Inquiry into the means of an indigent person
Full Text
Every inquiry into the question whether or not a person is an indigent person shall be made, in the first instance, by the chief ministerial officer of the Court, unless the Court otherwise directs, and the Court may adopt the report of such officer as its own finding or may itself make an inquiry into the question.
Plain English Summary
Delegates the preliminary fact-finding inquiry regarding an applicant's financial assets and income to the court's chief ministerial officer (Nazir/Munsarim/Tehsildar), with residual judicial discretion in the judge to adopt the report or conduct a direct inquiry.
Key Legal Elements
- Inquiry Officer: Chief ministerial officer of the court (Nazir / Central Nazir) or revenue Tehsildar.
- Judicial Prerogative: Judge can adopt the ministerial report or conduct an in-court evidentiary inquiry.
- Revenue Verification: Obtaining revenue extracts, bank account queries, and local circle rate valuations.
Practical Note
Managing the Nazir's Indigency Report: When representing an indigent applicant, proactively facilitate the Nazir's or Tehsildar's verification by producing the local municipal income certificate, BPL ration card, or ward councilor's certificate. A favorable report from the Chief Ministerial Officer forms the primary basis for the court granting leave under Rule 7.
हिंदी पाठ
इस प्रश्न की प्रत्येक जांच कि क्या कोई व्यक्ति निर्धन व्यक्ति है या नहीं, प्रथम दृष्टया न्यायालय के मुख्य अनुसचिवीय अधिकारी (Chief Ministerial Officer - जैसे नाज़िर/मुंसरीम) द्वारा की जाएगी, जब तक कि न्यायालय अन्यथा निदेश न दे, और न्यायालय ऐसे अधिकारी की रिपोर्ट को अपने स्वयं के निष्कर्ष के रूप में अंगीकार कर सकेगा अथवा स्वयं उस प्रश्न की जांच कर सकेगा।