HC
Delhi High Court Requires Address Verification Before Proclaimed-Offender Orders
Nyaya Prep • Published • Updated • 3 min read
The Delhi High Court directed trial courts to independently verify service records and addresses before declaring an accused absconding or a proclaimed offender.
Key development
Trial courts in Delhi must follow the verification and reasoning safeguards before issuing such declarations.
Trial courts in Delhi must follow the verification and reasoning safeguards before issuing such declarations.
Background
The directions arose while the Court quashed an FIR under Section 174A IPC against a man declared an absconder in a cheque-dishonour prosecution.
Legal issue and reasoning
Justice Girish Kathpalia cautioned that pendency of proceedings and unverified service reports do not justify serious coercive declarations. Courts must determine deliberate evasion and record reasons after examining summons and warrant reports.
Outcome and next step
Trial courts in Delhi must follow the verification and reasoning safeguards before issuing such declarations.
Bench: Justice Girish Kathpalia
Act: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section: Section 174A IPC
Original report: LiveLaw
- Summons
- Warrants and Absconding Accused
- HC
- 9 October 2026