As per case facts...the appellant, a District Magistrate, was accused of irregularly issuing arms licenses over 20 years ago. An initial investigation cleared him, but further investigation was ordered later. ... After an 11-year delay in submitting a supplementary chargesheet and a non-speaking sanction order from the State, the High Court refused to quash the criminal proceedings against him. The question arose...whether the continuation of criminal proceedings against the appellant should be quashed due to an improper sanction order and the egregious 11-year delay in completing the investigation, violating his right to a speedy trial. Finally...the Supreme Court allowed the appeal, quashing the proceedings. It held that the sanction order was a non-speaking order and did not reflect the requisite application of mind, and the 11-year delay in investigation was unjustifiable, violating the fundamental right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.