NEW DELHI: The Calcutta High Court has issued a scathing order against 2 judicial officers for failing to provide legal representation to an accused in a narcotics case.
Justice Krishna Rao directed disciplinary action against the Chief Judicial Magistrate and the District & Sessions Judge of Alipurduar for their serious lapse in not offering legal aid to the accused Sudhar Mangar during critical court proceedings.
The court emphasized this failure as a grave violation of constitutional protections afforded to every arrested person. While granting bail to Mangar, who was arrested on March 28, 2024, in an alleged cough syrup seizure case, the court identified multiple procedural violations.
The arrest memo notably lacked any mention of the grounds for arrest, despite constitutional and statutory requirements. Justice Rao observed, “The Arresting Officer has violated Article 22(1) of the Constitution and Section 52(1) of the NDPS Act by not informing the grounds of arrest,” underscoring how this fundamental right was completely overlooked.
The judgment detailed how the judicial system failed at multiple levels, from the initial arrest to remand proceedings. Neither the arresting officer nor the judicial officers ensured the accused understood why he was being detained.
The court rejected the prosecution’s argument that verbal explanation sufficed, noting the complete absence of evidence that any explanation was actually provided. This systemic failure left the accused completely vulnerable throughout the legal process.