Criminal Proceeding Cannot Be Quashed U/S 482 On The Ground That No Useful Purpose Will Be Served: SC

In the recent case, Satish Kumar Jatav vs the State of UP, the Hon’ble SC observed that it was cryptic and unreasoned to quash a criminal proceeding merely because no useful purpose would be served to prolong the proceedings when a clear case was made out for the offense.

The accused had to face trial for offenses punishable u/s 307, 504, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 3(10)(15) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Being aggrieved by the Magistrate's order, the original accused approached the High Court by filing a Criminal Misc. Application and prayed to quash the criminal proceeding u/s 482 CrPC. The High Court quashed the judgment in one unreasoned paragraph.Subsequently, the appellant filed an appeal before the Apex Court.

The Hon’ble SC held that the judgment passed by the High Court was unsustainable both in law as well as on facts. It condemned the manner in which the High Court had disposed of the application u/s 482 CrPC and quashed the proceeding when serious allegations for the offenses u/s 307,504,506 IPC and section 3(10)(15) of the Act were made.

The Court allowed the present petition and order passed by the Magistrate summoning the accused was restored.