Jharkhand HC: Maintainability of Criminal Revision Petitions Explained

The Jharkhand High Court clarified the scope and maintainability of criminal revision petitions, particularly addressing confusion surrounding concurrent jurisdiction between Sessions Courts and the High Court. The decision explains that although both courts possess revisional powers under Section 397 CrPC, litigants cannot bypass the statutory hierarchy unless compelling reasons exist. The Court stressed that revisions must be filed first before the Sessions Court unless exceptional circumstances justify direct High Court intervention. This interpretation protects judicial efficiency, prevents parallel remedies, and maintains procedural order. Additionally, the ruling discusses the limits of revisional review—confined to jurisdictional errors, legal irregularities, or perversity—and distinguishes it from appeals which permit re-appreciation of evidence. The judgment serves as guidance for practitioners in understanding revisional strategy and reinforces the disciplined application of CrPC provisions.