PRITISH vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA .

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of whether the appellant was entitled to a hearing before the reference court ordered prosecution under Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court held that the reference court acted within its jurisdiction in initiating prosecution against the appellant and others for producing forged documents, thereby committing offences affecting the administration of justice. The court upheld the findings of the reference court regarding the fabrication of documents and the resultant criminal liability of the appellant.