As per case facts, an FIR was lodged against the Petitioner, president of OCCF, alleging irregularities in coal distribution during 2008-2010, including fraudulent appointment of a Marketing Agent leading to ... pecuniary gain and loss to the Exchequer. The Petitioner sought to quash the FIR and criminal proceedings, arguing a lack of prima facie evidence against him, collective decision-making within OCCF, and an unconstitutional delay in the trial, which had been ongoing for over a decade with few witnesses examined. He also claimed political motivation. The question arose whether the criminal proceedings should be quashed due to inordinate delay and the alleged absence of direct evidence linking the Petitioner to the core offenses. Finally, the Court quashed the FIR and consequential criminal proceedings against the Petitioner, citing both the excessive and unexplained delay in the trial and the lack of direct evidence attributing individual responsibility to him for the alleged fraudulent appointment or financial loss.