Supreme Court of India

M/S Neeharika, Infrastructure Pvt. ... vs The State Of Maharashtra on 13 April, 2021

Equivalent citations: AIR 2021 SUPREME COURT 1918, AIRONLINE 2021 SC 192

Author:
M.R. Shah

Bench:
Sanjiv Khanna
,
M.R. Shah
,
Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud

REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 330 OF 2021

M/s Neeharika Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. …Appellant

Versus

State of Maharashtra and others …Respondents

JUDGMENT

M.R. SHAH, J.

1. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned interim order

dated 28.09.2020 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of

Judicature at Bombay in Writ Petition (ST) No. 2306 of 2020, by which,

in an application filed by private respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein

(hereinafter referred to as the ‘original accused’) under
Article 226
of the

Constitution of India r/w
Section 482
Cr.P.C. with a prayer to quash the

Signature Not Verified

Digitally signed by

Sanjay Kumar

Date: 2021.04.13

criminal proceedings being FIR No. 367/2019 dated 19.09.2019, the
15:46:27 IST
Reason:

High Court has directed that “no coercive measures shall be adopted”
against the original accused in respect of the said FIR, the original

complainant has preferred the present appeal.

2. That the appellant herein has lodged an FIR against respondent

nos. 2 to 4 herein – original accused at Worli Police Station, Mumbai for

the offences under
Sections 406
,
,
,
,
and
120B
of the

Indian Penal Code. That the allegations against the original accused

pertain to forgery and fabrication of Board Resolution and the fraudulent

sale of a valuable property Naziribagh Palace ad-measuring 111,882 sq.

ft. belonging to the appellant company to one M/s Irish Hospitality Pvt.

Ltd.

2.1 Apprehending their arrest in connection with the aforesaid FIR, the

original accused filed anticipatory bail application before the learned trial

Court under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. That the learned Sessions Court,

Mumbai granted interim protection from arrest to the alleged accused.

That the interim protection, which was granted by the learned Sessions

Court, was further extended from time to time and continued nearly for a

year thereafter. That during the pendency of the anticipatory bail

application pending before the learned Sessions Court, Mumbai, original

accused – respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein preferred a petition before the

High Court of Judicature at Bombay under
Article 226
of the Constitution

of India r/w
Section 482
Cr.P.C. for quashing the FIR, on 17.09.2020.
That the said writ petition was listed for hearing before the Division

Bench of the High Court on 22.09.2020, wherein an order was passed

directing the matter to be listed on 24.09.2020 before another Bench.

That on 28.09.2020, the writ petition was listed for hearing before

another Division Bench. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the

appellant herein (respondent no.2 before the High Court) prayed for two

weeks’ time to file an affidavit in reply with an additional compilation of

documents. That the Division Bench granted two weeks’ time to the

appellant herein to file an affidavit in reply with an additional compilation

of documents in the Registry on or before 12.10.2020 with copy to the

other side. Liberty was granted to the original accused (writ petitioners

before the High Court) to file rejoinder, if any, on or before 19.10.2020.

The matter was directed to be listed on board on 28.10.2020. While

adjourning the matter to 28.10.2020, the High Court has passed the

impugned interim order directing that “no coercive measures shall be

adopted against the petitioners (original accused – respondent nos. 2 to

4 herein) in respect of the said FIR”. When the aforesaid order was

being passed, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant

submitted that anticipatory bail application filed by the original writ

petitioners before the learned Sessions Court is pending for hearing and

the learned Sessions Court may get influenced by the said order and
therefore the Division Bench clarified that the learned Sessions Court

shall decide the anticipatory bail application on its own merits.

2.2 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned interim order

passed by the Division Bench of the High Court directing that “no

coercive measures shall be adopted” against the original accused (writ

petitioners before the High Court) in respect of the said FIR, the original

complainant has preferred the present appeal.

3. Shri K.V. Vishwanathan, learned Senior Advocate has appeared on

behalf of the appellant – original respondent no.2 – complainant, Shri

Diljeet Ahluwalia with Shri Malak Manish Bhatt, learned Advocates have

appeared on behalf of the original accused – writ petitioners –

respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein and Shri Sachin Patil and Shri Rahul

Chitnis, learned Advocates have appeared on behalf of the State of

Maharashtra.

3.1 Shri K.V. Vishwanathan, learned Senior Advocate appearing on

behalf of the appellant – original complainant has vehemently submitted

that such a blanket direction of the High Court restraining the

investigating officer from taking coercive measures, in the facts and

circumstances of the case, was not warranted at all.

3.2 It is submitted that, as such, the original accused – respondent

nos. 2 to 4 herein were already having the interim protection from the
learned Sessions Court, Mumbai in the anticipatory bail application

which was continued from time to time since last one year. It is

submitted that, as such, the original accused were not co-operating with

the investigation after having obtained the interim protection of arrest

and, in fact, the investigating officer addressed a communication to the

learned Sessions Court stating that the accused were not co-operating

with the investigation. It is submitted that therefore thereafter and that

too while enjoying the interim protection from arrest, to file an application

for quashing after a period of almost one year and obtain such an order

is nothing but an abuse of process.

3.3 It is submitted that, as such, no reasons whatsoever have been

assigned by the High Court while passing such an interim order of “no

coercive measures to be adopted/taken” against the original accused.

3.4 It is submitted that the High Court ought to have appreciated that

the original accused – respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein are facing very

serious charges for the offences under
Sections 406
,
,
,
,
and
120B
of the Indian Penal Code and, in fact, the FIR was transferred

to the Economic Offences Wing and the investigation was being

conducted by the Economic Offences Wing. It is submitted that, as

such, the original accused were not co-operating with the investigation

after having obtained the interim protection from arrest.
3.5 It is further submitted by Shri Vishwanathan, learned Senior

Advocate appearing on behalf of the appellant that, as such, by issuing

such a blanket direction restraining the investigating officer from taking

coercive measures against the original accused, the valuable right of the

investigating officer to investigate the offences has been hampered

and/or taken away.

3.6 Relying upon the decision of this Court in the case of
State of

Telangana v. Habib Abdullah Jeelani
, (2017) 2 SCC 779, it is submitted

by Shri Vishwanathan that as observed and held by this Court the

powers under
Section 482
Cr. P.C or under
Article 226
of the

Constitution of India to quash the first information report is to be

exercised in a very sparing manner and is not to be used to choke or

smother the prosecution that is legitimate. It is submitted that it is

observed by this Court in the aforesaid decision that inherent powers do

not confer an arbitrary jurisdiction on the High Court to act according to

whim or caprice. That such power has to be exercised sparingly, with

circumspection and in the rarest of rare cases. It is submitted that it

cannot be disputed that accused cannot approach the High Court under

Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India.

However, as held by this Court in catena of decisions, inherent power in

a matter of quashing of FIR has to be exercised sparingly and with
caution and when and only when such exercise is justified by the test

specifically
laid down in
the provision itself. It is submitted that in the

aforesaid decision it is observed and held that power under
Section 482

Cr.P.C. is very wide but conferment of wide power requires the Court to

be more cautious. It casts an onerous and more diligent duty on the

Court.

3.7 It is submitted that in a given case, the Court, having found that the

case falls within the parameters of exercise of powers under
Section 482

Cr.P.C. to quash the FIR, may pass appropriate interim orders as

thought apposite in law, but even such an interim order shall be passed

regard being had to the parameters of quashing and the self-restraint

imposed by law. It is submitted that even in such a case the High Court

has to consider the allegations made in the FIR or what has come out in

the investigation.

3.8 It is submitted that in a case the accused against whom the FIR is

lodged is apprehending arrest, a remedy is available to him to file the

anticipatory bail application under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. It is submitted

that even when the anticipatory bail application under
Section 438
is

filed, the same can be granted within the parameters of
Section 438

Cr.P.C. and the conditions of the said provision are satisfied. It is

submitted that, however, such a blanket order of no coercive steps
without imposing any condition whatsoever and without satisfaction of

the conditions of
Section 438
Cr.P.C. is not permissible at all.

3.9 It is further submitted that, as such, by passing such a blanket

order of “no coercive steps to be taken”, even the valuable right of the

investigating agency/police to investigate the FIR will be affected.

3.10 It is submitted that assuming that the High Court has jurisdiction to

pass an interim order in a given case, regard being had to the

parameters of quashing
,
in that case
also, such interim orders cannot be

passed mechanically and/or without assigning any reasons. It is

submitted that while granting such a protection, even the High Court has

to give some brief reasons why stay of investigation and/or such an

order of “no coercive steps” is warranted. It is submitted that there must

be a reflection of application of mind to the facts of the case; allegations

in the FIR and what has come out in the investigation. It is submitted

that, as such, when the investigation is in progress at the threshold, it is

not appropriate to stay the investigation of the case. It is submitted that

only in an exceptional case and rarest of rare case, the powers to quash

the FIR are required to be exercised sparingly and with circumspection.

It is submitted that the same parameters which shall be applicable while

exercising the powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article
of the Constitution of India to quash the FIR/investigation shall be

applicable while passing an appropriate interim order.

3.11 Shri Vishwanathan, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf

of the appellant has relied upon the following decisions on when a High

Court can grant a stay of investigation or “no coercive measures order”

in exercise of its powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C./under
Article 226
of

the Constitution of India and in support of his submissions that (1)

inherent powers do not confer an arbitrary jurisdiction on the High Court

to act according to whim or caprice and the statutory power has to be

exercised sparingly, with circumspection and in the rarest of rare cases;

(2) power of the police to investigate into a cognizable offence is

ordinarily not to be interfered with by the judiciary; (3) save in

exceptional case where non-interference would result in miscarriage of

Justice, the Court and the judicial process should not interfere at the

stage of investigation of offences; (4) in case a police officer

transgresses the circumscribed limits and improperly and illegally

exercises his powers in relation to the process of investigation, then the

Court has the necessary powers to consider the nature and extent of the

breach and pass appropriate orders; (5) the High Court being the highest

Court of a State should normally refrain from giving a prima facie

decision in a case where the entire facts are incomplete and hazy, more
so when the evidence has not been collected and produced before the

Court; (6) the High Court has no inherent powers to interfere with the

investigation, unless it is found that the allegations do not disclose the

commission of a cognizable offence or the power of investigation is

being exercised by the police malafidely; (7) the High Court should be

extremely cautious and slow to interfere with the investigation and/or trial

of criminal cases and should not stall the investigation and/or

prosecution except when it is convinced beyond any manner of doubt

that the FIR does not disclose commission of an offence or that the

allegations contained in the FIR do not constitute any cognizable

offence or that the prosecution is barred by law or the High Court is

convinced that it is necessary to interfere to prevent abuse of the

process of the Court.
In support of his above submissions, learned

Senior Advocate has relied upon the following decisions, namely,
King-

Emperor v. Khwaja Nazir Ahmad
AIR 1945 PC 18;
R.P. Kapur v. State

of Punjab
AIR 1960 SC 866;
Kurukshetra University v. State of Haryana

(1977) 4 SCC 451;
State of A.P. v. Golconda Linga Swamy
(2004) 6

SCC 522;
Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd. v. Mohd. Sharaful Haque

(2005) 1 SCC 122;
Sanapareday Maheedhar Seshagiri v. State of

Andhra Pradesh
(2007) 13 SCC 165;
State of Andhra Pradesh v.

