CHANDRA DEO SINGH vs PROKASH CHANDRA BOSE & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 202 and Section 203 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, an accused does not have locus standi to contest a criminal case before the issuance of process. The Court clarified that the Magistrate's role in the inquiry is limited and does not extend to weighing evidence as if conducting a trial. The appeal was allowed, affirming that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate acted without jurisdiction by allowing the accused to participate in the proceedings before process issuance.