Section 281.   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.