STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs P.V. PAVITHRAN

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of inordinate delay in criminal investigations under Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Court held that while excessive delay can lead to quashing of FIRs, it cannot be a blanket rule; each case must be evaluated on its own merits, considering factors such as the complexity of the case and the reasons for the delay. The appeal was dismissed, affirming that the High Court's broad proposition regarding delay was too expansive and could hinder future prosecutions.