Bajjoori Kanthaiah
(2009)1 SCC 114;
State of Maharashtra v. Arun
Gulab Gawali
(2010) 9 SCC 701; and
State of Orissa v. Ujjal Kumar

Burdhan
(2012) 4 SCC 547.

3.12 Shri Vishwanathan, learned Senior Advocate has heavily relied

upon the decision of this Court in the case of
State of Haryana v. Bhajan

Lal
, 1992 Supp (1) SCC 335, on when the High Court would be justified

in quashing the FIR/investigation. He has relied upon paras 60, 61, 102

and 103 respectively of the aforesaid decision.

3.13 Relying upon the decision of this Court in the case of
Imtiyaz

Ahmad v. State of Uttar Pradesh
, (2012) 2 SCC 688, it is submitted that

the power to grant stay of investigation and trial is very extraordinary

power given to the High Courts and such power is to be exercised

sparingly only to prevent abuse of process and to promote the ends of

justice.

3.14 Shri Vishwanathan, learned Senior Advocate also relied upon the

recent decision of this Court in the case of
Ravuri Krishna Murthy v. The

State of Telangana and others
(Criminal Appeal Nos.

274-275 of 2021,

decided on 05.03.2021), by which a somewhat similar order of protection

of not to arrest passed while not entertaining the quashing petition under

Section 482
, has been set aside by this Court considering the decision

of this Court in the case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra).
3.15 Shri Vishwanathan, learned Senior Advocate appearing on behalf

of the appellant has further submitted that in the case of
Asian

Resurfacing of Road Agency Private Limited v. Central Bureau of

Investigation
, (2018) 16 SCC 299, this Court has observed and held that

even in a case of challenge to the framing of the charge, wherever the

stay is granted by the High Court in exercise of its revisional jurisdiction

or otherwise, a speaking order must be passed showing that the case

was of an exceptional nature.

3.16 It is further submitted that in many of the cases it is seen that the

High Court while not entertaining the quashing petitions under
Section
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India and

while dismissing such petitions, still grants interim protection/protection

of not to arrest for a particular period or even till the report is filed under

Section 173
Cr.P.C. It is submitted that the aforesaid is absolutely

impermissible and such an order of not to arrest for a particular period

can be said to be beyond the scope and ambit of
Section 482
Cr.P.C.

Once the quashing petition is dismissed, the accused may avail the

remedy of approaching the trial Court and/or the concerned Court for

anticipatory bail under
Section 438
Cr.P.C and the same can be

considered while imposing the conditions and/or having been satisfied

that the conditions of grant of anticipatory bail are satisfied. It is
submitted that in a given case the immediate custodial investigation is

warranted and in view of such a blanket order of not to arrest, will take

away the right of the investigating agency/police to investigate into the

allegations in the FIR. It is submitted that as held by this Court in catena

of decisions and even as per the provisions of the
Cr.P.C
., the

police/investigating officer has the statutory obligation to investigate into

the allegations in the FIR and to find out the truth. It is submitted that

therefore such a protection while dismissing the petition under
Section
Cr.P.C and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India is not

sustainable and is wholly impermissible. It is submitted that despite

such orders have been criticized by this Court in the case of
Habib

Abdullah Jeelani
(supra), still the High Courts are passing such orders,

disregarding the law
laid down by
this Court.

4. Shri Diljeet Ahluwalia and Shri Malak Manish Bhatt, learned

Advocates appearing on behalf of the original accused – respondent

nos. 2 to 4 herein have vehemently submitted that, as such, in the facts

and circumstances of the case and looking to the nature of the

allegations made in the FIR and the dispute which, as such, can be said

to be a civil dispute, no error has been committed by the High Court in

passing such an order of “no coercive steps” against respondent nos. 2

to 4 herein – original accused – original writ petitioners.
4.1 Number of submissions have been made by the learned

Advocates appearing on behalf of respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein –

original accused – original writ petitioners on merits and in support of

their submissions that the impugned FIR is nothing but an abuse of

process of law and that a civil dispute is tried to be converted into a

criminal dispute, only with a view to harass respondent nos. 2 to 4

herein. However, we do not propose to deal with the case on merits and

consider whether the impugned FIR is an abuse of process of law or not,

as
Section 482
petition is yet required to be dealt with by the High Court

on merits in the pending proceedings.

4.2 Learned Advocates appearing on behalf of respondent nos. 2 to 4

herein – original accused – original writ petitioners have submitted that

as held by this Court in catena of decisions, the powers possessed by

the High Court under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of the

Constitution of India are very wide. It is submitted that as held by this

Court, the High Court may exercise its powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C.

and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India relating to

cognizable offences to prevent abuse of process of any court or

otherwise to secure the ends of justice. It is submitted therefore in

exercise of its wholesome powers, the High Court would be justified and

entitled to quash the proceedings. It is submitted that similarly the High
Court would be justified and entitled to stay the further investigation and

even grant an interim order of stay of arrest and/or “no coercive

measures to be taken”.

4.3 It is submitted that in the case of
State of Karnataka v. L.

Muniswamy
, (1977) 2 SCC 699, it is observed by this Court that the High

Court in its inherent powers is designed to achieve a salutary public

purpose which is that a court proceeding ought not to be permitted to

degenerate into a weapon of harassment or persecution.

4.4 It is submitted that if the Court is of the prima facie view that further

investigation or proceedings pursuant to the FIR is likely to cause

unwarranted and unjustified harassment to the petitioner, the Court may

grant an order of “no coercive measures” in favour of the accused.

4.5 It is further submitted by the learned Advocates appearing on

behalf of respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein – original accused – original writ

petitioners that powers to grant interim stay/interim relief in a quashing

petition under
Section 482
Cr.P.C and/or under
Article 226
of the

Constitution of India are akin to the powers of the civil court under
Order

XXXIX Rule 1 CPC
, namely, prima facie case; balance of convenience

and irreparable loss. It is submitted that therefore an interim injunction

restraining the police from investigation consequent to the FIR can be
justified on the touchstone of balance of convenience, irreparable loss

and a prima facie case.

4.6 Relying upon the decision of this Court in the case of
Imtiyaz

Ahmad
(supra), it is submitted that the authority of the High Court to

order stay of investigation pursuant to lodging of the FIR or trial in

deserving cases is unquestionable. However, the learned Advocates

have fairly conceded that wherever stay is granted, a speaking order

must be passed showing that the case is of an exceptional nature.

4.7 It is vehemently submitted by the learned Advocates that when a

criminal proceeding initiated pursuant to the FIR/complaint is nothing but

an abuse of process of law and/or the same is wholly without jurisdiction

or where it manifestly appears that there is a legal bar against the

institution or continuance of the criminal proceeding in respect of the

offence alleged or where the allegations in the FIR/complaint even if they

are taken at the face value and accepted in their entirety, do not

constitute the offence alleged and exceptional case being made out on

the grounds mentioned by this Court in the cases of
Bhajan Lal
(supra);

R.P. Kapur
(supra); and
Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd.
(supra), by

giving brief reasons, the High Court would be justified in even staying the

further investigation, by way of an interim order. It is submitted that

misuse of criminal proceedings is not unknown and the criminal law
cannot be set into motion as a matter of course and therefore to take

away the inherent powers of the High Court would not be in the larger

public interest also.

4.8 Relying upon the decision of this Court in the case of
Rajiv Thapar

V. Madan Lal Kapoor
, (2013) 3 SCC 330, it is submitted that while

exercising the powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C., the High Court is

required to undertake step-wise enquiry as mentioned in para 30 of
the

said decision
and if the answer to all the steps is in the affirmative, the

High Court would be justified in quashing the criminal proceedings.

It is

submitted that the grounds on which the criminal proceedings can be

quashed in exercise of powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C., the very

grounds can be made applicable while granting stay of further

investigation, pending the quashing petition under
Section 482
Cr.P.C.

4.9 In support of his submissions, learned Advocates have relied upon

the following decisions of this Court and various High Courts, namely,

State of U.P. v. Mohammad Naim
AIR 1964 SC 703;
L. Muniswamy

(supra);
State of Andhra Pradesh v. Gourishetty Mahesh
(2010) 11 SCC

226;
Vijeta Gajra v. State (NCT of Delhi
), (2010) 11 SCC 618;
Rajiv

Thapar
(supra); State of Maharashtra v. Sanjay Dalmia, (2015) 17 SCC

539;
Amish Devgan v. Union of India
, (2021) 1 SCC 1; the decision of

the Delhi High Court in
Ganga Ram Hospital v. State
dated 22.06.2020
in CRL.M.A. No. 7661/2020 in W.P. (CRL.)

No. 921/2020; the decision of

the Rajasthan High Court in
Noor Taki Alias Mammu v. State of

Rajasthan
dated 26.02.1986 AIR 1987 RAJ 52; and decision of the

Bombay High Court in
Madhukar Purshottam Mondkar v. Talab Haji

Hussain
dated 14.01.1958 AIR 1958 BOM 406.

5. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the respective

parties at length.

6. The principal issue which arises is when and where the High Court

would be justified in passing an interim order either staying the further

investigation in the FIR/complaint or interim order in the nature of “no

coercive steps” and/or not to arrest the accused either pending

investigation by the police/investigating agency or during the pendency

of the quashing petition under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article
of the Constitution of India pending before the High Court?

7. While considering the aforesaid issue, law on the exercise of

powers by the High Court under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article
of the Constitution of India to quash the FIR/complaint and the

parameters for exercise of such powers and scope and ambit of the

power by the High Court under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article
of the Constitution of India are required to be referred to as the very
parameters which are required to be applied while quashing the FIR will

also be applicable while granting interim stay/protection.

7.1 The first case on the point which is required to be noticed is the

decision of this Court in the case of
R.P. Kapur
(supra). While dealing

with the inherent powers of the High Court under Section 561-A of the

earlier Code (which is pari materia with
Section 482
of the Code), it is

observed and held that the inherent powers of the High Court under

Section 561 of the earlier Code cannot be exercised in regard to the

matters specifically covered by the other provisions of the Code; the

inherent jurisdiction of the High Court can be exercised to quash

proceedings in a proper case either to prevent the abuse of the process

of any court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice; ordinarily criminal

proceedings instituted against an accused person must be tried under

the provisions of the Code, and the High Court would be reluctant to

interfere with the said proceedings at an interlocutory stage. After

observing this, thereafter this Court then carved out some exceptions to

the above-stated rule, which are as under:

“(i) Where it manifestly appears that there is a legal bar against
the institution or continuance of the criminal proceeding in respect of
the offence alleged. Absence of the requisite sanction may, for
instance, furnish cases under this category.

