#Section 154 CrPC

Bombay High Court Nagpur Bench rules that an FIR under government circulars for misappropriation of Gram Panchayat funds can only be lodged if the enquiry report explicitly discloses a cognizable offence. The court emphasized that mere irregularities or administrative lapses do not automatically trigger criminal proceedings, safeguarding public officials from arbitrary FIRs.

The J&K High Court has ruled that closure of a preliminary inquiry does not extinguish the duty to register an FIR if subsequent evidence reveals a cognizable offence. This clarifies that administrative closure cannot override statutory obligations under Section 154 CrPC, reinforcing that criminal proceedings remain viable even after disciplinary acquittals.