In Brief
The Supreme Court allowed appeals by State of Kerala in drug misbranding cases, setting aside the Kerala High Court's order that quashed proceedings. The Court held that when a public servant files a complaint in official discharge of duties, a mandatory Section 202 CrPC inquiry before issuing process against out-of-jurisdiction accused is not required. The Court also clarified that limitation under Sections 468-469 CrPC begins from the date the offender's identity becomes known, not from the initial complaint date. Fresh summons were directed to issue for trial to proceed according to law.
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