Power to stop proceedings lets magistrates halt summons-cases and acquit or release accused on recorded reasons.

A first-class Magistrate, or another Judicial Magistrate with prior sanction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, may for reasons recorded stop proceedings in summons-cases instituted otherwise than upon complaint at any stage without pronouncing judgment; if stoppage follows recording of the principal witnesses' evidence, the magistrate may pronounce acquittal, otherwise the accused is released and such release has the effect of discharge.

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