Rajinder Singh Dagar v. Devta Enterprises & Anr

O R D E R %

14.11.2025

¶1The Petitioner is the complainant in CC NI Act No. 5482/2020 under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The case is presently at the stage of defence evidence.

¶2Counsel for the Petitioner submits that the accused has denied his signatures on Exhibits CW-1/K. Though the document were proved in complainant's evidence and attesting witnesses were examined, it is urged that, to obviate any ambiguity, the documents ought to be forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory.1 The Trial Court's refusal to forward the documents to FSL, despite the circumstances warranting such verification, has compelled the Petitioner to invoke the jurisdiction of this Court under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.2

¶3The Court has heard counsel and perused the impugned order. The Trial Court, without entering the merits, noted the heavy pendency at FSLs and the attendant delays and, as a practical course, left it open to the

1 "FSL" This is a digitally signed order. complainant to obtain an opinion from a private handwriting expert, if so advised.

¶4No error is made out. Referring documents to the FSL is discretionary. In view of persistent delays in FSL reporting and the present stage of trial, a referral without firm timelines risks derailing the trial. Expert opinion on handwriting can, in any case, be led through a qualified private examiner under Section 45 of the Evidence Act, and the Court may, where appropriate, undertake comparison under Section 73. At the defence-evidence stage, after the complainant has already adduced evidence, the Trial Court's decision to deny FSL referral, and instead permit private expert evidence is a balanced course that preserves the right of the parties while protecting trial timelines.

¶5In view of the above, no ground is made out to invoke jurisdiction under Section 528 BNSS. The petition is dismissed. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of.

SANJEEV NARULA, J NOVEMBER 14, 2025/as

2 "BNSS" This is a digitally signed order.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CRL.M.C. 8075/2025 & CRL.M.As. 33713-33714/2025 RAJINDER SINGH DAGAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. C.P. Malik and Mr. Rohan Bhatia, Advocates. versus DEVTA ENTERPRISES & ANR. .....Respondents Through: None. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA