Delay in initiating criminal proceedings or preferring a private complaint does not serve as an automatic ground for quashing an FIR at the preliminary threshold under Section 482 CrPC. Whether a delay is satisfactorily explained or impacts the credibility of the prosecution is purely a matter of evidence appreciation during the trial, rather than a matter for summary determination. (2026 INSC 39 | C S.Prasad vs C.Satyakumar and Others)