Inherent jurisdiction cannot control police investigation or compel arrest, seizure, or a charge sheet in cognizable offences.

Inherent jurisdiction cannot be used to direct the police on how to conduct an ongoing investigation into a cognizable offence. Investigation remains within the statutory domain of the police, and judicial intervention is limited to preventing abuse of process or securing the ends of justice. Directions to arrest, seize property, or file a charge sheet amount to unwarranted interference with the investigative function, especially where made without notice to affected persons and without any factual basis showing inaction, collusion, or dereliction by the investigating agency. The High Court order was therefore beyond jurisdiction and was set aside.

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Issues: Whether the High Court could, in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction, interfere with an ongoing police investigation into a cognizable offence and direct the police to arrest, seize property, and file a charge sheet.

Analysis: The statutory scheme reserves investigation of cognizable offences to the police, and the Court's inherent power is meant to prevent abuse of process or secure the ends of justice, not to control the manner of investigation. Directions compelling arrest, seizure, or a particular investigative outcome amount to unwarranted interference with the police function. Such orders are especially unsustainable when passed without notice to the persons likely to be affected and without any factual basis showing inaction, collusion, or dereliction by the investigating agency.

Conclusion: The High Court's order was beyond the limits of its jurisdiction and was liable to be set aside; the appeals succeeded.

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