Point of law: Court deems it just and proper to invoke inherent powers of this Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C.

ORDER :

1. This instant criminal misc. petition has been filed by the petitioner for quashing the FIR No.320/2022 registered at Police Station Nokha, District Bikaner for offences under Sections 498-A, 406, 323, 376(2)(f) and 34 IPC on the basis of compromise entered between the parties.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner and respondent No.2 are husband and wife. The parties have entered into a compromise in the on-going criminal proceedings. In such circumstances, the impugned FIR along with criminal proceedings initiated pursuant thereto against the petitioner may be quashed.

3. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, since the petitioner and complainant have arrived at compromise and settled their dispute and in the view of the law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex court in the case of B.S. Joshi Vs. State of Haryana, reported in 2003 (4) SCC p.675 in which it has been held that the proceedings under Section 498A IPC can be quashed because it is the matrimonial matter, the criminal proceedings for offence under Section 498-A IPC are liable to be quashed.

4. This Court is conscious of the judgment rendered by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Prashant Bhartiya Vs. State of Delhi & Ors. in Criminal Appeal No.708 of 2021 decided on 30.07.2021, relevant portion of which reads as follows:-

“3. Respondent No. 2 had lodged a complaint alleging, inter alia, that the Appellant had committed an offence under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code. It is undisputed that both the Accused (Appellant) and Respondent No. 2 were living together for a considerable while. The complainant's allegation is that the Appellant duped her by misrepresenting to her that he is divorced. The complainant, according to the accused, is not unmarried and her marriage subsists.

4. During pendency of the proceedings, the parties were referred to mediation having regard to the fact that a child was born in the meanwhile (i.e. in the year 2018). As a consequence, a mediated settlement limited to the maintenance and upkeep of the child was arrived at by them.

5. Having regard to these facts and the submissions made on behalf of the complainant - who does not dispute that this may not be an appropriate case for pursuing the prosecution further, this Court is of the considered view that the criminal proceedings must be quashed.

6. In the peculiar circumstances of the present case, the impugned judgment of the High Court is set aside; the FIR (No. 616) and all consequent proceedings be quashed. It is, however, made clear that this order will not come in the way or in any manner prejudice the contentions of the parties in any other pending proceedings, which shall 20-09-2022 be decided in accordance with law.

7. The appeal is allowed to the above extent.”

5. Learned counsels for the petitioner has submitted the following order for consideration passed by this Court in S.B. Criminal Misc. (Petition) No.4119/2021 decided on 06.04.2022 (Dhabba Nath Vs. State of Rajasthan & Anr.), which reads as follows:-

“1. By way of this criminal misc. petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the accused-petitioner has approached this Court with a prayer to quash the FIR No.94/2021 registered at Police Station Gida, District Barmer for the offences punishable under Section 376 of Indian Penal Code and Section 67 of the I.T. Act.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that during pendency of investigation, the petitioner and the complainant have entered into a compromise and thus, no dispute remains pending between them and the complainant does not wish to continue with the present litigation.

3. Learned counsel further submits that the compromise in question has been produced before the Investigating Officer, who has verified the factum of compromise and the same has been executed without any force or coercion.

4. Learned counsel submits that the complaint in question came be to be lodged by the complainant on a