In Brief
A public servant accused of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known income was prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The High Court quashed the FIR, finding it lacked detailed figures and quantum of assets. The Supreme Court allowed the State's appeal, holding that an FIR need not contain exact financial details at registration; it is sufficient if preliminary inquiry material shows reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct. Courts must not conduct mini-trials at the investigation stage by scrutinizing allegation reliability. The Court also rejected mala fide objections, finding them inadequately pleaded and holding that, if evidence is adequate and prosecution justifiable, political overtones do not vitiate proceedings. High courts should maintain a hands-off approach in corruption cases at investigation stage."
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