Contention regarding validity of sanction: Ext.P19 is the sanction order for prosecution against A-1 and the same was under the signature of the then Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya. PW-18, Sri Kharkongor, Secretary in the Political Department, Government of Meghalaya was examined through whom Ext. P9 sanction order was exhibited.
25. Learned Counsel for A-1 contended that Under Section 6 of PC Act "no court shall take cognizance of offence unless previous sanction is obtained........" and so far as A-1 is concerned, Chief Secretary is not the competent authority to remove A-1 and A-1 was appointed by the Governor and the Governor of Meghalaya is the appointing authority, and therefore the sanction should be to the satisfaction of the Governor and Chief Secretary is only the authority communicating the sanction and the prosecution has not adduced any material to show that appointing authority-Governor of Meghalaya was satisfied that the relevant material to approve the sanction for prosecuting A-1 was placed before him.
26. The learned Counsel for the Respondents had taken us through the evidence of PW-18 and submitted that the Chief Secretary accorded the sanction on the basis of report of CBI placed before him and other materials as reflected in the note sheet of the file and then accorded the sanction for prosecuting A-1 and there is valid sanction for prosecution of A-1. Referring to the evidence of PW-18, the courts observed that the then Chief Secretary accorded the sanction on the basis of the report of CBI as reflected in the note sheet of the file and the sanction order does not suffer from any infirmity.
27. As per Article 166(2) of the Constitution of India, all orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of Governor shall be authenticated in such manner as may be specified in rules to be made by the Governor and the validity of an order or instrument which is so authenticated shall not be called in question on the ground that it is not an order or instrument made or executed by the Governor. It was not suggested to PW-18 that Chief Secretary has no power whatsoever to authenticate the orders and instruments made and executed in the name of Governor. During trial, the first accused also did not insist for production of the file nor suggested that the sanction order was not approved by the Governor. Referring to Article 166 of the Constitution of India, the trial court observed that the State must be having certain rules where orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of the Governor to be authenticated by certain officers of the State Government, the trial court negatived the contention of the first accused challenging the validity of sanction. We find no merit in the contention challenging the validity of sanction to prosecute first accused.
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Criminal Appeal No. 2056 of 2014 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 553/2011) and Criminal Appeal Nos. 2057-58 of 2014 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) Nos. 2203-2204/2011)
Decided On: 16.09.2014
Hon'ble Judges/Coram:
T.S. Thakur and R. Banumathi, JJ.
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