K KARUNAKARAN vs STATE OF KERALA

The Supreme Court quashed FIR No. 1/97 against the appellant, the former Chief Minister of Kerala, holding that the FIR was based on an illegal Government Order dated 12th May 1992, which violated the principles established in Vineet Narain & Ors. vs. Union of India [1998 (1) SCC 226]. The Court found that the registration of the FIR constituted contempt of court as it lacked new material and was motivated by political rivalry. Thus, the Court held that the appellant should not face harassment from a criminal trial under these circumstances.