Section 482 cannot be used to assess defence evidence where prosecution materials disclose a triable case.

The petitioners sought to quash proceedings in C.C. No. 294/2019, arising from Crime No. 49/2019, for offences under Sections 143, 147, 148, 323, 324, 504 and 506 read with Section 149 of the IPC

The complaint and charge sheet alleged that, during a dispute over land, the petitioners assaulted and threatened the complainants; two complainants received medical attention, and eyewitnesses and the treating doctor were cited during the investigation

The petitioners relied on the parties’ civil dispute, related proceedings and wound certificates, and contended that the complaint was false and intended to harass them

The State opposed quashing, submitting that the evidence and injuries raised matters for trial

The Court applied Section 482 of the Cr.P.C., under which the High Court’s power to quash criminal proceedings is limited.

At that stage, the Court does not assess the defence or weigh evidence that is for the trial court to consider.

The Court also treated the applicability of the charged offences, in light of the injuries and other evidence, as a matter for trial

No precedent was cited.

The Court noted the civil dispute and the petitioners’ contention that the complaint was retaliatory, but found that the record also included wound certificates, statements from eyewitnesses and evidence that the complainants had received medical treatment

Although one certificate recorded no external injuries and the other described simple injuries, the Court held that the significance of those materials—and whether the allegations established the charged offences—could not be determined by weighing evidence under Section 482

Those matters were for the trial court.

The criminal petition was dismissed