In Brief
In this criminal appeal, the Supreme Court considered whether proceedings against the respondent could be quashed solely because the investigating officer was not a Special Police Officer as required by the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The Court held that while investigation by an unauthorized officer is irregular, this does not automatically vitiate the trial or conviction once the court has taken cognizance. The Court must show actual miscarriage of justice to quash proceedings. The Court allowed the appeal, emphasizing that mere procedural defects in investigation do not warrant quashing established trials unless prejudice is demonstrably proved.
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