Delhi HC: Must follow due process before declaring someone proclaimed offender

Till September 2019, as per records of Delhi Police, there were 26,532 proclaimed offenders in Delhi — 3,826 had been arrested, prosecution was launched against 1,601 and properties of 28 were attached.

THE DELHI High Court has said it is necessary to ensure that legal processes regarding Proclaimed Offenders and attachment of their property are not issued in a routine manner and directed the Delhi Police Commissioner as well as the CBI Director to form an Internal Committee to formulate suggestions with respect to the issue. Justice J R Midha, in an order, said the report of the Committee be filed within a period of four weeks.

Till September 2019, as per records of Delhi Police, there were 26,532 proclaimed offenders in Delhi — 3,826 had been arrested, prosecution was launched against 1,601 and properties of 28 were attached.

Justice Midha said the court is of the view that declaring a person as a Proclaimed Offender leads to a serious offence under Section 174A, punishable for a period upto 3 or 7 years.

“It affects the life and liberty of a person… and it is necessary to ensure that the process… is not issued in a routine manner,” said the court.

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