Territorial jurisdiction cannot usually block investigation of a cognizable offence where the FIR discloses a case worth probing.

A police officer in charge of a police station may investigate a cognizable offence under Section 156 CrPC, and Section 156(2) bars challenge to that investigation merely because the officer lacked power to investigate. Territorial jurisdiction rules in Chapter XIII, including Sections 177 and 178, govern inquiry and trial, not the validity of investigation at the FIR stage. The High Court's inherent power under Section 482 should not be used to stop a lawful investigation where the FIR discloses cognizable offences. The FIR was therefore restored and the investigation allowed to proceed to completion.

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Issues: Whether a High Court can quash an FIR at the investigation stage on the ground that the police station lacks territorial jurisdiction to investigate the alleged cognizable offence.

Analysis: The statutory scheme confers power on the officer in charge of a police station to investigate cognizable offences under Section 156 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and sub-section (2) bars challenge to the police proceeding on the ground that the officer was not empowered to investigate. Questions of territorial jurisdiction for inquiry or trial are governed by Chapter XIII, including Sections 177 and 178, but those provisions do not forbid investigation merely because the offence may have been committed outside the local limits of the police station. The power under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code is not to be used to stop a lawful investigation at the threshold where the FIR discloses cognizable offences.

Conclusion: The High Court was not justified in quashing the FIR on the ground of want of territorial jurisdiction at the investigation stage.

Final Conclusion: The FIR was restored and the investigation was directed to proceed to completion.

Ratio Decidendi: A police officer may investigate a cognizable offence notwithstanding a territorial-jurisdiction objection, and such investigation cannot ordinarily be quashed under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court at the threshold.

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