The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has allowed a petition filed by an accused in an illegal gratification case who had sought forensic examination of certain audio and video recordings.
The court was hearing the petition filed by C. J. Christopher Signi against the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Nagercoil. The application filed by the petitioner/accused seeking forensic examination of certain audio and video recordings and for securing a voice sample of the complainant was dismissed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
The petitioner, an electrical inspector in Tirunelveli district, is facing trial for an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act. It is alleged that he demanded and accepted illegal gratification of ₹8,000 from an electrical contractor for issuing a safety certificate for a 20 KVA generator.
He was arrested in 2018 pursuant to the trap laid by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing. The trial is at the stage of examination of defence witnesses. He said denial of opportunity undermines his right to present an effective defence and runs counter to the principles of fair trial.
Justice B. Pugalendhi observed that the petitioner, like any accused, is entitled to a fair opportunity to disprove the allegations against him. Denial of access to forensic comparison in the face of specific electronic material forming part of defence evidence amounts to curtailment of such a right.
The court directed the trial court to permit the forensic examination by a competent government forensic laboratory, by fixing an outer time limit, take necessary steps to secure the voice sample for the limited purpose of expert comparison and proceed with the trial expeditiously.
Published – July 11, 2025 10:25 pm IST
