MATAJOG DOBEY vs H. C. BHARI(WITH CONNECTED APPEAL)

The Supreme Court held that sanction under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is necessary when the alleged acts of assault and criminal force are related to the performance of official duties. The Court clarified that Article 14 does not render Section 197 ultra vires, as the government's discretion to grant sanction is based on rational classification. Furthermore, the need for sanction may arise at any stage of the proceedings, depending on the facts that come to light during the inquiry or trial.