Section 482 inherent power cannot quash prosecutions pending before a court outside the High Court's supervisory jurisdiction.

Section 482 inherent power is confined to orders necessary to give effect to the Code, prevent abuse of process, or secure the ends of justice, and it cannot be used to quash prosecutions pending before a court not subordinate to the High Court. Principles on territorial jurisdiction under Article 226 do not apply to supervisory or inherent criminal jurisdiction over subordinate courts. The question of quashing on merits was left to the court having proper jurisdiction, and the petitions were returned for presentation before the competent court.

---

---

Issues: Whether the High Court could exercise inherent powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to quash prosecutions pending before a Metropolitan Magistrate in another State and not subordinate to it.

Analysis: The inherent power preserved by Section 482 is confined to making orders necessary to give effect to orders under the Code, prevent abuse of process, or secure the ends of justice, but it does not extend to proceedings before a court that is not subordinate to the High Court. Decisions relating to territorial jurisdiction on the basis of cause of action under Article 226 are not applicable to the exercise of supervisory or inherent criminal jurisdiction over subordinate courts. The question whether the prosecutions should be quashed on merits was held to be one for the court having jurisdiction.

Conclusion: The High Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the petitions under Section 482, and the petitions were directed to be returned for presentation before the proper court.

---