Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973–Sec. 102(3)–Non-reporting of the seizure forthwith to the jurisdictional Magistrate–Effect –It is not the mandate of law that the act should be done within a fixed time, it would mean that the act must be done within a reasonable time–The interpretation of the word ‘forthwith’ would depend upon the terrain in which it travels and would take its colour depending upon the prevailing circumstances which can be variable–In deciding whether the police officer has properly discharged his obligation u/s. 102(3) Cr.P.C., the Magistrate would have to firsty examine whether the seizure was reported forthwith–In doing so, it ought to have regarded to the interpretation of the expression forthwith–If it finds that the report was not sent forthwith, then it must examine whether there is any explanation offered in support of the delay–The act of seizure would not get vitiated by virtue of such delay.
