NEW DELHI, 26 JUNE

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea by the Karnataka Police challenging a High Court order that rejected the custody remand of a murder accused on the grounds that he was not informed of the reasons for his arrest.

A bench of Justices KV Viswanathan and N Kotiswar Singh said the matter “requires consideration” and issued notice to the accused, who was arrested on 17 February, 2023 in Hassan district.

The High Court, in its 17 April, 2024 order, had quashed the remand issued by the trial court and ordered the man's release, stating that he had not been informed of any “worthwhile particulars” regarding his arrest, nor was there written communication of the grounds, as required under evolving legal standards.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the police, argued that the High Court's ruling could become a precedent affecting several pending cases.

The apex court noted that a related petition—regarding whether the grounds of arrest must be furnished in every case—had its judgment reserved on 22 April. “The outcome of that verdict will impact this matter,” the bench said, listing the case for further hearing on 18 July.

The case raises critical questions on procedural compliance under Section 50 of the CrPC.