Negligence Vis-À-Vis Ignorance Of Fact With Reference To Responsibilities Of Investigative Officers

An investigative officer is the first stake holder of the criminal justice system who is responsible to bring each and every fact of the crime and to bring accused before the court of law. Sec- 328,Cr.P.C. emphasis on the inquiry of unsoundness of mind of an accused that believe to be suffering from any mental illness and a magistrate immediately directs prosecution for the a medical examination. If Magistrate is convinced that the person is of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defence, he shall postpone proceedings and referred the accused to the hospital for the treatment. Section- 100 to 105 of Mental Health Care Act, 2017 also laid down procedures to deal with mentally ill people who come in contact with law. However, it is found that investigative officers are either not aware of these criminal procedures or showing negligence towards it. Few cases of insanity were cometo notice by the Hon’ble High Courts where investigative officer’s negligence resulted into miscarriage of judgments by lower courts. In this research article authors discussed few cases where Court has found lacuna’s in investigative process and by setting past judgments aside deliver fresh judgment in the favour of an insane defendant. Researcher also explores the issue of human right violation by the criminal justice system itself. In conclusion some deliberations are made to eliminate such issues from criminal justice system.