Overview
The Supreme Court on 4 June 2026 expressed grave concern over the loss of case records in a 19‑year‑old criminal complaint from Gujarat. The Court said such loss undermines the criminal justice system and makes genuine complaints ineffective.
Key Developments
- Action against errant officer: The bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Augustine George Masih ordered the Gujarat Police to disclose disciplinary action taken against the officer who misplaced the records.
- Six‑week deadline: The investigation must be completed and a comprehensive report filed before the JMFC, Bhiloda within six weeks of the order.
- Criticism of the High Court: The Court rebuked the High Court for not exercising its extraordinary jurisdiction to intervene despite repeated delays.
- Affidavit requirement: The Gujarat State Government must file an affidavit detailing (a) disciplinary steps against the errant officer, (b) reasons for not informing the JMFC about missing records or untraceable witnesses, and (c) compliance with the six‑week deadline.
- Next hearing: The matter is listed again on 14 July 2026 for compliance reporting.
Important Facts
The original complaint was lodged in 2007 by the father of the appellants, alleging forgery of signatures, fabrication of a partition deed and sale deed, and related offences under the Indian Penal Code such as criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery. In 2017, the Gujarat High Court ordered a re‑investigation. While the material was being transmitted to the JMFC, the original case papers and report went missing, prompting a fresh investigation that has now stretched nearly two decades