The chargesheet must include precise and comprehensive entries, detailing the role of each accused, with witness statements enclosed : Supreme Court
In the case of Sharif Ahmed and others vs State of Uttar Pradesh, VAKIL AHMAD & ORS. VERSUS STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH THROUGH SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME & ANR., the Supreme Court stressed the significance of a meticulously prepared chargesheet for enabling a magistrate to take cognizance of an offense. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti emphasized that the chargesheet should include clear and complete entries for every column, ensuring clarity on which accused committed which crime and the evidence available.
The Court criticized the common practice of filing chargesheets lacking sufficient details or relevant evidence, noting instances where chargesheets merely reproduced FIR details without elaboration.
While recognizing that the chargesheet need not extensively evaluate evidence, the Court advocated including substantiated reasons for the offense, serving as a resource for the magistrate to assess grounds for cognizance.
Quoting from H.N. Rishbud and Inder Singh v. State of Delhi, the Court outlined the investigative process, including scene visits, fact ascertainment, arrests, evidence collection (including witness statements), and forming an opinion on offense commission.