law: Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973
  
  258.Power to stop proceedings in certain cases.-
  In any summons-case instituted otherwise than
  
  upon complaint, a Magistrate of the first class or, with the previous sanction
  
  of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, any other Judicial Magistrate, may, for
  
  reasons to be recorded by him, stop the proceedings at any stage without
  
  pronouncing any judgment and where such stoppage of proceedings is made after
  
  the evidence of the principal witnesses has been recorded, pronounce a judgment
  
  of acquittal, and in any other case, release the accused, and such release
  
  shall have the effect of discharge.