#CrPC Section 482

The Gujarat High Court quashed an FIR for wildlife offences, ruling that Section 55 mandates a formal complaint by a statutorily authorised officer for cognizance, not a police-style FIR. The decision reinforces that special statutes with specific complaint procedures oust the general CrPC framework, barring proceedings initiated without jurisdictional foundation.

Delhi High Court refused to quash summons issued to the directors of Dev Bhoomi Automobiles, holding that a prima facie case under Sections 138 and 141 NI Act suffices at the pre-trial stage. The court clarified that directors can be held vicariously liable for the company’s dishonoured cheques without proving they signed the instrument. Consequently, lack of signatory status cannot shield directors from criminal summons in NI Act matters.

Punjab & Haryana High Court reaffirms that FIRs under private offences (Sections 406, 420 IPC) can be quashed under BNSS Section 528 if parties reach a genuine compromise, provided procedural safeguards like victim statements are followed. The ruling clarifies that BNSS retains CrPC’s inherent powers for quashing non-compoundable offences, offering relief to accused where disputes are amicably resolved.

Jharkhand High Court reaffirms that magistrates cannot alter IPC sections during cognizance, restricting modifications to trial stage under CrPC Sections 216, 218, or 228. The ruling clarifies procedural boundaries for charge framing, impacting prosecution strategies in criminal cases.