(ii) Where the allegations in the first information report or the
complaint, even if they are taken at their face value and accepted in
their entirety, do not constitute the offence alleged; in such cases no
question of appreciating evidence arises; it is a matter merely of
looking at the complaint or the first information report to decide
whether the offence alleged is disclosed or not.

(iii) Where the allegations made against the accused person do
constitute an offence alleged but there is either no legal evidence
adduced in support of the case or the evidence adduced clearly or
manifestly fails to prove the charge. In dealing with this class of cases it
is important to bear in mind the distinction between a case where there
is no legal evidence or where there is evidence which is manifestly and
clearly inconsistent with the accusation made and cases where there is
legal evidence which on its appreciation may or may not support the
accusation in question. In exercising its jurisdiction under Section 561-

A the High Court would not embark upon an enquiry as to whether the
evidence in question is reliable or not. That is the function of the trial
Magistrate, and ordinarily it would not be open to any party to invoke
the High Court's inherent jurisdiction and contend that on a reasonable
appreciation of the evidence the accusation made against the accused
would not be sustained.”

7.2 In the case of
Kurukshetra University
(supra), this Court observed

and held that inherent powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. do not confer

an arbitrary jurisdiction on the High Court to act according to whim or

caprice; that statutory power has to be exercised sparingly with

circumspection and in the rarest of rare cases. In the case before this

Court, the High Court quashed the first information report filed by the

Kurukshetra University through Warden and that too without issuing

notice to the University, in exercise of inherent powers under
Section
Cr.P.C. This Court noticed and observed that the High Court was

not justified in quashing the FIR when the police had not even

commenced investigation into the complaint filed by the Warden of the

University and no proceedings were at all pending before any Court in

pursuance of the FIR.
7.3 Then comes the celebrated decision of this Court in the case of

Bhajan Lal
(supra). In
the said decision
, this Court considered in detail

the scope of the High Court powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or

Article 226
of the Constitution of India to quash the FIR and referred to

several judicial precedents and held that the High Court should not

embark upon an inquiry into the merits and demerits of the allegations

and quash the proceedings without allowing the investigating agency to

complete its task. At the same time, this Court identified the following

cases in which FIR/complaint can be quashed:

“102.(1) Where the allegations made in the first information
report or the complaint, even if they are taken at their face value and
accepted in their entirety do not prima facie constitute any offence or
make out a case against the accused.

(2) Where the allegations in the first information report and other
materials, if any, accompanying the FIR do not disclose a cognizable
offence, justifying an investigation by police officers under
Section
156(1)
of the Code except under an order of a Magistrate within the
purview of
Section 155(2)
of the Code.

(3) Where the uncontroverted allegations made in the FIR or
complaint and the evidence collected in support of the same do not
disclose the commission of any offence and make out a case against
the accused.

(4) Where the allegations in the FIR do not constitute a
cognizable offence but constitute only a non-cognizable offence, no
investigation is permitted by a police officer without an order of a
Magistrate as contemplated under
Section 155(2)
of the Code.

(5) Where the allegations made in the FIR or complaint are so
absurd and inherently improbable on the basis of which no prudent
person can ever reach a just conclusion that there is sufficient ground
for proceeding against the accused.

(6) Where there is an express legal bar engrafted in any of the
provisions of the Code or the Act concerned (under which a criminal
proceeding is instituted) to the institution and continuance of the
proceedings and/or where there is a specific provision in the Code or
the Act concerned, providing efficacious redress for the grievance of
the aggrieved party.

(7) Where a criminal proceeding is manifestly attended with
mala fide and/or where the proceeding is maliciously instituted with an
ulterior motive for wreaking vengeance on the accused and with a view
to spite him due to private and personal grudge.”

7.4 In the case of
Golconda Lingaswamy
(supra), after considering the

decisions of this Court in the cases of
R.P. Kapur
(supra) and
Bhajan Lal

(supra) and other decisions on the exercise of inherent powers by the

High Court under
Section 482
Cr.P.C., in paragraphs 5, 7 and 8, it is

observed and held as under:

“5. Exercise of power under
Section 482
of the Code in a case
of this nature is the exception and not the rule. The section does not
confer any new powers on the High Court. It only saves the inherent
power which the Court possessed before the enactment of the Code. It
envisages three circumstances under which the inherent jurisdiction
may be exercised, namely: (i) to give effect to an order under the Code,

(ii) to prevent abuse of the process of court, and (iii) to otherwise
secure the ends of justice. It is neither possible nor desirable to lay
down any inflexible rule which would govern the exercise of inherent
jurisdiction. No legislative enactment dealing with procedure can
provide for all cases that may possibly arise. Courts, therefore, have
inherent powers apart from express provisions of law which are
necessary for proper discharge of functions and duties imposed upon
them by law. That is the doctrine which finds expression in the section
which merely recognises and preserves inherent powers of the High
Courts. All courts, whether civil or criminal, possess in the absence of
any express provision, as inherent in their constitution, all such powers
as are necessary to do the right and to undo a wrong in course of
administration of justice on the principle quando lex aliquid alique
concedit, conceditur et id sine quo res ipsa esse non potest (when the
law gives a person anything, it gives him that without which it cannot
exist). While exercising powers under the section, the Court does not
function as a court of appeal or revision.
Inherent jurisdiction under the
section though wide has to be exercised sparingly, carefully and with
caution and only when such exercise is justified by the tests specifically

laid down in
the section itself. It is to be exercised ex debito justitiae to
do real and substantial justice for the administration of which alone
courts exist. Authority of the court exists for advancement of justice and
if any attempt is made to abuse that authority so as to produce
injustice, the court has power to prevent such abuse. It would be an
abuse of the process of the court to allow any action which would result
in injustice and prevent promotion of justice. In exercise of the powers
court would be justified to quash any proceeding if it finds that initiation
or continuance of it amounts to abuse of the process of court or
quashing of these proceedings would otherwise serve the ends of
justice. When no offence is disclosed by the complaint, the court may
examine the question of fact. When a complaint is sought to be
quashed, it is permissible to look into the materials to assess what the
complainant has alleged and whether any offence is made out even if
the allegations are accepted in toto.

7. In dealing with the last category, it is important to bear in mind
the distinction between a case where there is no legal evidence or
where there is evidence which is clearly inconsistent with the
accusations made, and a case where there is legal evidence which, on
appreciation, may or may not support the accusations. When
exercising jurisdiction under
Section 482
of the Code, the High Court
would not ordinarily embark upon an enquiry whether the evidence in
question is reliable or not or whether on a reasonable appreciation of it
accusation would not be sustained. That is the function of the trial
Judge. Judicial process, no doubt should not be an instrument of
oppression, or, needless harassment. Court should be circumspect and
judicious in exercising discretion and should take all relevant facts and
circumstances into consideration before issuing process, lest it would
be an instrument in the hands of a private complainant to unleash
vendetta to harass any person needlessly. At the same time the section
is not an instrument handed over to an accused to short-circuit a
prosecution and bring about its sudden death…..

8. As noted above, the powers possessed by the High Court
under
Section 482
of the Code are very wide and the very plenitude of
the power requires great caution in its exercise. Court must be careful
to see that its decision in exercise of this power is based on sound
principles. The inherent power should not be exercised to stifle a
legitimate prosecution. High Court being the highest court of a State
should normally refrain from giving a prima facie decision in a case
where the entire facts are incomplete and hazy, more so when the
evidence has not been collected and produced before the Court and
the issues involved, whether factual or legal, are of magnitude and
cannot be seen in their true perspective without sufficient material. Of
course, no hard-and-fast rule can be
laid down in
regard to cases in
which the High Court will exercise its extraordinary jurisdiction of
quashing the proceeding at any stage.
[See
Janata Dal v. H.S.
Chowdhary
[(1992) 4 SCC 305 : 1993 SCC (Cri) 36 : AIR 1993 SC 892]
and Raghubir Saran (Dr.) v. State of Bihar [AIR 1964 SC 1 : (1964) 1
Cri LJ 1] .] It would not be proper for the High Court to analyse the case
of the complainant in the light of all probabilities in order to determine
whether a conviction would be sustainable and on such premises,
arrive at a conclusion that the proceedings are to be quashed. It would
be erroneous to assess the material before it and conclude that the
complaint cannot be proceeded with. In a proceeding instituted on
complaint, exercise of the inherent powers to quash the proceedings is
called for only in a case where the complaint does not disclose any
offence or is frivolous, vexatious or oppressive. If the allegations set
out in the complaint do not constitute the offence of which cognisance
has been taken by the Magistrate, it is open to the High Court to quash
the same in exercise of the inherent powers under
Section 482
of the
Code. It is not, however, necessary that there should be meticulous
analysis of the case before the trial to find out whether the case would
end in conviction or acquittal. The complaint/FIR has to be read as a
whole. If it appears that on consideration of the allegations in the light
of the statement made on oath of the complainant or disclosed in the
FIR that the ingredients of the offence or offences are disclosed and
there is no material to show that the complaint/FIR is mala fide,
frivolous or vexatious, in that event there would be no justification for
interference by the High Court. When an information is lodged at the
police station and an offence is registered, then the mala fides of the
informant would be of secondary importance. It is the material collected
during the investigation and evidence led in court which decides the
fate of the accused person.

The allegations of mala fides against the
informant are of no consequence and cannot by themselves be the
basis for quashing the proceeding.”

7.5 In the case of
Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd.
(supra), in

paragraph 11, this Court has observed and held as under:

“11. … the powers possessed by the High Court under
Section 482
of
the Code are very wide and the very plenitude of the power requires
great caution in its exercise. Court must be careful to see that its
decision in exercise of this power is based on sound principles. The
inherent power should not be exercised to stifle a legitimate
prosecution. The High Court being the highest court of a State should
normally refrain from giving a prima facie decision in a case where the
entire facts are incomplete and hazy, more so when the evidence has
not been collected and produced before the court and the issues
involved, whether factual or legal, are of magnitude and cannot be
seen in their true perspective without sufficient material. of course, no
hard-and-fast rule can be
laid down in
regard to cases in which the
High Court will exercise its extraordinary jurisdiction of quashing the
proceeding at any stage. It would not be proper for the High Court to
analyse the case of the complainant in the light of all probabilities in
order to determine whether a conviction would be sustainable and on
such premise arrive at a conclusion that the proceedings are to be
quashed. It would be erroneous to assess the material before it and
conclude that the complaint cannot be proceeded with. In a
proceeding instituted on complaint, exercise of the inherent powers to
quash the proceedings is called for only in a case where the complaint
does not disclose any offence or is frivolous, vexatious or oppressive.
If the allegations set out in the complaint do not constitute the offence
of which cognizance has been taken by the Magistrate, it is open to
the High Court to quash the same in exercise of the inherent powers
under
Section 482
of the Code. It is not, however, necessary that there
should be meticulous analysis of the case before the trial to find out
whether the case would end in conviction or acquittal. The complaint
has to be read as a whole. If it appears that on consideration of the
allegations in the light of the statement made on oath of the
complainant that the ingredients of the offence or offences are
disclosed and there is no material to show that the complaint is mala
fide, frivolous or vexatious, in that event there would be no justification
for interference by the High Court. When an information is lodged at
the police station and an offence is registered, then the mala fides of
the informant would be of secondary importance. It is the material
collected during the investigation and evidence led in court which
decides the fate of the accused person.

