Kerala High Court: Detailed Reasons Essential in Discharge Orders, Rules Against Cryptic Decisions

The Kerala High Court has underlined the importance of providing detailed reasons in orders of discharge, stating that cryptic and non-speaking orders are not sustainable under the law. Justice A. Badharudeen highlighted this principle while addressing a recent case.

The case involved accused individuals facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including assault, obscenity, sexual harassment, voyeurism, criminal breach of trust, and cruelty by a husband or relative of the husband.

The accused initially sought discharge from the Magistrate Court, which was denied. Dissatisfied with this decision, they approached the High Court seeking relief.

Citing previous judgments, particularly the cases of Ghulam Hassan Beigh v. Mohammad Maqbool Magrey and Others (2022) and Nimmy Mathew v. State of Kerala (2023), the Court reiterated that orders of discharge must not be dismissed without providing adequate reasons.

In the present case, the Court examined the order passed by the Magistrate and found it to be detailed. The Magistrate had meticulously analyzed the prosecution's allegations and concluded that a prima facie case existed against the accused individuals. Consequently, the Court determined that this was not a suitable scenario for discharge, and the matter should proceed to trial.

In reaffirming the necessity for reasoned orders, Justice A. Badharudeen stated, "As far as the legal position regarding the essentials of an order of discharge is well settled. While passing an order of discharge by allowing the same or dismissing the same the Courts must have to state reasons for passing such orders and an order without recording reasons in the form of cryptic and non-speaking stature would not sustain under the law."

Ultimately, the criminal revision petition in this case was dismissed, emphasizing the Court's adherence to the principle of reasoned orders in legal proceedings.