Cr.M.P./2254/2026 of ABHIJIT DAS Vs UNION OF INDIA THROUGH CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ( CBI ) , DHANBAD BRANCH on 30 September 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Cr. M.P. No. 2254 of 2026

Abhijit Das aged about 64 S/o Late Anil Kumar Das, R/o Flat No. 405, Basundhara Apartment, 27, Italgachhi Road near Airport Gate No. 1, Kolkata P.O. Italgacha, P.S. Dundum Dist. Kolkata W.B.

… … Petitioner

Versus

Union of India through Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Dhanbad Branch having its office at Dhanbad, P.O. P.S. & Dist. Dhanbad

…

… Opp. Party --- CORAM :HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANUBHA RAWAT CHOUDHARY ---

For the Petitioner : Mr. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Advocate

: Mr. Abhijeet Kumar Singh, Advocate

For the CBI : Mr. Deepak Kumar Bharti, Advocate

---

05/30.09.2026 Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties.

2. This Cr. M.P. has been filed for quashing of the order dated 01.07.2026 passed by the Spl. Judge, CBI cum Additional Sessions Judge-V, Dhanbad in R.C. Case No. 01(A)/2021(D) registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act whereby the prayer of the petitioner to supply a cloned copy of the electronic documents appearing in the list of exhibits (exhibit 8,9 and 10) as appended to the final report form (charge sheet) submitted under Section 173 of the Cr. P.C. has been declined.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the case is at the stage of supply of police papers and the evidences being relied upon by the prosecution are necessary for the petitioner to take appropriate steps in the case. He submits that the clone copy of the electronic evidence as contained in list of material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 be provided to the petitioner so that the petitioner may take appropriate steps.

4. The learned counsel for the CBI has submitted that the material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 have submitted to the court concerned and the same can be provided to the petitioner only if a clone copy of the same is prepared which is required to be prepared by the CFSL. He submits that for that purpose the material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 is required to be provided to the I.O./H.I.O. of the opposite party in sealed cover by the court concerned so that it can be taken to CFSL for the preparation of clone and upon preparation of clone the CFSL shall hand over the same to the I.O./H.I.O. in sealed cover and the same is to be deposited before the court concerned and then the petitioner can have the clones of material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10. He submits that however the question of giving the clones is required to be accompanied by the certain affidavit to be furnished by the petitioner which would contain the following clauses: -

(a) The petitioner will not share the same with any person whatsoever; (b) The clone of material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 or any part thereof will not be uploaded in any audio or video media;

(c) The evidence to be considered and be presented before the court would be primary evidence i.e. the material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 and the clone copy be not taken as evidence as the primary evidence is available for consideration.

5. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and considering the fact that the material exhibits 8,9 and 10 are certainly required to be given to the accused person i.e. the petitioner. However, the modality for giving the same to the petitioner has been suggested by the learned counsel for the opposite party. In view of the submissions, the following directions are being issued: -

(i) The learned court shall handover the material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 to the I.O/H.I.O. in sealed cover within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

(ii) The I.O/H.I.O. will submit the same to the CFSL for the purposes of preparing the clone.

(iii) The CFSL shall prepare the clone and handover the clone as well as the original to the I.O/H.I.O. in separate sealed covers within a period of 15 days from receipt of material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10.

(iv) The I.O/H.I.O. shall submit the clones as well as the original to the learned court within a period of one week thereafter.

(v) Upon receipt of the material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 as well as the clone, the learned court shall hand over the clones to the petitioner upon an affidavit to be submitted by the petitioner to the following effect:

a. The petitioner will not share the same with any person whatsoever;

b. The clone of material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 or any part thereof will not be uploaded in any audio or video media;

c. The evidence to be considered and be presented before the court would be primary evidence i.e. the material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 and the clone copy be not taken as evidence as the primary evidence is available for consideration.

6. The needful be done by the court by handing over the clone copy upon receipt of the aforesaid affidavit within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of the clone and material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 back from I.O/H.I.O.

7. The impugned order shall not come in the way of the supply of the clone copies of material evidence at serial no. 8,9 and 10 to the petitioner upon receipt of affidavit mentioned above.

8. This Cr. M.P. is accordingly disposed of.

9. Let this order be communicated to the concerned court through FAX/e-mail.

(Anubha Rawat Choudhary, J.) Dated: 30.09.2026 Uploaded on 03.10.2026 Binit/