The SC upheld the High Court's refusal to quash the FIR...

The SC upheld the High Court's refusal to quash the FIR registered under Section 156(3) CrPC, emphasizing that the Magistrate applied independent mind and recorded satisfaction that a cognizable offence was disclosed. The informant's failure to demonstrate prior approach to police authorities did not vitiate the Magistrate's jurisdiction. The Court rejected the contention that the FIR related solely to a civil dispute, affirming that prior FIRs based on the same MoU breaches were criminal in nature. The subsequent FIR was held maintainable despite similarity to an earlier FIR, as parties and allegations differed. Given completed investigations and filed chargesheets, the Court declined to interfere under inherent powers or exercise discretion to quash the FIR. The petitions challenging the orders were dismissed, allowing the criminal proceedings to continue in accordance with law.

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