Principle of Parity III

Posted on by Rudrajyoti Nath Ray

In cases where illegible documents have been supplied, a grave prejudice is caused since no man can defend himself against an unknown threat. It has been brought to our notice, co-detenue, Neeraj Varshney, has already been granted relief on grounds of illegible Chinese documents. Principle of Parity is squarely applicable. In cases of ‘preventive detention’, every procedural irregularity must be accrued in favour of detenue.      

– Hon’ble Justice Krishna Murari, Pramod Singla v. Union of India, [Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 10798 of 2022].

Chinese

High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru in Shri Narayanaswamy v. State of Karnataka, 2017 SCC OnLine Kar 1066 speaking through Aravind Kumar J (as he then was) observed, “Law of Parity is a desirable rule where case of accused is identical with co-accused, who is already enlarged on bail.“

The word ‘parity’ is defined by Cambridge Dictionary as ‘equality, especially of pay or position.’ The requirement of ‘position’ is not met only by involvement in same offence.

– Hon’ble Justice Sanjay Karol, Sagar v. State of Uttar Pradesh, [Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 8865 of 2025] decided on 28.11.2025.

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'The Last Word' seeks to include not only wise and witty sayings but also curiosities. These words are not of obligation but of delight. I am not alone in my refusal to believe, law is tedious. For all who escaped these percipient eyes, mea culpa maxima. History, after all, has many cunning passages, contrived corridors and issues.