IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH, J.
(22.6.2022)
Criminal Misc. No.16921, 19253 of 2016
Shyam Nandan Prasad Singh
& Anr. (in 16291)
Chandan Kumar (in 19253) : Petitioners
Vs.
State of Bihar & Ors. : Opp. Parties
(in both)
Indian Penal Code, 1860 – Sections 323 and 498 (A) – Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 – Section 3 and 4 – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – Section 482 – Settlement between parties – In a case under section 498A of IPC, if parties enter into a compromise, chances of an ultimate conviction are bleak, and no useful purpose would be served by allowing criminal proceedings to continue – Order taking cognizance quashed. (Paras 6 and 7)
PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH, J.:–These petitions are disposed of with this common order as they arise out of the same police case and parties have prayed for similar relief(s).
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, the State and the respective opposite parties in both petitions.
3. These petitions have been filed for setting aside order dated 19.02.2016, passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jehanabad in Complaint Case No. 792 of 2015, by which cognizance has been taken against the petitioners for the offences punishable under Sections 323 and 498 (A) of Indian Penal Code and Section 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that on joint prayer of the parties, this Court vide order dated 03.02.2017 had referred the matter to Mediation and Conciliation Centre of Bihar State Legal Services Authority and due to well wishes prevailed upon the them the issue got reconciled between the parties and both sides decided to part ways on payment of one time settlement amount of Rs.11,50,000/- by the petitioners to the opposite party no.2. In terms of the said agreement, petitioners have already paid the aforesaid amount which fact has also come in order of this Court dated 31.8.2017, passed in Cr.Misc.No. 46815/2016 while allowing anticipatory bail to petitioner Chandan Kumar, who happens to be husband of opposite party no.2.
5. Learned counsel for opposite party no.2 as also learned State counsel are present in the Court. They do not controvert the aforesaid facts.
6. It has been held by the Courts in a catena of judgments that in a case under section 498A of the IPC, if the parties enter into a compromise, the chances of an ultimate conviction are bleak, and hence no useful purpose would be served by allowing the criminal proceedings to continue.
7. In that view of the matter, order taking cognizance dated 19.02.2016, passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jehanabad in Complaint Case No. 792 of 2015 with respect to Shyam Nandan Prasad and Indu Singh (petitioners of Cr.Misc.No. 16921/2016) and Chandan Kumar (petitioner of Cr.Misc.No. 19253 of 2016), is hereby quashed.
8. These petitions stand allowed.
Compromise between parties in marital disputes can result in quashing of criminal proceedings, emphasizing the need to avoid abuse of the judicial process.
The court can quash criminal proceedings under inherent jurisdiction when parties mutually settle disputes, including divorce and alimony agreements.
The court can quash criminal proceedings based on compromise and settlement between the parties, even if the offence is non-compoundable, in order to establish peace and harmony.
The High Court has the inherent power to quash criminal proceedings in matrimonial disputes where reconciliation occurs, affirming that pursuing litigation should not counterproductive to family harm....
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