Chandigarh, Sept. 17 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court has said that "re-investigation" in a criminal case can only be ordered by a superior court such as the high court and no such directions can be issued by a magistrate.

The high court bench of justice JS Bedi, said that re-investigation means a "de novo investigation", virtually washing off the investigation so conducted. However, as regards to "further investigation", it is the domain of the investigating agency but it is desirable that prior intimation of the same is given to the magistrate as the challan stands submitted in that particular case. ". 'further investigation' would mean some additional evidence has been found against the existing accused or some other person is to ...