Express statutory bar on staying corruption trials overrides inherent criminal procedure powers and prevents delay in proceedings.

Section 19(3)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 imposes an express bar on courts staying proceedings under the Act on grounds other than the limited sanction-related ground stated in the provision. That prohibition is comprehensive and is not confined to revisional jurisdiction under Section 397 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The High Court's inherent power under Section 482 cannot override this statutory restriction. The provision is directed at expediting corruption trials and preventing delay through stay orders, so the bar against stay of proceedings applies fully.

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Issues: Whether Section 19(3)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 bars any court from staying proceedings under the Act, including in exercise of inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Analysis: Section 19(3)(c) contains an express prohibition that, notwithstanding the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, no court shall stay proceedings under the Act on any ground other than the limited sanction-related ground specified in the provision. The language is comprehensive and is not confined to revisional jurisdiction under Section 397 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The inherent power under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 cannot be used to override an express statutory bar enacted by Parliament. The provision was enacted to expedite corruption trials and prevent delay through stay orders.

Conclusion: The bar against stay of proceedings under Section 19(3)(c) applies fully, and the High Court cannot grant stay of trial by invoking inherent powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Final Conclusion: The legal position on stay of proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was affirmed, and the appeal failed.

Ratio Decidendi: An express statutory prohibition on staying proceedings under a special enactment prevails over the inherent powers of the High Court under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

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