IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR
VIJAY BISHNOI, J.
Soma Ram S/o Lt. Sh. Ram– Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan and Ors. –Respondent
S.B. Criminal Misc. (Pet.) No. 7005/2021
Decided on : 03-02-2022
Indian Penal Code,1860 - Sections 354C, 353, 341, 323 and 34 – Criminal Procedure Code,1973 - Section 482 - Dispute - This criminal misc. petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed by petitioner for quashing FIR of Police Station - This Court vide order has directed petitioner as well as respondent to appear before Investigating officer and Investigating officer was directed to inform this Court about factum of compromise arrived at between parties - Learned Public Prosecutor has submitted factual report, wherein it is mentioned that parties have appeared before Investigating officer and informed him about the factum of compromise - Learned counsel for parties have also submitted that dispute between them was of trivial nature and both parties have settled same amicably, impugned FIR may be quashed - It is noticed that petitioner is Up-sarpanch and respondent is the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat and on account of some difference of opinion between them, this FIR has been lodged but now parties have settled their dispute amicably as both of them are public representatives in same institution - Whether to secure ends of justice, it is appropriate that criminal case is put to an end and if answer to the above question(s) is in affirmative, High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash criminal proceeding – Held, position that emerges from discussion can be summarized power of High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from power given to a criminal court for compounding offences under Section 320 of Code - Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with guideline engrafted in such power viz; (i) to secure ends of justice or (ii) to prevent abuse of process of any Court - In what cases power to quash criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R. may be exercised where offender and victim have settled their dispute would depend on facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed - Keeping in view law laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court in Gian Singh's case (supra) and the fact that matter has already been compromised between parties which has been verified by police authorities, court do not find any reason to continue with investigation of the FIR of Police Station- This criminal misc. petition is allowed and impugned FIR of Police Station lodged against the petitioner for offence under Sections 354C, 353, 341, 323 and 34 of IPC is hereby quashed - Stay petition is disposed of.
JUDGMENT :
VIJAY BISHNOI, J.
1. This criminal misc. petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed by the petitioner for quashing the FIR No. 304/2021 of Police Station Abu Road Sadar, District Sirohi.
2. This Court vide order dated 18.01.2022 has directed the petitioner as well as the respondent No. 2 to appear before the Investigating officer and the Investigating officer was directed to inform this Court about the factum of compromise arrived at between the parties.
3. Today, learned Public Prosecutor has submitted the factual report, wherein it is mentioned that the parties have appeared before the Investigating officer and informed him about the factum of compromise.
4. Learned counsel for the parties have also submitted that the dispute between them was of trivial nature and both the parties have settled the same amicably, therefore, the impugned FIR may be quashed.
5. It is noticed that the petitioner is Up-sarpanch and the respondent No. 2 is the Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat and on account of some difference of opinion between them, this FIR has been lodged but now the parties have settled their dispute amicably as both of them are public representatives in the same institution.
6. Heard learned counsel for the parties.
7. The Hon'ble Apex Court while answering a reference in the case of Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr. reported in JT 2012(9) SC-426, has held as below:-
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