Allahabad High Court
BAINAMI SINGH AND 4 OTHERSversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 2 OTHERS
- Decided
Holding
Arrest cannot be made until the court takes cognizance of the charge sheet.
Summary
Petitioners filed a criminal miscellaneous writ petition seeking relief from arrest. The State informed the court that a charge sheet had been filed but it was unclear whether the trial court had taken cognizance of the police report. The High Court noted the existence of an interim order in the writ petition and, to avoid premature arrest, directed that no arrest be made until cognizance is formally taken by the concerned court. The court emphasized that the filing of a charge sheet alone does not authorize arrest without cognizance. Consequently, the writ petition was disposed of with the protective direction. The decision underscores the procedural requirement of cognizance before arrest in criminal proceedings.
Issues considered
- Whether an arrest can be effected when a charge sheet is filed but cognizance has not been taken by the trial court
Subjects
- cognizance
- charge sheet
- arrest
- writ petition
- interim order
- criminal procedure
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CRIMINAL MISC. WRIT PETITION No. - 6712 of 2023
Bainami Singh And 4 Others
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 2 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Sonu Kumar Tiwari
Counsel for Respondent(s) : G.A.
Court No. - 44
HON'BLE SIDDHARTH, J.
HON'BLE VINAI KUMAR DWIVEDI, J.
1. Case called out in revised list.
2. Learned A.G.A. appearing for State-respondents informs that charge
sheet has already been filed in this case by the investigating officer, but he
is not certain whether cognizance has been taken by the court thereon or
not.
3. Since charge sheet has already been submitted, but the correct position
regarding the cognizance thereon is not clear, keeping in view the fact
there is interim order operating in this writ petition, the same is disposed
of directing that till the cognizance is taken on the police report by the
court concerned, the petitioner/petitioners shall not be arrested.
4. The writ petition stands disposed of.
(Vinai Kumar Dwivedi,J.) (Siddharth,J.)
May 6, 2026
Aditya
Digitally signed by :-
ADITYA KUSHWAHA
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
Checking your session…