Accused cannot be denied access to documents forming part of chargesheet: Supreme Court

📌 Summary:

• The Supreme Court held that an accused cannot be denied access to documents forming part of the chargesheet, as withholding them could seriously prejudice the right to a fair trial
• A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar directed that a typed copy of certain "highly confidential" documents be supplied to the accused
• The case involves retired Major General V.K. Singh, prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (case lodged in 2007)
• The ruling reinforces the fair-trial guarantee under Article 21 and principles of natural justice

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 Polity — fair trial as part of Article 21; rights of the accused; balancing State secrecy (OSA) with due process.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Official Secrets Act dates to 1923
• Right to fair trial is read into Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty)
• The judgment was delivered by Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar

🔑 Key Term: Fair trial — a constitutional guarantee under Article 21 ensuring the accused can adequately defend themselves, including access to evidence relied upon by the prosecution.