Key Points: - The police have the statutory right and duty to investigate cognizable offences; courts should not interfere with investigation except under appropriate circumstances (!) (!) (!) - High Court's inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. is to be exercised sparingly to secure ends of justice or to prevent abuse, not to direct the investigation according to the Court's views (!) (!) - High Court's directions directing police to arrest, seize, or file a charge sheet, or to investigate in a particular manner, can overstep jurisdiction and amount to unwarranted interference (!) (!) - Observations or directions must be reasoned, hearing must be provided, and casual or mechanical orders without hearing are liable to be set aside as nullities (!) (!) - The inherent power does not create new powers beyond those already possessed; it preserves existing powers to secure ends of justice and to prevent abuse (!) (!)

What is the authority of the High Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to interfere with police investigation into a cognizable offence?

What are the limits and conditions under which the High Court's inherent power (Section 482 Cr.P.C.) may be exercised to secure ends of justice without directing the investigation?

What are the consequences ofHigh Court directives that interfere with statutory police investigation or that are issued without hearing the parties?