The Bombay High Court has recently expressed serious concerns over the practice of police officers “copy-pasting” witness statements into charge sheets, labeling it a “dangerous culture” that could undermine the integrity of criminal investigations. This issue came to light when a division bench, upon reviewing a charge sheet in a suicide abetment case, found multiple identical witness statements, raising doubts about whether the police had even interviewed the witnesses .

The court emphasized that such practices are particularly alarming in serious criminal cases, as they may compromise the prosecution’s case and potentially benefit the accused. In response, the bench directed the Maharashtra government to formulate guidelines for recording witness statements and appointed advocate Mukul Kulkarni as amicus curiae to suggest improvements to the investigation process .

This intervention underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that investigations are conducted with due diligence and respect for the legal process, aiming to uphold the principles of justice and accountability.

Sources