lSaiy nsus ds fy, vknsf'kr djus ij Hkkjrh; lafo/kku ds vuqPNsn 20¼3½ esa of.kZr izko/kkuksa dk mYya?ku gksxk\ bl laca/k esa fuEu fof/kd izko/kkuksa dks ;gka mYysf[kr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& Section 145 of Indian Evidence Act 1872 : - Cross examination as to previous statements in writing A witness may be cross-examined as to previous statements made [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (8 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] by him in writing or reduced into writing, and relevant to matters in question, without such writing being shown to him, or being proved; but, if it is intended to contradict him by the writing, his attention must, before the writing can be proved, be called to those parts of it which are to be used for the purpose of contradicting him. Section 349 of BNSS (Sec 311 A Cr.P.C.): - Power of magistrate to order person to give specimen signatures or handwriting etc If a Magistrate of the first class is satisfied that, for the purposes of any investigation or proceeding under this Sanhita, it is expedient to direct any person, including an accused person, to give specimen signatures or finger impressions or handwriting or voice sample, he may make an order to that effect and in that case the person to whom the order relates shall be produced or shall attend at the time and place specified in such order and shall give his specimen signatures or finger impressions or handwriting or voice sample: Provided that no order shall be made under this section unless the person has at some time been arrested in connection with such investigation or proceeding: Provided further that the Magistrate may, for the reasons to be recorded in writing, order any person to give such specimen or sample without him being arrested. Section 45 of Indian Evidence Act: - Opinion of experts When the Court has to form an opinion upon a point of foreign law or of science or art, or as identity of handwriting or finger impressions, the opinions upon that point of [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (9 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] persons specially skilled in such foreign law, science or art, or in questions as to identity of handwriting or finger impressions are relevant facts. Section 8 of Indian Evidence Act:- Motive, preparation, previous or subsequent conduct Any fact is relevant which shows or constitutes a motive or preparation for any fact in issue or relevant fact. The conduct of any party, or of any agent to any party, to any suit or proceeding, in reference to such suit or proceeding, or in reference to a fact in issue therein or relevant thereto, and the conduct of any person an offence against whom is the subject of any proceeding, is relevant, if such conduct influences or is influenced by any fact in issue or relevant fact, and whether it was previous or subsequent thereto. Ritesh Sinha Versus State of Uttar Pradesh and Another; (2019) 8 SCC 1 ds iSjk la[;k 27 dks ;gka mYysf[kr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& 27. In the light of the above discussions, we unhesitatingly take the view that until explicit provisions are engrafted in the Code of Criminal Procedure by Parliament, a Judicial Magistrate must be conceded the power to order a person to give a sample of his voice for the purpose of investigation of a crime. Such power has to be conferred on a Magistrate by a process of judicial interpretation and in exercise of jurisdiction vested in this Court under Article 142 of the Constitution of India. We order accordingly and consequently dispose of the appeals in terms of the above. [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (10 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] Rahul Agarwal Versus The State of West Bengal & Anr; 2025 INSC 1223 ds iSjk la[;k 8 o 9 dks ;gka mYysf[kr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& 8. Following the aforesaid precedent, it was held in Ritesh Sinha¹ that despite absence of explicit provisions in Cr.P.C., a Judicial Magistrate must be conceded the power to order a person, to give a sample of his voice for the purpose of investigation for a crime. We specifically note that this Court had not spoken only of the accused and specifically employed the words 'a person', consciously because the Rule against self-incrimination applies equally to any person whether he be an accused or a witness. It was also directed that till explicit provisions are incorporated in the Cr.P.C., the Judicial Magistrate will be so empowered by virtue of the said judgment. The issue was also pending with the Government and with the advent of the BNSS, it has been specifically incorporated under Section 349. 