Vague criminal allegations and lack of individual role can justify quashing of proceedings for abuse of process.

Criminal proceedings under Sections 406, 498A and 114 IPC may be quashed where the complaint contains only vague and general allegations without specific particulars of each accused's role. The complaint here omitted the dates, exact entrustment, description or weight of the alleged ornaments, and the specific acts attributed to the appellants; the accusations were largely directed at the deceased husband and the allegations against the aged parents were generalized. The Court held that mere reproduction of statutory language is insufficient and that the complaint must disclose the individual offence and role of each accused. Continuation of the prosecution was held to be an abuse of process, and the complaint and cognizance order were quashed.

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Issues: Whether criminal proceedings under Sections 406, 498A and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 could be quashed where the complaint contained only vague and general allegations without specific particulars of the role played by each accused.

Analysis: The complaint did not disclose the dates, particulars, exact entrustment, description or weight of the alleged ornaments, or the specific acts attributed to the appellants. The allegations were largely directed against the husband, who had died, while the accusations against the aged parents were generalized and lacking in material particulars. In a complaint of this nature, mere reproduction of statutory language is insufficient; the complaint must disclose the particular offence committed by each accused and their individual role. On the facts, continuation of the prosecution against the appellants would amount to abuse of process.

Conclusion: The complaint and the order taking cognizance were quashed in favour of the appellants.

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