IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J.
Sukbir Singh – Appellant
Versus
State & Ors. – Respondents
Cr.M.C. 6189 of 2022
Decided On : 05-07-2023
POCSO Act - Quashing of FIR - Settlement and Compounding of Offenses
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner filed a petition seeking quashing of FIR registered under Sections 354D/323 IPC and Section 12 of POCSO Act, alleging stalking and assault. The parties reached an amicable settlement and the offenses were compounded before the trial court.
Finding of the Court:
The court, considering the settlement between the parties and the private nature of the offense, exercised its power under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash the FIR and criminal proceedings to prevent abuse of court process and secure the ends of justice.
Issues: The issues involved the quashing of FIR under POCSO Act and IPC, the validity of the settlement between the parties, and the exercise of inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that when the offense is predominantly private in nature and does not have a serious impact on society, a settlement between the parties may lead to better relations and resolution of the private dispute, justifying the exercise of power under Section 482 Cr.P.C.
Final Decision: The court quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings under Sections 354D/323 IPC and Section 12 of POCSO Act, considering the settlement and to prevent abuse of court process and secure the ends of justice.
JUDGMENT
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J. (Oral)--The present petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr. PC seeking quashing of FIR No. 705/2015 registered at PS Sagarpur under Sections 354D/323 IPC and Section 12 of POCSO Act. The present FIR was lodged on the statement of respondent No.5/complainant alleging that petitioner had been stalking her and when the complainant asked him not to do so, the petitioner gave beatings to her uncle Raj Kumar.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that on the same date, another cross FIR No. 706/2015 under Sections 341/323/34 IPC registered at PS Sagarpur was lodged by the petitioner party.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that now the parties have reached an amicable settlement and in FIR No. 705/2015 registered at PS Sagarpur under Sections 354D/323 IPC and Section POCSO Act, the offenses are compoundable in nature have already compounded before the learned Trial Court in respect of FIR No. 706/2015 under Sections 341/323/34 IPC registered at PS Sagarpur. The settlement has been placed on record.
4. The parties have entered into the settlement vide MOU dated 09.11.2022/10.11.2022 or December, 2021voluntarily fear, force and coercion on the following terms and conditions:
A. That both the parties being related to each other have agreed to maintain peaceful, cordial and harmonious relation with each other in future and thus both the parties have mutually agreed to cooperate each other for quashing of FIR or statement in concerned court in the above noted criminal cases pending against each other.
B. That both parties have agreed that they shall cooperate each other in the case above mentioned and give statement to that effect before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi/concerned Court at New Delhi.
C. That both the parties mutually agreed that both in future they will not file any criminal case or complaint against each other or any other family members qua the alleged dispute and if any case or complaint is found to pending in any Court of law or before any authority, the same shall be deemed to be null and void.
D. That both the parties undertake to abide by the terms elaborated in this settlement/MOU. That now after this agreement/settlement no more dispute, differences, litigation, claim or counter claims between the parties remains and the parties shall take necessary steps and actions to implement this MOU in its letter and spirit and co-operate with each other.
E. That both parties have executed this agreement/settlement voluntarily on their own free will and accord without any pressure, inducement, force, compulsion or threat from any quarter whatsoever.
5. Respondent No.2 is present in person and states that she has entered into the settlement voluntarily out of her own free will without any fear force or coercion and she has no objection if the present proceedings are quashed.
6. Parties have been duly identified by the IO
7. I have interacted with respondent No.5, she states she wants to settle the matter amicably voluntarily without fear, force or coercion. The cases pertaining to offences under the POCSO act have been quashed by the coordinate benches of this court. Reliance has been placed on the order dated 24.04.2019 in Yogesh Kumar Gupta vs State, W.P. (Crl.) 3281/2018; order dated 02.12.2021 in Rohit Kumar vs. The State of NCT of Delhi and Anr., CRL. M.C. 3096/2021; order dated 21.02.2022 in Kundan & Anr. Vs. State & Ors., CRL.M.C. 27/2022.
8. Section 482 Cr.P.C. pre-supposes three circumstances under which the inherent jurisdiction may be exercised, i.e., (i) to give effect to an order (ii) to prevent the abuse of the process of court and (iii) to otherwise secure the ends of justice. The court while exercising the power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. does not function as a court of appeal or revision. The powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C., are of wide plenitude but have to be exercised sparingly with caution and only in the event when aforesaid three conditions are
The court may exercise power under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash proceedings when the offense is predominantly private and a settlement between the parties would lead to better relations and resolution....
The court has the discretion to quash criminal proceedings based on a settlement, especially in cases where there is a pre-existing familial or personal relationship, to prevent the abuse of the cour....
The court invoked its inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash the FIRs on the plea that continuance thereof would merely be an abuse of process of law, considering the amicable settlement be....
The court has the power to quash criminal proceedings on the ground of a settlement, considering the private nature of the dispute and the amicable settlement reached by the parties.
The court may exercise power under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash criminal proceedings when the chances of an ultimate conviction are bleak, and a settlement between the parties would lead to better rel....
The court has the discretion to quash criminal proceedings based on an amicable settlement and the interest of social harmony.
The power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. should be exercised to secure the ends of justice and prevent abuse of the process of any court. The possibility of conviction being remote and bleak due to a sett....
The court may exercise its power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to quash criminal proceedings when a settlement between the parties would lead to better relations and no useful purpose would be served by ....
The court can quash proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C if an amicable settlement is reached and continuing the proceedings would be an abuse of process of law.
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