Ajay Singh to receive Rs. 10 lakhs for 57 days of unjust detention following faulty explosive trace detection.
In a landmark ruling, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has awarded a compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs to Ajay Singh, who was wrongfully incarcerated for 57 days due to procedural lapses and inadequate infrastructure in forensic laboratories. The judgment, delivered by Justice Deepak Khot, highlights the violation of Singh's fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
Ajay Singh, a businessman, was arrested at Bhopal Airport when an Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) machine erroneously indicated the presence of contraband substances in his luggage. The subsequent investigation revealed procedural inefficiencies, including delayed forensic testing and inadequate facilities, that led to Singh's prolonged detention without proper corroborative evidence.
The court held the State vicariously liable for these lapses, emphasizing the need for properly equipped forensic laboratories to prevent similar injustices in the future. It directed the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh to ensure all Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSLs) are provided with necessary equipment and personnel for scientific examination of contraband substances.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in upholding citizens' rights and mandates state accountability for wrongful actions by public authorities. The judgment also serves as a reminder of the importance of robust procedural safeguards in the criminal justice system to protect individuals from unjust detention.
Bottom line:-
Compensation awarded for wrongful incarceration due to procedural lapses and lack of proper infrastructure in forensic laboratories causing violation of fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Statutory provision(s): Article 21 of the Constitution of India, Article 226 of the Constitution, NDPS Act Sections 42 and 43
Ajay Singh v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (Madhya Pradesh)(Jabalpur) : Law Finder Doc id # 2901918
