High Courts Cannot Conduct ‘Mini-Trial’ While Deciding FIR Quashing Pleas; Karnataka Cases Restored: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has clarified that High Courts do not have the authority to conduct a “mini-trial” or assess evidence when deciding petitions to quash FIRs under the Criminal Procedure Code. This landmark judgment emphasizes that courts must restrict their inquiry to the question of whether the FIR discloses a cognizable offence and should not evaluate the evidence or facts at the investigation stage. Background of the Case…