Proceedings cannot be quashed if co-accused are not charge-sheeted: SC

‘An accused whose involvement is prima facie proved cannot be treated on par with others against whom no material was found’

Criminal proceedings against an accused person cannot be quashed merely because the charge-sheet was not filed by the police against some of his co-accused in the case, the Supreme Court has clarified.

An accused person whose involvement in a crime has been prima facie proved during a thorough investigation cannot claim to be treated on par with others against whom no material was found to be charge-sheeted, the court noted in a recent order.

“Merely because some other persons who might committed the offences, but were not arrayed as accused and were not charge-sheeted cannot be a ground to quash the criminal proceedings against the accused who is charge-sheeted after a thorough investigation,” a Bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna observed.