9. We need not hence consider the question as to whether it is the Cr.P.C. or the BNSS which would be applicable to the present case. If it is the Cr.P.C., the three Judge Bench decision in Ritesh Sinha¹ permits the same on the identical principle adopted by this Court in Kathi Kalu Oghad to permit furnishing of handwriting, signature and finger impressions. The said sampling is similar to voice sampling, as now possible by reason of the advancing technology. If it is the BNSS that is applicable, then there is a specific provision enabling such sampling. The reasoning was also that mere furnishing of a sample of the fingerprint, signature or handwriting would not incriminate the person as such. It would have to be compared with the material discovered on investigation, [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (11 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] which alone could incriminate the person giving the sample, which would not fall under a testimonial compulsion, thus not falling foul of the rule against self-incrimination. Pravinsinh Nrupatsinh Chauhan Versus State of Gujarat; Slp (Crl.) No(s). 4693/2023; order dated 15.05.2023 esa ekuuh; mPpre U;k;ky; }kjk vfHkfu/kkZfjr fl)karksa dk iSjk la[;k 2 o 3 dks ;gka mYysf[kr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& 2. In the above context, we have the benefit of reading the ratio in 'Ritesh Sinha Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh' reported in (2019) 8 SCC 1 where in the context of voice sample collected for the purpose of investigation, the three Judges Bench of this Court had held:- "26. Would a judicial order compelling a person to give sample of his voice violate the fundamental right to privacy under Article 20(3) of the Constitution, is the next question. The issue is interesting and debatable but not having been argued before us it will suffice to note that in in Modern Dental College and Research Centre v. State of M.P., Gobind v. State of M. P. and another and the nine Judge's Bench of this Court in K.S. Puttaswamy (Privacy 9) v. Union of India the fundamental right to privacy cannot be construed as absolute and but must bow down to compelling public interest. We refrain from any further discussion and consider it appropriate not to record any further observation on an issue not specifically raised before us. 27. In the light of the above discussions, we unhesitatingly take the view that until explicit provisions are engrafted in the Code of Criminal Procedure by Parliament, a Judicial Magistrate must be conceded the power to order a person to give a sample of his voice for the purpose of investigation of a crime. Such power has to [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (12 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] be conferred on a Magistrate by a process of judicial interpretation and in exercise of jurisdiction vested in this Court under Article 142 of the Constitution of India. We order accordingly and consequently dispose the appeals in terms of the above." 3. The above would indicate that the Magistrate is given the power to order for collection of voice sample for the purpose of investigation of a crime until explicit provisions are engrafted in the CrPC by the Parliament. Such direction was issued by invoking powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India. Manik Pandey Vs. State of U.P. and Anr.; Criminal Revision No. 3965/2023, order dated 05.10.2023 dk iSjk la[;k 17 ls 23 dks ;gka mYysf[kr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& 17. The defence of an accused is not limited to the stage of defence evidence. It begins the very moment the prosecution presents any evidence/argument/witness against the accused. 18. It is a basic principle of the trial that accused has to establish his defence by cross examination of the prosecution witness and it cannot be termed that the accused defence shall start only at the stage of defence evidence. By confronting the prosecution witness with evidence and rebutting them by cross examination is the defence of the accused at the stage of prosecution evidence also. For free and fair trial, the trial court is bound to allow the accused to furnish all relevant documents for his defence at any stage. 19. In any matter whether civil or criminal, the defendant/accused has a right to present his defence to counter the allegations imposed against him. The question which arises in a lot of matters is as to when does this stage of defence of an aceused/ defendant begins. Is it after the plaintiff/prosecution has presented their evidences and witnesses, or [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (13 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] does it begin the very moment the stage of evidence starts? 