Constitutional & Criminal Law / rights guide

FIR Quashing & Discharge Applications (§ 528 BNSS)

Invoking inherent High Court powers under Section 528 BNSS (formerly 482 CrPC) to quash groundless, malicious, or settled criminal cases.

Statutory provisions and authorities

  • BNSS § 528 (Saving of Inherent Powers of High Court)
  • BNSS § 250 & § 262 (Discharge in Warrant and Sessions Trials)
  • State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal (1992)
  • Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012 - Quashing on Settlement)

Citizen safeguards

  • Right to be spared from malicious or harassment prosecutions lacking legal basis
  • Right to seek complete quashing of FIR before chargesheet or at summons stage
  • Right to apply for discharge before trial court if charges are groundless
  • Right to compound non-heinous private disputes with mutual consent

Procedural guide

The Inherent Powers of the High Court (§ 528 BNSS)

Section 528 of the BNSS preserves the inherent authority of High Courts to prevent the abuse of judicial process and secure the ends of justice.

1. The Bhajan Lal Grounds for Quashing

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