STATE OF KARNATAKA vs PASTOR P. RAJU

The Supreme Court held that the initiation of criminal proceedings under Section 153-B IPC requires prior sanction as mandated by Section 196(1-A) Cr.P.C. The Court affirmed the Karnataka High Court's decision to quash the proceedings against Pastor P. Raju due to the absence of such sanction, establishing that without it, the proceedings are illegal and without jurisdiction. Consequently, the appeal by the State of Karnataka was dismissed, upholding the High Court's ruling.