20. The power must be exercised wherever the court finds that any evidence is essential for the just decision of the case. The statutory provision goes to emphasise that the court is not a hapless bystander in the derailment of justice. Quite to the contrary, the court has a vital role to discharge in ensuring that the cause of discovering truth as an aid in the realization of justice is manifest. 21. Fair trial is the main object of criminal procedure and it is the duty of the court to ensure that such fairness is not hampered or threatened in any manner. Fair trial entails the interests of the accused, the victim and of the society, and therefore, fair trial includes the grant of fair and proper opportunities to the person concerned, and the same must be ensured as this is a constitutional, as well as a human right. Thus, under no circumstances can a person's right to fair trial be jeopardized. Adducing evidence in support of the defence is a valuable right. Denial of such right would amount to the denial of a fair trial. Thus, it is essential that the rules of procedure that have been designed to ensure justice are scrupulously followed, and the court must be zealous in ensuring that there is no breach of the same. (Vide: Talab Haji Hussain v. Madhukar Purshottam Mondkar & Anr., AIR 1958 SC 376; Zahira Habibulla H. Sheikh & Anr. v. State of Gujarat & Ors., AIR 2004 SC 3114; Zahira Habibullah Sheikh & Anr. v. State of Gujarat & Ors., AIR 2006 SC 1367; Kalyani Baskar (Mrs.) v. M.S. Sampoornam (Mrs.), (2007) 2 SCC 258; Vijay Kumar v. State of U.P. & Anr., (2011) 8 SCC 136; and Sudevanand v. State through C.B.I., (2012) 3 SCC 387). 22. Fair trial entails the interests of the accused, the victim and of society, and therefore, includes the grant of fair and proper opportunities [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (14 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] to the person concerned, and the same must be ensured as this is a constitutional as well as human right. The trial court cannot deny an accused the right to summon witnesses he/she has cited for examination at any stage of trial, the Supreme Court has held. 23. In the case of Mohanlal Shamji Soni v. Union of India & Anr., reported in AIR 1991 SC 1346, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India held that it is a cardinal rule of the law of evidence, that the best available evidence must be brought before the court to prove a fact, or a point in issue. However, the court is under an obligation to discharge its statutory functions, whether discretionary or obligatory, according to law and hence ensure that justice is done. The court has a duty to determine the truth, and to render a just decision. Badri Prasad Meena Versus Central Bureau of Investigation and other connected matter; Criminal Misc. (Petition) No. 6518/2024, order dated 14.11.2024 dk iSjk la[;k 14 o 18 dks ;gka mYysf[kr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& 14. In this background, the question of law which calls for Interference before this Court pertains to whether recording of voice sample violates the provisions of Article 20(3) of Constitution of India or any other rights of the accused-petitioners. Qua the same Hon'ble Apex Court in Pravinsinh (supra) has categorically held that collection of voice sample would not infringe upon the right to privacy, and the said inference was drawn upon while placing reliance upon in the Judgment cited in the said case titled as Ritesh (supra) wherein, it is held that the fundamental right to privacy cannot be construed as absolute and must bow down to compelling public interest. [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (15 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] 18. This provision, as construed by this Court, carefully balances investigative needs with constitutional safeguards, ensuring that the requirement to provide a voice sample does not violate Article 20(3) of the Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination. The legislative framework thus enables a lawful and structured approach for collecting voice samples, upholding the procedural and constitutional propriety of such investigative measures. Ram Singh and Ors. Vs. Ram Singh; 1985 SCC OnLine SC 351 ds bl iSjk dks ;gka m)fjr fd;k tkuk U;k;ksfpr gksxk%& "32. Thus, so far as this Court is concerned the conditions for admissibility of a tape-recorded statement may be stated as follows: “(1) The voice of the speaker must be