The court emphasized the importance of considering the nature and gravity of the crime, and the impact on society, when deciding to quash criminal proceedings based on settlement, as outlined in the guidelines from the case of Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab and others.

JUDGMENT

1. By consent of the parties, heard finally at admission stage.

2. The applicants are seeking quashing of F.I.R. No. 214 of 2021 registered with M.I.D.C. Cidco Police Station, Aurangabad for the offence punishable under Sections 323, 498-A, 504 r.w. 34 of I.P.C. and also seeking quashing of the proceedings vide R.C.C. No. 2295 of 2021 pending before the learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Aurangabad, on the ground that the parties have arrived at a amicable settlement.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the applicants and learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2 submit that the parties have arrived at an amicable settlement and decided to put an end to the marital ties and all the proceedings pending in the Courts. The settlement terms are reduced into writing and the same has been placed before the Family Court, Aurangabad. Learned counsel for respondent No.2 submits that applicant No.1-husband has filed a petition before the Family Court, Aurangabad for a decree of divorce and the same is now sought to be converted into a petition seeking decree of divorce on mutual consent in terms of the provisions of Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The compromise terms are worked out and the same has been placed before the Family Court. Learned counsel for respondent No.2-informant submits that applicant No.1-husband has agreed to pay an amount of Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakh only) to respondent No.2 as permanent alimony and the said amount has been deposited before the Family Court. It is agreed between the parties that the said amount will be paid to respondent No.2 after the decree of divorce is passed. Learned counsel for respondent No.2 has filed a consent affidavit to that effect.

4. We have also heard learned A.P.P. for respondent No.1 State.

5. In the case of Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab and others, reported in (2012) 10 SCC 303, the Supreme Court in para 48 has referred the view taken by the five-Judge Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Kulwinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2007) 4 CTC 769 and particularly quoted para 21 and referred the guidelines framed by the five-Judge Bench for quashing of the proceedings on the basis of settlement. Guideline under clause 21(a) which is relevant for the present discussion reads as under :

''21...... (a) Cases arising from matrimonial discord, even if other offences are introduced for aggravation of the case.''

6. Thus, the Supreme Court in para No.61 of the judgment in the case of Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab and others (supra) has made the following observations:-

''61. The position that emerges from the above discussion can be summarised thus:

The power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz; (i) to secure the ends of justice or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any Court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R may be exercised where the offender and victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim's family and the offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private in nature and have serious impact on society. Similarly, any compromise between the victim and offender in relation to the offences under special statutes like Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in