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Nolle prosequi

Term
Criminal
Literal meaningTo be unwilling to prosecute
PronunciationNOL-ay PROS-eh-kwee

A decision by the prosecutor not to go on with a criminal case. In India it is called withdrawal from prosecution.

Example

The Public Prosecutor finds that the case is not made out and asks the court's permission to withdraw it.

Statutory link

Section 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (now in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita): a Public Prosecutor may withdraw a case with the court's consent.

Exceptions / limits

The court must give its consent. It will refuse if the withdrawal is to help the accused for an improper reason.

Exam tip

Asked with Section 321 CrPC.

Memory trick

Prosecutor says: I will not pursue.

Key takeaway

A prosecutor can withdraw a case, but only with the court's consent.

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