Landmark Judgment on Admissibility of Electronic Evidence: A Legal Analysis

Deciphering Legal Judgments: A Comprehensive Analysis of Case Law

Reported as:

2023 (11) TMI 1211 - Supreme Court

This judgment discusses the admissibility of a certificate under Section 65-B of the Indian Evidence Act in a criminal case related to a serial bomb blast in Bangalore on 25.07.2008.

Key Issues Involved:

1. The admissibility of a certificate under Section 65-B of the Indian Evidence Act in the case.
2. Whether there was a delay in producing the certificate.
3. Whether the certificate was necessary when the original electronic devices were already produced as primary evidence.
4. The application of Section 311 of the Cr.P.C. (Code of Criminal Procedure) to recall a witness and produce the certificate.

Court's Discussions and Findings: The court discussed the facts of the case, the significance of the electronic devices seized during the investigation, and the objection raised by the defense regarding the production of the CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory) report prepared based on the electronic devices.

The court cited previous judgments, including Anvar P.V. v. P.K. Basheer and Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal, to establish that a certificate under Section 65-B of the Act is not required if the electronic record is used as primary evidence.

The court emphasized that the certificate under Section 65-B of the Act could be produced at any stage of the trial, and the delay in this case was not substantial.

Conclusion: The court allowed the appeal, set aside the orders of the lower courts, and permitted the prosecution to produce the certificate under Section 65-B of the Act. The court emphasized that this would not cause irreversible prejudice to the accused, and the trial should proceed further.

Implications and Impact: This judgment clarifies the admissibility of electronic evidence and the use of certificates under Section 65-B of the Indian Evidence Act in criminal trials. It establishes that such certificates can be produced at any stage of the trial, ensuring that electronic evidence can be considered without causing undue delays or prejudice to the parties involved. This decision may serve as a precedent in future cases involving electronic evidence in India.

Full Text:

2023 (11) TMI 1211 - Supreme Court