JUDGMENT

Thomas, J.-Leave granted.

2. The grievance of the appellant is simple and apparently innocuous that he too may be heard by the court. But the High Court rolled down the shutters before him saying he has no right to be heard and the court has no power to permit him to be heard. As his grievance was compounded by such denial he has filed this appeal by special leave.

3. A person accused of certain offences moved the High Court of Delhi for quashing the criminal proceedings pending against him in a magistrate s court. Appellant informed the High Court that the criminal proceedings were initiated at his behest and hence he too may be heard before the criminal proceedings are to be quashed. A learned single judge of the High Court of Delhi, while foreclosing the appellant from doing so, observed that the Court is "of the considered opinion that the right of the complainant to be heard ceases once cognizance is taken and he cannot thereafter continue to participate in the proceedings as if he were the aggrieved party who must have his say in proceedings."

4. The background is the following. Appellant filed a complaint before the police alleging that respondents 2 & 3 committed offen