The allegations of mala fides
against the informant are of no consequence and cannot by
themselves be the basis for quashing the proceedings.”

7.6 In the case of
Sanapareddy Maheedhar Seshagiri
(supra), in

paragraph 31, it is observed and held as under:

“31. A careful reading of the abovenoted judgments makes it
clear that the High Court should be extremely cautious and slow to
interfere with the investigation and/or trial of criminal cases and should
not stall the investigation and/or prosecution except when it is
convinced beyond any manner of doubt that FIR does not disclose
commission of any offence or that the allegations contained in FIR do
not constitute any cognizable offence or that the prosecution is barred
by law or the High Court is convinced that it is necessary to interfere to
prevent abuse of the process of the Court. In dealing with such cases,
the High Court has to bear in mind that judicial intervention at the
threshold of the legal process initiated against a person accused of
committing offence is highly detrimental to the larger public and
societal interest. The people and the society have a legitimate
expectation that those committing offences either against an individual
or the society are expeditiously brought to trial and, if found guilty,
adequately punished. Therefore, while deciding a petition filed for
quashing FIR or complaint or restraining the competent authority from
investigating the allegations contained in FIR or complaint or for stalling
the trial of the case, the High Court should be extremely careful and
circumspect. If the allegations contained in FIR or complaint disclose
commission of some crime, then the High Court must keep its hands
off and allow the investigating agency to complete the investigation
without any fetter and also refrain from passing order which may
impede the trial.
The High Court should not go into the merits and
demerits of the allegations simply because the petitioner alleges malus
animus against the author of FIR or the complainant. The High Court
must also refrain from making imaginary journey in the realm of
possible harassment which may be caused to the petitioner on account
of investigation of FIR or complaint. Such a course will result in
miscarriage of justice and would encourage those accused of
committing crimes to repeat the same. However, if the High Court is
satisfied that the complaint does not disclose commission of any
offence or prosecution is barred by limitation or that the proceedings of
criminal case would result in failure of justice, then it may exercise
inherent power under
Section 482
CrPC.”

7.7 In the case of
Arun Gulab Gawali
(supra), this Court set aside the

order passed by the High Court quashing the criminal complaint/FIR

which was even filed by the complainant. In the case before this Court,

prayer for quashing the FIR before the High Court was by the

complainant himself and the High Court quashed the FIR/complaint in

exercise of the powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. Quashing and setting

aside the judgment and order passed by the High Court quashing the

FIR, this Court in paragraphs 13 and 27 to 29 has observed as under:

“13. The power of quashing criminal proceedings has to be
exercised very sparingly and with circumspection and that too in the
rarest of rare cases and the Court cannot be justified in embarking
upon an enquiry as to the reliability or genuineness or otherwise of
allegations made in the FIR/complaint, unless the allegations are so
patently absurd and inherently improbable so that no prudent person
can ever reach such a conclusion. The extraordinary and inherent
powers of the Court do not confer an arbitrary jurisdiction on the Court
to act according to its whims or caprice. However, the Court, under its
inherent powers, can neither intervene at an uncalled for stage nor
can it “soft-pedal the course of justice” at a crucial stage of
investigation/proceedings. The provisions of
Articles 226
, 227
of the
Constitution of India and
Section 482
of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter called as “
CrPC
”) are a device to
advance justice and not to frustrate it. The power of judicial review is
discretionary, however, it must be exercised to prevent the miscarriage
of justice and for correcting some grave errors and to ensure that
stream of administration of justice remains clean and pure. However,
there are no limits of power of the Court, but the more the power, the
more due care and caution is to be exercised in invoking these
powers. (Vide State of W.B. v. Swapan Kumar Guha [(1982) 1 SCC
561 : 1982 SCC (Cri) 283 : AIR 1982 SC 949] , Pepsi Foods
Ltd. v. Special Judicial Magistrate [(1998) 5 SCC 749 : 1998 SCC (Cri)
1400] , G. Sagar Suri v. State of U.P. [(2000) 2 SCC 636 : 2000 SCC
(Cri) 513 : AIR 2000 SC 754] and Ajay Mitra v. State of M.P. [(2003) 3
SCC 11 : 2003 SCC (Cri) 703] )

xxx xxx xxx

27. The High Court proceeded on the perception that as the
complainant himself was not supporting the complaint, he would not
support the case of the prosecution and there would be no chance of
conviction, thus the trial itself would be a futile exercise. Quashing of
FIR/complaint on such a ground cannot be held to be justified in law.

Ordinarily, the Court of Session is empowered to discharge an
accused under
Section 227
CrPC even before initiating the trial. The
accused can, therefore, move the trial court itself for such a relief and
the trial court would be in a better position to analyse and pass an
order as it is possessed of all the powers and the material to do so. It
is, therefore, not necessary to invoke the jurisdiction under
Section
CrPC for the quashing of a prosecution in such a case. The
reliance on affidavits by the High Court would be a weak, hazy and
unreliable source for adjudication on the fate of a trial. The
presumption that an accused would never be convicted on the
material available is too risky a proposition to be accepted readily,
particularly in heinous offences like extortion.
28. A claim founded on a denial by the complainant even before
the trial commences coupled with an allegation that the police had
compelled the lodging of a false FIR, is a matter which requires further
investigation as the charge is levelled against the police. If the
prosecution is quashed, then neither the trial court nor the
investigating agency has any opportunity to go into this question,
which may require consideration. The State is the prosecutor and all
prosecution is the social and legal responsibility of the State. An
offence committed is a crime against society and not against the victim
alone. The victim under undue pressure or influence of the accused or
under any threat or compulsion may resile back but that would not
absolve the State from bringing the accused to book, who has
committed an offence and has violated the law of the land.

29. Thus, while exercising such power the Court has to act
cautiously before proceeding to quash a prosecution in respect of an
offence which hits and affects the society at large. It should be a case
where no other view is possible nor any investigation or inquiry is
further required. There cannot be a general proposition of law, so as to
fit in as a straitjacket formula for the exercise of such power. Each
case will have to be judged on its own merit and the facts warranting
exercise of such power. More so, it was not a case of civil nature
where there could be a possibility of compromise or involving an
offence which may be compoundable under
Section 320
CrPC, where
the Court could apply the ratio of Madhavrao Jiwajirao Scindia [(1988)
1 SCC 692 : 1988 SCC (Cri) 234 : AIR 1988 SC 709] .”

7.8 Thereafter in catena of decisions, this Court has reiterated the

parameters for exercise of inherent powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C.

and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India in the matter of

quashing the FIR/complaint.

8. While considering the issue involved, the rights and duties of the

police to investigate into cognizable offences are also required to be

considered.

8.1 The powers of investigation into cognizable offences are contained

in Chapter XIV of the
Code of Criminal Procedure
.
Section 154
deals
with information in cognizable offence and
Section 156
with investigation

into such offence and under these sections the police have the statutory

right to investigate into the circumstances of any alleged cognizable

offence.

8.2 The Privy Council in the case of
Khwaja Nazir Ahmad
(supra)

observed that in India, there is a statutory right on the part of the police

to investigate the circumstances of an alleged cognizable crime without

requiring any authority from the judicial authorities. It is further observed

that it would be an unfortunate result if it should be held possible to

interfere with those statutory rights by an exercise of the inherent

jurisdiction of the court. It is further observed that the functions of the

judiciary and the police are complementary, not overlapping, and the

combination of individual liberty with a due observance of law and order

is only to be obtained by leaving each to exercise its own function.

9. When the High Court would be justified in interfering with the

investigation by the police, while exercising the inherent powers under

Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or
Article 226
of the Constitution of India, few

decisions of this Court are required to be noticed and referred to, which

are as under.

9.1 In the case of
State of Bihar v. J.A.C. Saldanha
, (1980) 1 SCC

554, this Court, after referring to the precedents including the decision of
the Privy Council in the case of
Khawaja Nazir Ahmad
(supra), has

observed in paragraphs 25 and 26 as under:

“25. There is a clear-cut and well demarcated sphere of activity
in the field of crime detection and crime punishment. Investigation of an
offence is the field exclusively reserved for the executive through the
police department the superintendence over which vests in the State
Government. The executive which is charged with a duty to keep
vigilance over law and order situation is obliged to prevent crime and if
an offence is alleged to have been committed it is its bounded duty to
investigate into the offence and bring the offender to book. Once it
investigates and finds an offence having been committed it is its duty to
collect evidence for the purpose of proving the offence. Once that is
completed and the investigating officer submits report to the court
requesting the court to take cognizance of the offence under
Section
of the Code its duty comes to an end. On a cognizance of the
offence being taken by the court the police function of investigation
comes to an end subject to the provision contained in
Section 173(8)
,
there commences the adjudicatory function of the judiciary to
determine whether an offence has been committed and if so, whether
by the person or persons charged with the crime by the police in its
report to the court, and to award adequate punishment according to
law for the offence proved to the satisfaction of the court. There is thus
a well defined and well demarcated function in the field of crime
detection and its subsequent adjudication between the police and the
Magistrate. This had been recognised way back in
King
Emperor v. Khwaja Nazir Ahmad
[AIR 1944 PC 18 : 1944 LR 71 IA 203,
213] where the Privy Council observed as under:

“In India, as has been shown, there is a statutory right on
the part of the police to investigate the circumstances of an
alleged cognizable crime without requiring any authority from the
judicial authorities and it would, as Their Lordships think, be an
unfortunate result if it should be held possible to interfere with
those statutory rights by an exercise of the inherent jurisdiction
of the court. The functions of the judiciary and the police are
complementary, not overlapping, and the combination of
individual liberty with a due observance of law and order is only
to be obtained by leaving each to exercise its own function,
always, of course, subject to the right of the court to intervene in
an appropriate case when moved under
Section 491
of the
Criminal Procedure Code to give directions in the nature of
habeas corpus. In such a case as the present, however, the
Court's functions begin when a charge is preferred before it, and
not until then.”
26. This view of the Judicial Committee clearly demarcates the
functions of the executive and the judiciary in the field of detection of
crime and its subsequent trial and it would appear that the power of the
police to investigate into a cognizable offence is ordinarily not to be
interfered with by the judiciary.”

