(Prayer: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to direct the 2nd respondent to strictly comply with the order passed by the learned I Additional District and Sessions Judge, (PCR), Thanjavur in Crl.MP.No.549/2022 dated 13.10.2022 and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to complete the further investigaiton in crime No.1534 of 2020 pending on the file of the 3rd respondent police and file a final report within a stipulated time frame as fixed by this Court.)

Preface:

1. The advent of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 marks a constitutional transformation in India's criminal jurisprudence. For the first time since Independence, the criminal process has been consciously re-engineered to be victimcentric, citizen-responsive and justice-oriented, in contrast to the colonial enactments which were historically designed to subserve the interests of an imperial administration and to control its subjects.

2. The new Codes emphasise timeliness, transparency, accountability, and proportionality, recognising delay as a denial of justice. In particular, the BNSS, 2023, by codifying strict timelines for investigation in Section 193, ensures that the investigating agency cannot indefinitely keep the sword of uncertainty hanging over the head of an accused or allow victims to languish without closure. It is in this mandate of constitutional justice that the present petition deserves to be examined.

3. Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to direct the 2nd respondent to strictly comply with the order passed by the learned I Additional District and Sessions Judge, (PCR), Thanjavur in Crl.MP.No.549/2022 dated 13.10.2022 and consequently direct the 2nd respondent to complete the further investigation in crime No.1534 of 2020 pending on the file of the 3rd respondent police and file a final report within a stipulated time frame as fixed by this Court.

Submissions:

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that though further investigation was ordered on 13.10.2022 in Crl.M.P.No.549 of 2022 by the I Additional District and Sessions Court (PCR), Tirunelveli, no final report has been filed till date. Such delay is contrary to the statutory mandate under Section 193 BNSS, which prescribes time-bound investigation. It is therefore prayed that necessary directions be issued.

5. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the investigation is in progress and the investigating officer shall abide by any timeline fixed by this Court.

6. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

Analysis:

7. The BNSS has introduced a strict regime of time-bound investigation, which reads as follows:

                   (i) Section 193(1) BNSS mandates that every investigation under this Sanhita shall be completed without unnecessary delay. (ii) Section 193(2) BNSS mandates that in relation to offences punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more, the investigation shall ordinarily be completed within ninety days; and in all other offences, within sixty days. (iii) Section 193(3) BNSS, mandates that if the investigation is not completed within the period prescribed, the investigating officer shall record the reasons in writing and intimate the Magistrate of such delay.

8. The statute therefore creates (i) a positive duty to complete investigation promptly; (ii) outer time limits; and (iii) a compulsory accountability mechanism for delay. These provisions are mandatory in nature and bind the investigating agency.

9. The learned I Additional District and Sessions Court (PCR), Thanjavur has ordered further investigation in this case on 13.10.2022. So far the investigation has not culminated in a final report even after the lapse of the period contemplated under Section 193(2) BNSS. No material is placed before this Court to show that the reasons for delay were recorded in writing or that the same was intimated to the jurisdictional Magistrate as required under Section 193(3) BNSS.

10. Such unexplained delay defeats the very purpose of the reformed statutory architecture, which mandates expeditious investigation so that the criminal process becomes an instrument of justice rather than a prolonged ordeal.

11. Accordingly, this Court is inclined to issue appropriate directions.

12. In the light of the above statutory mandate and taking into account the facts and submissions, the following directions are issued:

                   (i) The respondent police is directed to complete the investigation in Crime No.1534 of 2020 and file a final report before the jurisdictional Court within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

                   (ii) If for any legally acceptable reason the investigation cannot be completed within the above period, the investigating officer shall strictly comply with Section 193(3) BNSS by recording reasons in writing and placing the same before the jurisdictional Magistrate without fail.

                   (iii) The petitioner is at liberty to work out his remedies in accordance with law if the above directions are not complied with.

Epilogue:

13. The BNSS, 2023 embodies a shift from a punitive colonial framework to a justice-centric democratic framework. Timely investigation is the first guarantee of fairness to both victim and accused. This Court expects diligent adherence to statutory timelines by the investigating agency.

14. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of with the above directions.