Sathyavani Ponrani vs Samuel Raj on 7 July, 2010
In this behalf the
ratio laid down in the case of R. Rathinam v. State by DSP [(2000) 2 SCC 391]
needs to be seen. In this case bail had been granted to certain persons. A group
of practising advocates presented petitions before the Chief Justice of the High
Court seeking initiation of suo motu proceedings for cancellation of bail. The
Chief Justice placed the petitions before a Division Bench. The Division Bench
refused to exercise the suo motu powers on the ground that the petition
submitted by the advocates was not maintainable. This Court held that the frame
of sub-section (2) of Section 439 indicates that it is a power conferred on the
courts mentioned therein. It was held that there was nothing to indicate that
the said power can be exercised only if the State or investigating agency or a
Public Prosecutor moves a petition. It was held that the power so vested in the
High Court can be invoked either by the State or by any aggrieved party. It was
held that the said power could also be exercised suo motu by the High Court. It
was held that, therefore, any member of the public, whether he belongs to any
particular profession or otherwise could move the High Court to remind it of the
need to exercise its power suo motu. It was held that there was no barrier
either in Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code or in any other law which
inhibits a person from moving the High Court to have such powers exercised suo
motu. It was held that if the High Court considered that there was no need to
cancel the bail then it could dismiss the petition. It was held that it was
always open to the High Court to cancel the bail if it felt that there were
sufficient reasons for doing so."