In
the said decision
, this Court also took note of the following

observations made by this Court in the case of
S.M. Sharma v. Bipen

Kumar Tiwari
, (1970) 1 SCC 653:

“It appears to us that, though the
Code of Criminal
Procedure
gives to the police unfettered power to investigate
all cases where they suspect that a cognizable offence has
been committed, in appropriate cases an aggrieved person
can always seek a remedy by invoking the power of the High
Court under
Article 226
of the Constitution under which, if the
High Court could be convinced that the power of
investigation has been exercised by a police officer mala
fide, the High Court can always issue a writ of mandamus
restraining the police officer from misusing his legal powers.”

9.2 In the case of
Union of India v. Prakash P. Hinduja
, (2003) 6 SCC

195, in paragraph 20, it is observed and held as under:

“20. Thus the legal position is absolutely clear and also settled
by judicial authorities that the court would not interfere with the
investigation or during the course of investigation which would mean
from the time of the lodging of the first information report till the
submission of the report by the officer in charge of the police station in
court under
Section 173(2)
CrPC, this field being exclusively reserved
for the investigating agency.”

9.3 In the case of
Bhajan Lal
(supra), it is observed and held by this

Court that save in exceptional cases where non interference would result

in miscarriage of justice, the court and the judicial process should not

interfere at the stage of the investigation of offence.
It is further
observed that in a routine case where information of an offence or

offences has been lodged, investigation commenced, search and

seizure followed and suspects arrested, the resort to the unusual

procedure of oral applications and oral appeals and interim stay order

thereon would have the effect of interfering and staying the investigation

of offences by the investigating officer performing statutory duty under

Cr.P.C.

9.4 In the case of
Ujjal Kumar Burdhan
(supra), it is observed and held

by this Court that unless case of gross abuse of power is made out

against those in charge of investigation, the High Court should be loath

to interfere at early/premature stage of investigation.

9.5 In the case of
Satvinder Kaur v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi
),

(1999) 8 SCC 728, in paragraphs 14 to 16, it is observed and held as

under:

“14. Further, the legal position is well settled that if an offence is
disclosed the court will not normally interfere with an investigation into
the case and will permit investigation into the offence alleged to be
completed. If the FIR, prima facie, discloses the commission of an
offence, the court does not normally stop the investigation, for, to do so
would be to trench upon the lawful power of the police to investigate
into cognizable offences. [
State of W.B. v. Swapan Kumar Guha
,
(1982) 1 SCC 561 : 1982 SCC (Cri) 283] It is also settled by a long
course of decisions of this Court that for the purpose of exercising its
power under
Section 482
CrPC to quash an FIR or a complaint, the
High Court would have to proceed entirely on the basis of the
allegations made in the complaint or the documents accompanying the
same per se; it has no jurisdiction to examine the correctness or
otherwise of the allegations.

[
Pratibha Rani v. Suraj Kumar
, (1985) 2
SCC 370, 395 : 1985 SCC (Cri) 180]

15. Hence, in the present case, the High Court committed a
grave error in accepting the contention of the respondent that the
investigating officer had no jurisdiction to investigate the matters on the
alleged ground that no part of the offence was committed within the
territorial jurisdiction of the police station at Delhi. The appreciation of
the evidence is the function of the courts when seized of the matter. At
the stage of investigation, the material collected by an investigating
officer cannot be judicially scrutinized for arriving at a conclusion that
the police station officer of a particular police station would not have
territorial jurisdiction. In any case, it has to be stated that in view of

Section 178(c)
of the Criminal Procedure Code, when it is uncertain in
which of the several local areas an offence was committed, or where it
consists of several acts done in different local areas, the said offence
can be enquired into or tried by a court having jurisdiction over any of
such local areas. Therefore, to say at the stage of investigation that the
SHO, Police Station Paschim Vihar, New Delhi was not having
territorial jurisdiction, is on the face of it, illegal and erroneous. That
apart,
Section 156(2)
contains an embargo that no proceeding of a
police officer shall be challenged on the ground that he has no
territorial power to investigate. The High Court has completely
overlooked the said embargo when it entertained the petition of
Respondent 2 on the ground of want of territorial jurisdiction.

16. Lastly, it is required to be reiterated that while exercising the
jurisdiction under
Section 482
of the Criminal Procedure Code of
quashing an investigation, the court should bear in mind what has been
observed in the
State of Kerala v. O.C. Kuttan
[(1999) 2 SCC 651 :

1999 SCC (Cri) 304 : JT (1999) 1 SC 486] to the following effect: (SCC
pp. 654-55, para 6)
“Having said so, the Court gave a note of caution to the
effect that the power of quashing the criminal proceedings
should be exercised very sparingly with circumspection and that
too in the rarest of rare cases; that the court will not be justified
in embarking upon an enquiry as to the reliability or genuineness
or otherwise of the allegations made in the FIR or the complaint
and that the extraordinary or inherent powers do not confer an
arbitrary jurisdiction on the court to act according to its whim or
caprice. It is too well settled that the first information report is
only an initiation to move the machinery and to investigate into a
cognizable offence and, therefore, while exercising the power
and deciding whether the investigation itself should be quashed,
utmost care should be taken by the court and at that stage, it is
not possible for the court to sift the materials or to weigh the
materials and then come to the conclusion one way or the other.

In the case of
State of U.P. v. O.P. Sharma
[(1996) 7 SCC 705 :
1996 SCC (Cri) 497 : JT (1996) 2 SC 488] a three-Judge Bench
of this Court indicated that the High Court should be loath to
interfere at the threshold to thwart the prosecution exercising its
inherent power under
Section 482
or under
Articles 226
and
of the Constitution of India, as the case may be, and allow the
law to take its own course.

The same view was reiterated by yet
another three-Judge Bench of this Court in the case of
Rashmi
Kumar v. Mahesh Kumar Bhada
[(1997) 2 SCC 397 : 1997 SCC
(Cri) 415 : JT (1996) 11 SC 175] where this Court sounded a
word of caution and stated that such power should be sparingly
and cautiously exercised only when the court is of the opinion
that otherwise there will be gross miscarriage of justice.

The
Court had also observed that social stability and order is
required to be regulated by proceeding against the offender as it
is an offence against society as a whole.”

9.6 In the case of
Supdt. of Police, CBI v. Tapan Kumar Singh
, (2003)

6 SCC 175 and in the case of
State of U.P. v. Naresh
, (2011) 4 SCC

324, it is observed and held by this Court that FIR is not an

encyclopaedia, which must disclose all facts and details relating to the

offence reported.

In paragraph 20 in the case of
Tapan Kumar Singh

(supra), it is observed and held as under:

20. It is well settled that a first information report is not an
encyclopaedia, which must disclose all facts and details relating to the
offence reported. An informant may lodge a report about the
commission of an offence though he may not know the name of the
victim or his assailant. He may not even know how the occurrence took
place. A first informant need not necessarily be an eyewitness so as to
be able to disclose in great detail all aspects of the offence committed.

What is of significance is that the information given must disclose the
commission of a cognizable offence and the information so lodged
must provide a basis for the police officer to suspect the commission of
a cognizable offence. At this stage it is enough if the police officer on
the basis of the information given suspects the commission of a
cognizable offence, and not that he must be convinced or satisfied that
a cognizable offence has been committed. If he has reasons to
suspect, on the basis of information received, that a cognizable offence
may have been committed, he is bound to record the information and
conduct an investigation. At this stage it is also not necessary for him to
satisfy himself about the truthfulness of the information. It is only after a
complete investigation that he may be able to report on the truthfulness
or otherwise of the information. Similarly, even if the information does
not furnish all the details he must find out those details in the course of
investigation and collect all the necessary evidence. The information
given disclosing the commission of a cognizable offence only sets in
motion the investigative machinery, with a view to collect all necessary
evidence, and thereafter to take action in accordance with law.
The true
test is whether the information furnished provides a reason to suspect
the commission of an offence, which the police officer concerned is
empowered under
Section 156
of the Code to investigate. If it does, he
has no option but to record the information and proceed to investigate
the case either himself or depute any other competent officer to
conduct the investigation. The question as to whether the report is true,
whether it discloses full details regarding the manner of occurrence,
whether the accused is named, and whether there is sufficient
evidence to support the allegations are all matters which are alien to
the consideration of the question whether the report discloses the
commission of a cognizable offence. Even if the information does not
give full details regarding these matters, the investigating officer is not
absolved of his duty to investigate the case and discover the true facts,
if he can.”

9.7 In the case of
Prakash P. Hinduja
(supra), it is observed and held

by this Court that the court would not interfere with the investigation or

during the course of investigation which would mean from the time of

lodging of the first information report till the submission of the report by

the officer in charge of the police station in court under
Section 173(2)

Cr.P.C., this field being exclusively reserved for the investigating agency.

9.8 In the case of
P. Chidambaram v. Directorate of Enforcement
,

(2019) 9 SCC 24, this Court while considering the powers of the
investigating agency to investigate the cognizable offence, has observed

in paragraphs 61, 64 to 67 as under:

“61. The investigation of a cognizable offence and the various
stages thereon including the interrogation of the accused is exclusively
reserved for the investigating agency whose powers are unfettered so
long as the investigating officer exercises his investigating powers well
within the provisions of the law and the legal bounds. In exercise of its
inherent power under
Section 482
CrPC, the Court can interfere and
issue appropriate direction only when the Court is convinced that the
power of the investigating officer is exercised mala fide or where there
is abuse of power and non-compliance of the provisions of the
Code of
Criminal Procedure
. However, this power of invoking inherent
jurisdiction to issue direction and interfering with the investigation is
exercised only in rare cases where there is abuse of process or non-
compliance of the provisions of the
Criminal Procedure Code
.

xxx xxx xxx

64. Investigation into crimes is the prerogative of the police and
excepting in rare cases, the judiciary should keep out all the areas of
investigation.
In
State of Bihar v. P.P. Sharma [State of Bihar
v. P.P.
Sharma, 1992 Supp (1) SCC 222 : 1992 SCC (Cri) 192] , it was held
that : (SCC p. 258, para 47)
“47. … The investigating officer is an arm of the law and
plays a pivotal role in the dispensation of criminal justice and
maintenance of law and order. … Enough power is therefore
given to the police officer in the area of investigating process
and granting them the court latitude to exercise its discretionary
power to make a successful investigation….”

65.
In
Dukhishyam Benupani v. Arun Kumar
Bajoria [Dukhishyam Benupani
v. Arun Kumar Bajoria, (1998) 1 SCC
52 : 1998 SCC (Cri) 261] , this Court held that : (SCC p. 55, para 7)
“7. … It is not the function of the court to monitor
investigation processes so long as such investigation does not
transgress any provision of law. It must be left to the
investigating agency to decide the venue, the timings and the
questions and the manner of putting such questions to persons
involved in such offences. A blanket order fully insulating a
person from arrest would make his interrogation a mere
ritual….”

