A.H. Satranjiwala vs The State Of Maharashtra on 14 August, 1970
Moreover, it was not a judgment on merits. The power under Section 561A, therefore, was rightly exercised. We do not, however, with respect, agree with the observations in that judgment to the effect that the power under Section 561A is not restricted in the manner we have stated above. Mr. Hussain also has drawn our attention to the majority judgment in Raj Narain v. State, where it has been held that all powers1 which are necessary to secure ends of justice existed in the High Court and their existence is recognized by Section 561A of the Criminal Procedure Code. Of course, it has also been laid down by the majority judgment that the inherent powers under Section 561A have to be exercised sparingly, carefully and with caution and only where such exercise is justified by the tests specifically laid down in the section itself. With respect, we are unable to agree with the majority judgment in so far as it construes Section 561A of the Code as conferring on the High Court a wide power for rehearing any matter whenever necessary to secure the ends of justice. We may point out that in the course of his dissenting judgment, Mootham C.J. has held that (p. 317):