S. Anand vs Vasumathi Chandrasekar

The Supreme Court held that under Section 256(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a Magistrate must acquit the accused if the complainant fails to appear without sufficient cause. The Court found that the High Court erred in interfering with the Magistrate's discretionary power to acquit the accused based on the complainant's prolonged absence. The appeal was allowed, reinstating the acquittal of the appellant by the Metropolitan Magistrate due to the complainant's absence.