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This is an archive article published on August 25, 2021

Explained: Can Narayan Rane be booked in multiple FIRs for the same offence?

A total of 10 cases have been registered against Narayan Rane based on complaints given by Shiv Sena workers regarding his 'slap' remark against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Union Minister Narayan Rane addresses a press conference at his residence at Juhu in Mumbai, Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021. (PTI Photo)Union Minister Narayan Rane addresses a press conference at his residence at Juhu in Mumbai, Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021. (PTI Photo)

The Maharashtra Police Friday stated that 10 FIRs had been registered against Union Minister Narayan Rane in connection with his comments on Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray made in Mahad. But can multiple FIR’s be registered against the same accused for the same offence and can the person be arrested several times for the same offence?

How many cases have been registered against Narayan Rane?

A total of 10 cases have been registered against Narayan Rane based on complaints given by Shiv Sena workers regarding the same incident. These are at Pune, Pune rural, two FIRs in Nashik rural, Dhule, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Thane, Nashik and at Mahad in Raigad district, where the incident took place. On Tuesday, the minister was arrested in connection with the case registered by Raigad police and later granted bail.

Can multiple FIRs be registered against a person for the same offence?

As per a senior IPS officer of Maharashtra Police, as per the Supreme Court’s 2013 judgment in Lalita Kumari vs Government of UP & Others, if a person comes with a complaint regarding a cognisable offence at a police station, an FIR has to be registered. Hence 10 FIR’s were registered regarding the same incident at various police stations across the state. Regarding the way forward, the officer said the respective court where the alleged crime took place have to take a call.

Can the person be arrested and tried multiple times for the same offence though?

As per IPS officer turned lawyer YP Singh, a person cannot be arrested or have to stand trial for the same offence as it would amount to double jeopardy, something prohibited by Article 20(2) of the Indian Constitution which says “no person shall be prosecuted or punished for the same offence more than once”.

So what happens to the multiple cases registered against the person?

Singh said as per a Supreme Court order, multiple FIRs registered for the same offence will have to be clubbed together. In this case, the remark by Rane was made in Mahad so all the nine FIRs will be clubbed and sent to Mahad police station in whose primary jurisdiction the incident took place and they will investigate all the cases as if it is a single FIR. The norm is that there cannot be multiplicity of investigation related to the same incident and the accused cannot be punished for the same offences twice.

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Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

 

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