JUDGMENT :

(Satyen Vaidya, J.)

1. By way of instant petition, petitioners have prayed for quashing of FIR No.143 of 2020, dated 01.05.2020 under Sections 451, 323, 504, 506, 509, 269 and 34 of IPC, registered at Police Station, Chamba alongwith consequential criminal proceedings arising therefrom.

2. It is averred in the petition that no prima facie case is made out from the bare reading of FIR No.143 of 2020. In Fact, FIR No. 143 of 2020 was nothing, but a counter-blast to FIR No. 140 of 2020 registered against respondents No. 2 and 3 on 30.4.2020 at the instance of petitioner No.1. It is further submitted that there is a pending civil litigation between the parties and respondent No.2 has reported a false case against petitioners with ulterior purposes.

3. Respondent No.1/State has filed reply and has contested the averments made in the petition being wrong and incorrect. It is submitted that the investigation was carried after registration of FIR No. 143 of 2020. Sufficient evidence was found against the petitioners and the report under Section 173(2) Cr.P.C. has been submitted in the court of competent jurisdiction, where the petitioners are facing trial.

4. During the course of he