Supreme Court: How to appreciate evidence if investigating officer fails to investigate complaint of accused that he was falsely implicated due to political rivalry?

 The Investigating Officer (PW-8) was cross examined

on behalf of the defence, and a specific

suggestion was put to him with reference to the

complaints made by the accused-appellant and his

family members regarding false implication of the

accused-appellant at the behest of the local MLA. The

Investigating Officer admitted that the complaints

made on behalf of the accused and his family

members, supported by affidavits, had been received

by him, but he did not make any inquiry into such

complaints. {Para 28}

29. This omission assumes significance because the

defence was not merely putting forth a bare

suggestion of false implication. It had specifically

brought to the notice of the Investigating Officer that

the accused-appellant and his family members had

approached the authorities alleging that the

appellant was being falsely implicated and targeted

on account of political rivalry. Once such complaints

were admittedly received during the course of

investigation, the Investigating Officer was expected

to undertake at least some verification before

completely discarding the same. His failure to

conduct any inquiry on these complaints deprives the

Court of an important circumstance which could

have either fortified or dispelled the defence plea.

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO(S). 135 OF 2026

DHANRAJ  Vs STATE OF RAJASTHAN 

Author: Mehta, J.

Dated: SEPTEMBER 07, 2026.

Citation: 2026 INSC 958.

Read full judgment here: Click here.

Print Page