Inherent powers cannot halt an investigation on disputed facts; criminal inquiry must proceed where full investigation is needed.

The Supreme Court held that inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 CrPC cannot be used to stop an investigation or quash criminal proceedings where disputed factual issues remain, including questions about the lodging and authenticity of the FIR. Judicial interference at the investigation stage is warranted only in exceptional circumstances, and contested facts or defence material should not be evaluated at that stage. As the inquiry materials indicated the need for a full investigation, the High Court's order interdicting the investigation was set aside and the investigation was directed to continue in accordance with law.

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Issues: Whether the High Court was justified in using its inherent jurisdiction to interdict investigation and quash the criminal proceeding at the stage of investigation.

Analysis: The order under challenge had restrained the investigation even though the materials disclosed disputed factual issues concerning the lodging and authenticity of the FIR. The power under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure does not extend to deciding contested facts or evaluating the defence at that stage, and interference with an ongoing investigation is permissible only in exceptional circumstances. The material collected in the inquiry indicated the need for a full investigation rather than judicial foreclosure of the process.

Conclusion: The High Court exceeded its jurisdiction, the order interdicting investigation was set aside, and the investigation was directed to proceed in accordance with law.

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