STATE OF ORISSA THR.KUMAR R. SINGH vs GANESH CHANDRA JEW

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in the context of a complaint against officers of the Orissa State Forest Department for alleged assault and wrongful arrest. The Court held that the protection under Section 197 is not applicable as the actions of the officers were not performed in the discharge of their official duties, thereby allowing the complaint to proceed. The judgment of the Orissa High Court rejecting the petition under Section 482 was upheld, affirming the legality of the proceedings against the appellants.