FIRs/Criminal Cases Can Be Quashed Where Allegations Don’t Disclose Offence: SC

B.N. John Vs State of U.P. & Anr (Supreme Court of India) The Supreme Court in B.N. John v. State of U.P., 2025 SCC OnLine SC 7, reaffirmed the principles for quashing criminal proceedings, as laid down in State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal (1992). It outlined illustrative categories where quashing is justified, including: (1) when allegations in the FIR/complaint, even if taken at face value, do not constitute any offence; (2) when the FIR discloses only a non-cognizable offence requiring a Magistrate’s order under Section 155(2) CrPC; and (3) where there is an express legal bar to proceedi...