duly identified by the maker of the record or by others who recognise his voice. In other words, it manifestly follows as a logical corollary that the first condition for the admissibility of such a statement is to identify the voice of the speaker. Where the voice has been denied by the maker it will require very strict proof to determine whether or not it was really the voice of the speaker. (2) The accuracy of the tape-recorded statement has to be proved by the maker of the record by satisfactory evidence — direct or circumstantial. (3) Every possibility of tampering with or erasure of a part of a tape- recorded statement must be ruled out otherwise it may render the said statement out of context and, therefore, inadmissible. (4) The statement must be relevant according to the rules of Evidence Act. (5) The recorded cassette must be carefully sealed and kept in safe or official custody. (6) The voice of the speaker should be clearly audible and not lost or distorted by other sounds or disturbances.” ;g o‚bl fjd‚ÉMx lk{kh dh dfFkr okrkZyki ls lacafèkr gS] ftldk lk{kh }kjk Li"V :i ls [kaMu fd;k x;k gSA rFkkfi] vfHkys[k ls ;g ifjyf{kr gksrk gS fd mä okrkZyki vfHk;qäx.k ds }kjk izLrqr [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (16 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] dh xbZ gSA tgka rd bl vkifÙk dk lacaèk gS fd mä fjd‚ÉMx esa fdlh çdkj dh dkV&NkaV (tampering) dh xà gS vFkok og dwV] QtÊ gS] ;g fuÆookn :i ls fopkj.k ¼Vªk;y½ dk fo"k; gSA ,sls rF;kRed fooknksa dk vafre fuèkkZj.k lk{; ds leqfpr ijh{k.k] i{kdkjksa }kjk çLrqr lk{;ksa ds ewY;kadu rFkk vko';drkuqlkj fof/k foKku ç;ksx'kkyk ¼FSL½ dh fjiksVZ ds vkèkkj ij gh fd;k tk ldrk gSA bl Lrj ij fookfnr rF;ksa ij dksà vafre fu"d"kZ nsuk U;k;ksfpr ugÈ gksxkA ;g Hkh mYys[kuh; gS fd ;fn bl Lrj ij mä o‚bl fjd‚ÉMx dks vfHkys[k ij Lohdkj fd;k tkrk gS] rks blls ifjoknh vFkok lkf{k;ksa ds vfèkdkjksa vFkok fgrksa ij dksà çfrdwy çHkko ugÈ iM+sxkA ifjoknh o vfHk;qä dks vius cpko dk iw.kZ volj fofèk }kjk çnÙk gS vkSj lk{khx.k ls ijh{k.k ds nkSjku og izfrijh{kk ¼cross-examination½ ds ekè;e ls mä fjd‚ÉMx dh fo'oluh;rk] çkekf.kdrk rFkk Lohdk;Zrk dks pqukSrh ns ldrk gSA blds vfrfjä ifjoknh@vfHk;qä vU; lkf{k;ksa dks çLrqr dj vFkok oSdfYid lk{; ds ekè;e ls Hkh mä lkexzh dk [kaMu djus ds fy, Lora= jgsxkA vr% bl Lrj ij fjd‚ÉMx dks vfHkys[k ij ysus ek= ls fdlh Hkh i{k dks viwj.kh; {kfr gksus dh laHkkouk çrhr ugÈ gksrhA tgka rd ;g vkifÙk dh xà gS fd mä o‚bl fjd‚ÉMx dks tkap ds nkSjku vFkok vkjksi fuèkkZj.k ¼charge½ ds le; çLrqr ugÈ fd;k x;k] ;g vkifÙk Hkh fofèk dh –f"V ls fo'ks"k egRo dh ugÈ gSA lk{; fofèk dk lkekU; fl)kar ;g gS fd çklafxd lk{; dks] ;fn og fofèklEer gks] rks mi;qä volj ij çLrqr fd;k tk ldrk gSA Hkkjrh; lk{; vfèkfu;e ds çkoèkkuksa ds varxZr ;g Li"V gS fd fdlh Hkh lk{kh dh izfrijh{kk esa mlds iwoZ dFkuksa ls mls dUQzUVs'ku ¼confrontation½ djkus gsrq fdlh Hkh nLrkost+ ;k lkexzh dk mi;ksx fd;k tk ldrk gS] vkSj blds fy, ;g vfuok;Z ugÈ gS fd mls iwoZ esa gh lk{; lwph esa lfEefyr fd;k x;k gksA izfrijh{k.k ds nkSjku ,sls nLrkost+ksa dk mi;ksx U;k;ksfpr çfØ;k dk vax gSA [2026:RJ-JP:14234] (17 of 17) [CRLMP-7274/2024] o‚bl lSaiy nsus ds ç'u ds lanHkZ esa Hkh ;g LFkkfir fofèkd fLFkfr gS fd ;g vfHk;qä@ifjoknh@lk{kh ds ekSfyd vfèkdkjksa dk mYya?ku ugÈ ekuk tk ldrkA ;g ,d çfØ;kRed vko';drk gS] ftldk mís'; lR; dk vUos"k.k djuk gSA tgka rd fjd‚ÉMx dh lR;rk] mlesa fufgr vkokt lk{kh dh gS ;k ugÈ] vFkok mlesa mfYyf[kr dFku tSls fd ngst dh ekax okLro esa dh xbZ Fkh ;k ugÈ] bu lHkh ç'uksa dk ijh{k.k lk{; ds vkèkkj ij fopkj.k ¼Vªk;y½ ds nkSjku gh fd;k tk,xkA vr% lexz ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa ;g Li"V gS fd bl çkjafHkd pj.k ij mä o‚bl fjd‚ÉMx dh çkekf.kdrk vFkok mldh fo"k;oLrq ds lacaèk esa dksà vafre jk; O;ä djuk mfpr ugÈ gSA bu lHkh fookfnr rF;ksa dk fu"i{k ,oa fofèklEer ijh{k.k dsoy fopkj.k U;k;ky; }kjk lk{;ksa ds lE;d~ ewY;kadu ds mijkar gh fd;k tk ldrk gSA vr% mijksDr of.kZr fof/kd izko/kkuksa o izLrqr fofu'p;ksa esa vfHkfu/kkZfjr fl)karksa ds vk/kkj ij lk{kh dh izfrijh{kk ds nkSjku lk{kh ds okW;l lSEiy dks ysdj mls fo'ks"kK lk{; gsrq fof/k foKku iz;ksx'kkyk esa Hkstk tk ldrk gS o lk{kh dks okW;l lSaiy nsus ds fy, vknsf'kr djus ij Hkkjrh; lafo/kku ds vuqPNsn 20¼3½ esa of.kZr izko/kkuksa dk mYya?ku ugha ekuk tk ldrk gSA vr% fo}ku fof'k"B vij eq[; U;kf;d eftLVªsV ¼ih-lh-ih-,u-Mh- Vh-½ vtesj }kjk izdj.k la[;k 749@2020 jkT; cuke lq/kka'kq o vU; esa ikfjr vkns'k fnukad 19-10-2024 dks fof/k&fo#) ugha ekuk tk ldrk gSA vr% ;kph@ifjokfn;k }kjk izLrqr ;kfpdk varxZr /kkjk 528 Hkkjrh; ukxfjd lqj{kk lafgrk vLohdkj dj [kkfjt dh tkrh gSA ;fn dksbZ izkFkZuk i= yafcr gks rks os Hkh fuLrkfjr fd, tkrs gSaA (CHANDRA PRAKASH SHRIMALI),J KISHAN SONI /Res.