The Supreme Court ruled that a magistrate’s direction to register an FIR under Section 156(3) CrPC isn't invalid just because the complainant skipped the remedy under Section 154(3).
The bench, led by Justices Pankaj Mithal and SVN Bhatti, said the magistrate’s action may be irregular, but not illegal if a cognizable offence is disclosed and mind is applied.
The Court upheld the Delhi High Court's decision in this case, dismissing the appeal. The ruling clarifies that procedural lapses shouldn’t overshadow the magistrate’s lawful authority to trigger criminal investigations.
[Anurag Bhatnagar & Anr. v. State (NCT OF Delhi) & Anr]