66. As held by the Supreme Court in a catena of judgments that
there is a well-defined and demarcated function in the field of
investigation and its subsequent adjudication. It is not the function of
the court to monitor the investigation process so long as the
investigation does not violate any provision of law. It must be left to the
discretion of the investigating agency to decide the course of
investigation. If the court is to interfere in each and every stage of the
investigation and the interrogation of the accused, it would affect the
normal course of investigation. It must be left to the investigating
agency to proceed in its own manner in interrogation of the accused,
nature of questions put to him and the manner of interrogation of the
accused.

67. It is one thing to say that if the power of investigation has
been exercised by an investigating officer mala fide or non-compliance
of the provisions of the
Criminal Procedure Code
in the conduct of the
investigation, it is open to the court to quash the proceedings where
there is a clear case of abuse of power. It is a different matter that the
High Court in exercise of its inherent power under
Section 482
CrPC,
can always issue appropriate direction at the instance of an aggrieved
person if the High Court is convinced that the power of investigation
has been exercised by the investigating officer mala fide and not in
accordance with the provisions of the
Criminal Procedure Code
.

However, as pointed out earlier that power is to be exercised in rare
cases where there is a clear abuse of power and non-compliance of
the provisions falling under Chapter XII of the
Code of Criminal
Procedure
requiring the interference of the High Court.
In the initial
stages of investigation where the Court is considering the question of
grant of regular bail or pre-arrest bail, it is not for the Court to enter into
the demarcated function of the investigation and collection of
evidence/materials for establishing the offence and interrogation of the
accused and the witnesses.”

9.9 In the recent decision of this Court in the case of
Skoda Auto

Volkswagen India Private Limited v. State of Uttar Pradesh
, 2020 SCC

OnLine SC 958, it is observed in paragraph 41 as under:

“41. It is needless to point out that ever since the decision of the Privy
Council in
King Emperor v. Khwaja Nazir Ahmed
AIR 1945 PC 18, the
law is well settled that Courts would not thwart any investigation.

It is
only in cases where no cognizable offence or offence of any kind is
disclosed in the first information report that the Court will not permit an
investigation to go on. As cautioned by this Court in
State of
Haryana v. Bhajan Lal
1992 Supp (1) SCC 335, the power of quashing
should be exercised very sparingly and with circumspection and that
too in the rarest of rare cases. While examining a complaint, the
quashing of which is sought, the Court cannot embark upon an enquiry
as to the reliability or genuineness or otherwise of the allegations
made in the FIR or in the complaint.

In
S.M. Datta v. State of Gujarat

(2001) 7 SCC 659 this Court again cautioned that criminal
proceedings ought not to be scuttled at the initial stage. Quashing of a
complaint should rather be an exception and a rarity than an ordinary
rule.

In
S.M. Datta
(supra), this Court held that if a perusal of the first
information report leads to disclosure of an offence even broadly, law
courts are barred from usurping the jurisdiction of the police, since the
two organs of the State operate in two specific spheres of activities
and one ought not to tread over the other sphere. “

10. From the aforesaid decisions of this Court, right from the decision

of the Privy Council in the case of
Khawaja Nazir Ahmad
(supra), the

following principles of law emerge:

i) Police has the statutory right and duty under the relevant

provisions of the
Code of Criminal Procedure
contained in Chapter XIV

of the Code to investigate into cognizable offences;
ii) Courts would not thwart any investigation into the cognizable

offences;

iii) However, in cases where no cognizable offence or offence of any

kind is disclosed in the first information report the Court will not permit an

investigation to go on;

iv) The power of quashing should be exercised sparingly with

circumspection, in the ‘rarest of rare cases’. (The rarest of rare cases

standard in its application for quashing under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. is not

to be confused with the norm which has been formulated in the context

of the death penalty, as explained previously by this Court);

v) While examining an FIR/complaint, quashing of which is sought,

the court cannot embark upon an enquiry as to the reliability or

genuineness or otherwise of the allegations made in the FIR/complaint;

vi) Criminal proceedings ought not to be scuttled at the initial stage;

vii) Quashing of a complaint/FIR should be an exception and a rarity

than an ordinary rule;

viii) Ordinarily, the courts are barred from usurping the jurisdiction of

the police, since the two organs of the State operate in two specific

spheres of activities. The inherent power of the court is, however,
recognised to secure the ends of justice or prevent the above of the

process by Section 482 Cr.P.C.

ix) The functions of the judiciary and the police are complementary,

not overlapping;

x) Save in exceptional cases where non-interference would result in

miscarriage of justice, the Court and the judicial process should not

interfere at the stage of investigation of offences;

xi) Extraordinary and inherent powers of the Court do not confer an

arbitrary jurisdiction on the Court to act according to its whims or caprice;

xii) The first information report is not an encyclopaedia which must

disclose all facts and details relating to the offence reported. Therefore,

when the investigation by the police is in progress, the court should not

go into the merits of the allegations in the FIR. Police must be permitted

to complete the investigation. It would be premature to pronounce the

conclusion based on hazy facts that the complaint/FIR does not deserve

to be investigated or that it amounts to abuse of process of law. During

or after investigation, if the investigating officer finds that there is no

substance in the application made by the complainant, the investigating

officer may file an appropriate report/summary before the learned

Magistrate which may be considered by the learned Magistrate in

accordance with the known procedure;
xiii) The power under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. is very wide, but conferment

of wide power requires the court to be cautious. It casts an onerous and

more diligent duty on the court;

xiv) However, at the same time, the court, if it thinks fit, regard being

had to the parameters of quashing and the self-restraint imposed by law,

more particularly the parameters laid down by this Court in the cases of

R.P. Kapur (supra) and Bhajan Lal (supra), has the jurisdiction to quash

the FIR/complaint; and

xv) When a prayer for quashing the FIR is made by the alleged

accused, the court when it exercises the power under
Section 482

Cr.P.C., only has to consider whether or not the allegations in the FIR

disclose the commission of a cognizable offence and is not required to

consider on merits whether the allegations make out a cognizable

offence or not and the court has to permit the investigating agency/police

to investigate the allegations in the FIR.

11. Whether the High Court would be justified in granting stay of

further investigation pending the proceedings under
Section 482
Cr.P.C.

before it and in what circumstances the High Court would be justified is a

further core question to be considered.

Before passing an interim order of staying further investigation

pending the quashing petition under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or
Article
of the Constitution of India, the High Court has to apply the very

parameters which are required to be considered while quashing the

proceedings in exercise of powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. in exercise

of its inherent jurisdiction, referred to hereinabove.

12. In a given case, there may be allegations of abuse of process of

law by converting a civil dispute into a criminal dispute, only with a view

to pressurise the accused. Similarly, in a given case the complaint itself

on the face of it can be said to be barred by law. The allegations in the

FIR/complaint may not at all disclose the commission of a cognizable

offence. In such cases and in exceptional cases with circumspection,

the High Court may stay the further investigation. However, at the same

time, there may be genuine complaints/FIRs and the police/investigating

agency has a statutory obligation/right/duty to enquire into the

cognizable offences. Therefore, a balance has to be struck between the

rights of the genuine complainants and the FIRs disclosing commission

of a cognizable offence and the statutory obligation/duty of the

investigating agency to investigate into the cognizable offences on the

one hand and those innocent persons against whom the criminal

proceedings are initiated which may be in a given case abuse of process

of law and the process. However, if the facts are hazy and the

investigation has just begun, the High Court would be circumspect in
exercising such powers and the High Court must permit the investigating

agency to proceed further with the investigation in exercise of its

statutory duty under the provisions of the Code. Even in such a case the

High Court has to give/assign brief reasons why at this stage the further

investigation is required to be stayed. The High Court must appreciate

that speedy investigation is the requirement in the criminal administration

of justice.

13. While deprecating the grant of stay of investigation or trial by the

High Courts, this Court in the case of
Imtiyaz Ahmad
(supra), in

paragraphs 25 to 27, held as under:

“25. Unduly long delay has the effect of bringing about blatant
violation of the rule of law and adverse impact on the common man's
access to justice. A person's access to justice is a guaranteed
fundamental right under the Constitution and particularly
Article 21.

Denial of this right undermines public confidence in the justice delivery
system and incentivises people to look for short cuts and other fora
where they feel that justice will be done quicker. In the long run, this
also weakens the justice delivery system and poses a threat to the rule
of law.

26. It may not be out of place to highlight that access to justice
must not be understood in a purely quantitative dimension. Access to
justice in an egalitarian democracy must be understood to mean
qualitative access to justice as well. Access to justice is, therefore,
much more than improving an individual's access to courts, or
guaranteeing representation. It must be defined in terms of ensuring
that legal and judicial outcomes are just and equitable [see United
Nations Development Programme, Access to Justice — Practice Note
(2004)].

27. The present case discloses the need to reiterate that
“access to justice” is vital for the rule of law, which by implication
includes the right of access to an independent judiciary. It is submitted
that the stay of investigation or trial for significant periods of time runs
counter to the principle of rule of law, wherein the rights and aspirations
of citizens are intertwined with expeditious conclusion of matters. It is
further submitted that delay in conclusion of criminal matters signifies a
restriction on the right of access to justice itself, thus amounting to a
violation of the citizens' rights under the Constitution, in particular under
Article 21.”

14. A similar view has been expressed by this Court again in the case

of
Asian Resurfacing of Road Agency Private Limited
(supra). By

deprecating the interlocutory orders/stay of criminal proceedings by the

High Courts, it is observed by this Court that the stay should not be

considered as an incentive to cause delay in the proceedings. It is

further observed that order granting stay or extending it must be a

speaking order and stay not to operate long. It is further observed in
the

said decision
that delay in a criminal trial has deleterious effect on the

administration of justice in which the society has a vital interest; delay in

trials affects the faith in Rule of Law and efficacy of the legal system; it

affects social welfare and development; mere prima facie case is not

enough; party seeking stay must be put to terms and stay should not be

incentive to delay; the order granting stay must show application of mind;

the power to grant stay is coupled with accountability. It is further

observed that wherever stay is granted, a speaking order must be

passed showing that the case was of an exceptional nature.
15. As observed hereinabove, there may be some cases where the

initiation of criminal proceedings may be an abuse of process of law. In

such cases, and only in exceptional cases and where it is found that non

interference would result into miscarriage of justice, the High Court, in

exercise of its inherent powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or
Article
of the Constitution of India, may quash the FIR/complaint/criminal

proceedings and even may stay the further investigation. However, the

High Court should be slow in interfering the criminal proceedings at the

initial stage, i.e., quashing petition filed immediately after lodging the

FIR/complaint and no sufficient time is given to the police to investigate

into the allegations of the FIR/complaint, which is the statutory right/duty

of the police under the provisions of the
Code of Criminal Procedure
.

