In Brief
The Supreme Court set aside a High Court order that had quashed criminal proceedings against accused persons for offences of attempt to cause injury, intimidation, and atrocities under the SC/ST Act without providing any reasoned justification. The High Court had merely stated that "no useful purpose" would be served by continuing the case. The Supreme Court held that High Court orders quashing criminal proceedings must be reasoned and demonstrate independent scrutiny of the allegations and the lower court's summoning order. The Court emphasized that mere assertions of futility cannot justify quashing proceedings where serious criminal allegations are established, and that the High Court must exercise greater caution in atrocity cases.
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