Court asks cops to probe why Kanda brothers were declared POs

Metropolitan Magistrate Vikrant Vaid ordered the probe despite the fact that the two brothers were recently acquitted in the case.

While ordering the probe, the court said getting declared proclaimed offenders for evading court summons and warrants and cheque bounce case were two different offences and one's acquittal in one case does not absolve one of the second offence.

The court told this to the station house officer of the Connaught Place police station, who had appeared before the court to seek clarification on whether further proceedings could be initiated against the duo who have already been acquitted in the cheque bounce case.

"The offence under section 174 A (proclaimed offender) of the Indian Penal Code and section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act (cheque bounce case) are two distinct offences.

"The acquittal of the accused in the compoundable offence under section 138 of NI act does not bar investigation into the offence under section 174 A IPC," MM Vaid said, while directing the police to go ahead with the investigation and submit their report by September 10.

The court earlier had asked police to file their report on as to what actions were taken against Kanda brothers for avoiding court summons and warrants by August 27. (More)