There is no denial of the fact that power under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. is

very wide, but as observed by this Court in catena of decisions, referred

to hereinabove, conferment of wide power requires the court to be more

cautious and it casts an onerous and more diligent duty on the court.

Therefore, in exceptional cases, when the High Court deems it fit, regard

being had to the parameters of quashing and the self-restraint imposed

by law, may pass appropriate interim orders, as thought apposite in law,

however, the High Court has to give brief reasons which will reflect the

application of mind by the court to the relevant facts.
16. We have come across many orders passed by the High Courts

passing interim orders of stay of arrest and/or “no coercive steps to be

taken against the accused” in the quashing proceedings under
Section
Cr.P.C. and/or
Article 226
of the Constitution of India with assigning

any reasons. We have also come across number of orders passed by

the High Courts, while dismissing the quashing petitions, of not to arrest

the accused during the investigation or till the chargesheet/final report

under
Section 173
Cr.P.C is filed. As observed hereinabove, it is the

statutory right and even the duty of the police to investigate into the

cognizable offence and collect the evidence during the course of

investigation. There may be requirement of a custodial investigation for

which the accused is required to be in police custody (popularly known

as remand). Therefore, passing such type of blanket interim orders

without assigning reasons, of not to arrest and/or “no coercive steps”

would hamper the investigation and may affect the statutory right/duty of

the police to investigate the cognizable offence conferred under the

provisions of the
Cr.P.C
. Therefore, such a blanket order is not justified

at all. The order of the High Court must disclose reasons why it has

passed an ad-interim direction during the pendency of the proceedings

under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. Such reasons, however brief must disclose

an application of mind.
The aforesaid is required to be considered from another angle

also. Granting of such blanket order would not only adversely affect the

investigation but would have far reaching implications for maintaining the

Rule of Law. Where the investigation is stayed for a long time, even if

the stay is ultimately vacated, the subsequent investigation may not be

very fruitful for the simple reason that the evidence may no longer be

available. Therefore, in case, the accused named in the FIR/complaint

apprehends his arrest, he has a remedy to apply for anticipatory bail

under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. and on the conditions of grant of anticipatory

bail under
Section 438
Cr.P.C being satisfied, he may be released on

anticipatory bail by the competent court. Therefore, it cannot be said

that the accused is remediless. It cannot be disputed that the

anticipatory bail under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. can be granted on the

conditions prescribed under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. are satisfied. At the

same time, it is to be noted that arrest is not a must whenever an FIR of

a cognizable offence is lodged. Still in case a person is apprehending

his arrest in connection with an FIR disclosing cognizable offence, as

observed hereinabove, he has a remedy to apply for anticipatory bail

under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. As observed by this Court in the case of

Hema Mishra v. State of Uttar Pradesh
, (2014) 4 SCC 453, though the

High Courts have very wide powers under
Article 226
, the powers under

Article 226
of the Constitution of India are to be exercised to prevent
miscarriage of justice and to prevent abuse of process of law by the

authorities indiscriminately making pre-arrest of the accused persons. It

is further observed that in entertaining such a petition under
Article 226
,

the High Court is supposed to balance the two interests. On the one

hand, the Court is to ensure that such a power under
Article 226
is not to

be exercised liberally so as to convert it into
Section 438
Cr.P.C.

proceedings. It is further observed that on the other hand whenever the

High Court finds that in a given case if the protection against pre-arrest

is not given, it would amount to gross miscarriage of justice and no case,

at all, is made for arrest pending trial, the High Court would be free to

grant the relief in the nature of anticipatory bail in exercise of its powers

under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India, keeping in mind that this

power has to be exercised sparingly in those cases where it is absolutely

warranted and justified. However, such a blanket interim order of not to

arrest or “no coercive steps” cannot be passed mechanically and in a

routine manner.

17. So far as the order of not to arrest and/or “no coercive steps” till

the final report/chargesheet is filed and/or during the course of

investigation or not to arrest till the investigation is completed, passed

while dismissing the quashing petitions under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or

under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India and having opined that no
case is made out to quash the FIR/complaint is concerned, the same is

wholly impermissible.

18. This Court in the case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra), as such,

deprecated such practice/orders passed by the High Courts, directing

police not to arrest, even while declining to interfere with the quashing

petition in exercise of powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. In the aforesaid

case before this Court, the High Court dismissed the petition filed under

Section 482
Cr.P.C. for quashing the FIR. However, while dismissing the

quashing petition, the High Court directed the police not to arrest the

petitioners during the pendency of the investigation. While setting aside

such order, it is observed by this Court that such direction amounts to an

order under
Section 438
Cr.P.C., albeit without satisfaction of the

conditions of the said provision and the same is legally unacceptable. In

the aforesaid decision, it is specifically observed and held by this Court

that “it is absolutely inconceivable and unthinkable to pass an order

directing the police not to arrest till the investigation is completed while

declining to interfere or expressing opinion that it is not appropriate to

stay the investigation”. It is further observed that this kind of order is

really inappropriate and unseemly and it has no sanction in law. It is

further observed that the courts should oust and obstruct unscrupulous

litigants from invoking the inherent jurisdiction of the Court on the drop of
a hat to file an application for quashing of launching an FIR or

investigation and then seek relief by an interim order. It is further

observed that it is the obligation of the court to keep such unprincipled

and unethical litigants at bay.

In the aforesaid decision, this Court has further deprecated the

orders passed by the High Courts, while dismissing the applications

under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. to the effect that if the petitioner-accused

surrenders before the trial Magistrate, he shall be admitted to bail on

such terms and conditions as deemed fit and appropriate to be imposed

by the Magistrate concerned. It is observed that such orders are de

hors the powers conferred under
Section 438
Cr.P.C. That thereafter,

this Court in paragraph 25 has observed as under:

“25. Having reminded the same, presently we can only say that the
types of orders like the present one, are totally unsustainable, for it is
contrary to the aforesaid settled principles and judicial precedents. It is
intellectual truancy to avoid the precedents and issue directions which
are not in consonance with law. It is the duty of a Judge to sustain the
judicial balance and not to think of an order which can cause trauma to
the process of adjudication. It should be borne in mid that the culture of
adjudication is stabilised when intellectual discipline is maintained and
further when such discipline constantly keeps guard on the mind.”

19. We are at pains to note that despite the law
laid down by
this Court

in the case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra), deprecating such orders

passed by the High Courts of not to arrest during the pendency of the

investigation, even when the quashing petitions under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. or
Article 226
of the Constitution of India are dismissed, even

thereafter also, many High Courts are passing such orders. The law

declared/laid down by this Court is binding on all the High Courts and not

following the law
laid down by
this Court would have a very serious

implications in the administration of justice.

20.
In the recent decision of this Court in the case of
Ravuri Krishna

Murthy
(supra), this bench set aside the similar order passed by the

Andhra Pradesh High Court of granting a blanket order of protection

from arrest, even after coming to the conclusion that no case for

quashing was established. The High Court while disposing of the

quashing petition and while refusing to quash the criminal proceedings in

exercise of powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. directed to complete the

investigation into the crime without arresting the second petitioner – A2

and file a final report, if any, in accordance with law. The High Court also

further passed an order that the second petitioner – A2 to appear before

the investigating agency as and when required and cooperate with the

investigating agency.

After considering the decision of this Court in the

case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra), this Court set aside the order

passed by the High Court restraining the investigating officer from

arresting the second accused.
Thus, it has been found that despite absolute proposition of law

laid down by
this Court in the case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra) that

such a blanket order of not to arrest till the investigation is completed

and the final report is filed, passed while declining to quash the criminal

proceedings in exercise of powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C, as

observed hereinabove, the High Courts have continued to pass such

orders.

Therefore, we again reiterate the law
laid down by
this Court in

the case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra) and we direct all the High

Courts to scrupulously follow the law
laid down by
this Court in the case

of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra) and the law
laid down by
this Court in

the present case, which otherwise the High Courts are bound to follow.

We caution the High Courts again against passing such orders of not to

arrest or “no coercive steps to be taken” till the investigation is

completed and the final report is filed, while not entertaining quashing

petitions under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or
Article 226
of the Constitution

of India.

21. Now so far as the legality of the impugned interim order passed by

the High Court directing the investigating agency/police “not to adopt any

coercive steps” against the accused is concerned, for the reasons stated

hereinbelow, the same is unsustainable:
i) that such a blanket interim order passed by the High Court affects

the powers of the investigating agency to investigate into the cognizable

offences, which otherwise is a statutory right/duty of the police under the

relevant provisions of the
Cr.P.C
.;

ii) that the interim order is a cryptic order;

iii) that no reasons whatsoever have been assigned by the High

Court, while passing such a blanket order of “no coercive steps to be

adopted” by the police;

iv) that it is not clear what the High Court meant by passing the order

of “not to adopt any coercive steps”, as it is clear from the impugned

interim order that it was brought to the notice of the High Court that so

far as the accused are concerned, they are already protected by the

interim protection granted by the learned Sessions Court, and therefore

there was no further reason and/or justification for the High Court to pass

such an interim order of “no coercive steps to be adopted”. If the High

Court meant by passing such an interim order of “no coercive steps”

directing the investigating agency/police not to further investigate
,
in that

case
, such a blanket order without assigning any reasons whatsoever

and without even permitting the investigating agency to further

investigate into the allegations of the cognizable offence is otherwise

unsustainable. It has affected the right of the investigating agency to
investigate into the cognizable offences. While passing such a blanket

order, the High Court has not indicated any reasons.

21.1 As observed and held by this Court in the case of
Special Director

v. Mohd. Ghulam Ghouse
, (2004) 3 SCC 440 that though, while passing

interim orders, it is not necessary to elaborately deal with the merits, it is

certainly desirable and proper for the High Court to indicate the reasons

which have weighed with it in granting such an extraordinary relief in the

form of an interim protection.

21.2 In the case of Nitco Tiles Ltd. v. Gujarat Ceramic Floor Tiles Mfg.

Association, (2005) 12 SCC 454, it is observed and held by this Court

that when an interim order should, particularly when that order may be

impugned before the higher authority/Forum, contain reasons, however

brief, in support of the grant or refusal thereof. It is further observed that

in the absence of such reasons, it is virtually impossible for such higher

authority/Forum to determine what persuaded the grant or refusal of

relief.

21.3 In the case of
Hindustan Times Limited v. Union of India
, (1998) 2

SCC 242, while emphasising on giving reasons by the High Court, it is

observed that necessity to provide reasons, howsoever brief, in support

of the High Court’s conclusions is too obvious to be reiterated.

Obligation to give reasons introduces clarity and excludes or at any rate
minimises the changes of arbitrariness and the higher forum can test the

correctness of those reasons.

21.4 While considering the importance of the reasons to be given during

the decision-making process, in the case of
Kranti Associates (P) Ltd. v.

