Prosecution against Senior Intelligence Officer of the DRI -...

Prosecution against Senior Intelligence Officer of the DRI - evasion of duty - undervaluation - illegal transactions - allegation that petitioners did not deliberately enquired with the supplier - The use of the words ‘no’ and ‘shall’ under Section 197 Cr.P.C. would make it abundantly clear that the bar on the exercise of power of the court to take cognizance of any offence is absolute and complete and taking of the cognizance is barred under law - the initiation of prosecution against them without sanction from the competent Government would erode their confidence in discharging their duties efficiently. Conducting parallel proceedings against them for the acts done by them in discharge of their official duties and rendering them liable for prosecution would not allow them to discharge their duties fearlessly. As such, it is considered fit to allow the petition quashing the proceedings against the petitioners. - HC