Masood Ahmed
, (2010) 9 SCC 496, in paragraph 47, this Court has

summarised as under:

“47. Summarising the above discussion, this Court holds:

(a) In India the judicial trend has always been to record reasons, even
in administrative decisions, if such decisions affect anyone prejudicially.

(b) A quasi-judicial authority must record reasons in support of its
conclusions.

(c) Insistence on recording of reasons is meant to serve the wider
principle of justice that justice must not only be done it must also appear to
be done as well.

(d) Recording of reasons also operates as a valid restraint on any
possible arbitrary exercise of judicial and quasi-judicial or even
administrative power.

(e) Reasons reassure that discretion has been exercised by the
decision-maker on relevant grounds and by disregarding extraneous
considerations.

(f) Reasons have virtually become as indispensable a component of a
decision-making process as observing principles of natural justice by
judicial, quasi-judicial and even by administrative bodies.

(g) Reasons facilitate the process of judicial review by superior courts.

(h) The ongoing judicial trend in all countries committed to rule of law
and constitutional governance is in favour of reasoned decisions based on
relevant facts. This is virtually the lifeblood of judicial decision-making
justifying the principle that reason is the soul of justice.

(i) Judicial or even quasi-judicial opinions these days can be as
different as the judges and authorities who deliver them. All these
decisions serve one common purpose which is to demonstrate by reason
that the relevant factors have been objectively considered. This is
important for sustaining the litigants' faith in the justice delivery system.

(j) Insistence on reason is a requirement for both judicial accountability
and transparency.

(k) If a judge or a quasi-judicial authority is not candid enough about
his/her decision-making process then it is impossible to know whether the
person deciding is faithful to the doctrine of precedent or to principles of
incrementalism.

(l) Reasons in support of decisions must be cogent, clear and succinct.

A pretence of reasons or “rubber-stamp reasons” is not to be equated with
a valid decision-making process.

(m) It cannot be doubted that transparency is the sine qua non of
restraint on abuse of judicial powers. Transparency in decision-making not
only makes the judges and decision-makers less prone to errors but also
makes them subject to broader scrutiny. (See David Shapiro in Defence of
Judicial Candor [(1987) 100 Harvard Law Review 731-37] .)

(n) Since the requirement to record reasons emanates from the broad
doctrine of fairness in decision-making, the said requirement is now
virtually a component of human rights and was considered part of
Strasbourg Jurisprudence. See Ruiz Torija v. Spain [(1994) 19 EHRR 553]
EHRR, at 562 para 29 and Anya v. University of Oxford [2001 EWCA Civ
405 (CA)] , wherein the Court referred to
Article 6
of the European
Convention of Human Rights which requires,
“adequate and intelligent reasons must be given for judicial decisions”.

(o) In all common law jurisdictions judgments play a vital role in setting
up precedents for the future. Therefore, for development of law,
requirement of giving reasons for the decision is of the essence and is
virtually a part of “due process”.”

Therefore, even while passing such an interim order, in exceptional

cases with caution and circumspection, the High Court has to give brief

reasons why it is necessary to pass such an interim order, more

particularly when the High Court is exercising the extraordinary and

inherent powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of

the Constitution of India. Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of

the case, the High Court has committed a grave error of law and also of

facts in passing such an interim order of “no coercive steps to be

adopted” and the same deserves to be quashed and set aside.

Criminal Miscellaneous Petition No. 4961 of 2021
22. Criminal Miscellaneous Petition No. 4961 of 2021 has been

preferred by respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein – original accused under

Section 340
r/w
Section 195 (1)(B)
, Cr.P.C. for initiating action against

the appellant. It is alleged that the appellant has suppressed the vital

documents/agreements and the facts and by suppressing the material

documents/agreements and the facts has obtained an interim order

dated 12.10.2020 from this Court, staying order dated 28.09.2020

passed by the High Court.

Number of submissions and counter submissions have been made

by the learned counsel for the respective parties. However, considering

the fact that the quashing petition is yet to be considered by the High

Court on merits, we do not propose to entertain the present application

and enter into the merits of the allegations in the present application.

However, it will sufficed to say that this Court has passed an interim

order dated 12.10.2020, staying order dated 28.09.2020 passed by the

High Court, by giving brief reasons and even if the

documents/agreements which are alleged to have been suppressed

would have been there, it would not have any bearing on the interim

order passed by this Court. What is weighed while passing interim order

dated 12.10.2020 is very clear from the interim order dated 12.10.2020.
Therefore, we close the criminal miscellaneous petition No. 4961/2021

and consequently the same stands disposed of.

Conclusions:

23. In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, our final

conclusions on the principal/core issue, whether the High Court would be

justified in passing an interim order of stay of investigation and/or “no

coercive steps to be adopted”, during the pendency of the quashing

petition under
Section 482
Cr.P.C and/or under
Article 226
of the

Constitution of India and in what circumstances and whether the High

Court would be justified in passing the order of not to arrest the accused

or “no coercive steps to be adopted” during the investigation or till the

final report/chargesheet is filed under
Section 173
Cr.P.C., while

dismissing/disposing of/not entertaining/not quashing the criminal

proceedings/complaint/FIR in exercise of powers under
Section 482

Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India, our final

conclusions are as under:
i) Police has the statutory right and duty under the relevant

provisions of the
Code of Criminal Procedure
contained in Chapter

XIV of the Code to investigate into a cognizable offence;

ii) Courts would not thwart any investigation into the cognizable

offences;

iii) It is only in cases where no cognizable offence or offence of

any kind is disclosed in the first information report that the Court

will not permit an investigation to go on;

iv) The power of quashing should be exercised sparingly with

circumspection, as it has been observed, in the ‘rarest of rare

cases (not to be confused with the formation in the context of death

penalty).

v) While examining an FIR/complaint, quashing of which is

sought, the court cannot embark upon an enquiry as to the

reliability or genuineness or otherwise of the allegations made in

the FIR/complaint;

vi) Criminal proceedings ought not to be scuttled at the initial

stage;

vii) Quashing of a complaint/FIR should be an exception rather

than an ordinary rule;

viii) Ordinarily, the courts are barred from usurping the

jurisdiction of the police, since the two organs of the State operate
in two specific spheres of activities and one ought not to tread over

the other sphere;

ix) The functions of the judiciary and the police are

complementary, not overlapping;

x) Save in exceptional cases where non-interference would

result in miscarriage of justice, the Court and the judicial process

should not interfere at the stage of investigation of offences;

xi) Extraordinary and inherent powers of the Court do not confer

an arbitrary jurisdiction on the Court to act according to its whims

or caprice;

xii) The first information report is not an encyclopaedia which

must disclose all facts and details relating to the offence reported.

Therefore, when the investigation by the police is in progress, the

court should not go into the merits of the allegations in the FIR.

Police must be permitted to complete the investigation. It would be

premature to pronounce the conclusion based on hazy facts that

the complaint/FIR does not deserve to be investigated or that it

amounts to abuse of process of law. After investigation, if the

investigating officer finds that there is no substance in the

application made by the complainant, the investigating officer may

file an appropriate report/summary before the learned Magistrate
which may be considered by the learned Magistrate in accordance

with the known procedure;

xiii) The power under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. is very wide, but

conferment of wide power requires the court to be more cautious. It

casts an onerous and more diligent duty on the court;

xiv) However, at the same time, the court, if it thinks fit, regard

being had to the parameters of quashing and the self-restraint

imposed by law, more particularly the parameters laid down by this

Court in the cases of
R.P. Kapur
(supra) and
Bhajan Lal
(supra), has

the jurisdiction to quash the FIR/complaint;

xv) When a prayer for quashing the FIR is made by the alleged

accused and the court when it exercises the power under
Section
Cr.P.C., only has to consider whether the allegations in the FIR

disclose commission of a cognizable offence or not. The court is

not required to consider on merits whether or not the merits of the

allegations make out a cognizable offence and the court has to

permit the investigating agency/police to investigate the allegations

in the FIR;

xvi) The aforesaid parameters would be applicable and/or the

aforesaid aspects are required to be considered by the High Court

while passing an interim order in a quashing petition in exercise of

powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of the
Constitution of India. However, an interim order of stay of

investigation during the pendency of the quashing petition can be

passed with circumspection. Such an interim order should not

require to be passed routinely, casually and/or mechanically.

Normally, when the investigation is in progress and the facts are

hazy and the entire evidence/material is not before the High Court,

the High Court should restrain itself from passing the interim order

of not to arrest or “no coercive steps to be adopted” and the

accused should be relegated to apply for anticipatory bail under

Section 438
Cr.P.C. before the competent court. The High Court

shall not and as such is not justified in passing the order of not to

arrest and/or “no coercive steps” either during the investigation or

till the investigation is completed and/or till the final

report/chargesheet is filed under
Section 173
Cr.P.C., while

dismissing/disposing of the quashing petition under
Section 482

Cr.P.C. and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India.

xvii) Even in a case where the High Court is prima facie of the

opinion that an exceptional case is made out for grant of interim

stay of further investigation, after considering the broad

parameters while exercising the powers under
Section 482
Cr.P.C.

and/or under
Article 226
of the Constitution of India referred to

hereinabove, the High Court has to give brief reasons why such an
interim order is warranted and/or is required to be passed so that it

can demonstrate the application of mind by the Court and the

higher forum can consider what was weighed with the High Court

while passing such an interim order.

xviii) Whenever an interim order is passed by the High Court of “no

coercive steps to be adopted” within the aforesaid parameters, the

High Court must clarify what does it mean by “no coercive steps to

be adopted” as the term “no coercive steps to be adopted” can be

said to be too vague and/or broad which can be misunderstood

and/or misapplied.

24. In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, the present

appeal succeeds. The impugned interim order/direction contained in

clause (d) of the impugned interim order dated 28.09.2020 by which the

High Court has directed that “no coercive measures to be adopted”

against the petitioners (respondent nos. 2 to 4 herein) in respect of FIR

No. 367/2019 dated 19.09.2019, registered at Worli Police Station,

Mumbai, Maharashtra (subsequently transferred to Economic Offence

Wing, Unit IX, Mumbai, renumbered as C.R. No. 82/2019) is hereby

quashed and set aside. However, it is made clear that we have not

expressed anything on the merits of the case, more particularly the

allegations in the FIR and the High Court to consider the quashing
petition in accordance with law and on its own merits and considering

the afore-stated observations made by this Court in the present

judgment.

25. Having regard to the fact that despite the law
laid down by
this

Court in the case of
Habib Abdullah Jeelani
(supra) and other decisions,

referred to hereinabove, some High Courts have continued to pass such

interim orders, we direct the Registry to forward a copy of this judgment

to all the High Courts to be placed before Hon’ble the Chief Justice to

circulate to all the Judges of the High Courts.

……………………………………..J.
[Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud]

…………………………………….J.
[M.R. Shah]

New Delhi; …………………………………….J.
April 13, 2021. [Sanjiv Khanna]