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2023 Supreme(Raj) 2154

IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN
Farjand Ali, J.
Pappu Khan and Ors. - Petitioners
Versus
State Of Rajasthan and Ors. – Respondents
S.B. Criminal Revision Petition No. 861 of 2018
Decided On : 04-08-2023

Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. Vinod Kumar Sihag, Advocate.
For the Respondent:Mr. Niranjan Lal Joshi, Ms. Kirti Pareek, Advocates.

Headnote:(A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Sections 397 and 401 - Criminal proceedings - The petitioners sought to quash the order taking cognizance of offences under Sections 451, 323/34 and 143 IPC due to a compromise between parties. The court relied on Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, emphasizing the importance of amicable resolutions in trivial disputes. The court highlighted that the non-compoundable nature of Section 143 does not preclude quashing proceedings if public peace is not breached and a compromise exists. Findings indicate the case involves neighbors and a trivial dispute regarding a wall. (Paras 2, 6, 7, 8)

Facts of the case:
The petitioners contested an order taking cognizance for various IPC offences, claiming a compromise was reached wherein the complainant wished to cease proceedings.

Findings of Court:
The court observed the compromise could prevent further escalation and permitted the quashing of the cognizance order for the sake of justice.

Issues: The court considered the validity of continuing proceedings for non-compoundable offences amid a mutual agreement to settle the matter amicably.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that despite the nature of certain offences being non-compoundable, amicable settlements can warrant quashing ongoing proceedings if they are trivial and do not threaten public order, guided by precedent.

Result: The revision petition is allowed, and the order taking cognizance is set aside with proceedings quashed.

Table of Content
1. cognizance of offenses and background of dispute (Para 1)
2. arguments on compromise and its implications (Para 2 , 3 , 4)
3. court's analysis on continuation of proceedings (Para 5 , 7)
4. support for quashing proceedings based on compromise (Para 6)
5. conclusion to quash proceedings and dispose applications (Para 8 , 9)

ORDER :

Farjand Ali, J.

The instant revision petition under Section 397 CrPC read with Section 401 CrPC has been preferred by the petitioners against the order dated 25.06.2018 passed by the learned Special Judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Cases, Churu in F.R. No.382/2017 (FIR No.15/2017 of Police Station Sardarshahar, District Churu), whereby cognizance has been taken against to the petitioners for the offences under Sections 451 , 323/34 and 143 IPC.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the parties have decided to settle the dispute amicably and have arrived at a compromise. He has placed on record the compromise deed dated 03.08.2023, wherein it is stated that the parties have arrived at a compromise and the complainant does not wish to pursue criminal proceedings against the petitioners. He, therefore, prays that the revision petition may be allowed and the criminal proceedings against the petitioners may be put to an end.

3. Learned counsel for complainant does not dispute the fact of compromise and expresses his inclination for acquittal of accused petitioners on the ground of compromise.

4. Learned Public Prosecutor has vehemently opposed the prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioners and submits that since the offence under Section 143 of the IPC is not compoundable, therefore, matter should be decided on merits only.

5. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record.

6. The fact of compromise is reflecting from the record of the case. The FIR is of the year 2017. The dispute arose on a trivial issue of erecting a boundary wall on a plot. It is also appearing that the parties belong to the same locality and are neighbours. They have decided to settle the matter out of court. The learned court below has taken cognisance against the petitioner for the offences under Sections 451 , 323/34 and 143 IPC. Although the offence under Section 143 of the IPC is non-compoundable, but this Court is aptly guided by the judicial pronouncement made by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr. reported in (2012) 10 SCC 303, wherein it is propounded that if the parties resolve the dispute amicably and the matter does not pertain to breach of public peace and essentially, it is a dispute inter se/between the parties, then in such circumstances, with a view to establish harmony between two families, the proceedings can be quashed by the high Court while exercising the power under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. Whenever the fact of compromise is taken into consideration by the Court, discretion has to be exercised with caution and while considering the circumstances prevalent in the matter at hand.

7. In the present case, considering all the factors, including the fact of compromise, this Court is of the opinion that allowing continuance of proceedings against the petitioners in pursuance of the impugned order taking cognisance any further would not be expedient in the interest of justice. If the proceedings are allowed to continue, it may result into the compromise being unsettled. Thus, this court deems it appropriate to allow the revision petition.

8. Accordingly, the criminal revision petition is allowed. The order dated 25.06.2018 passed by the learned Special Judge, SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Cases, Churu in F.R. No.382/2017 (FIR No.15/2017 of Police Station Sardarshahar, District Churu), whereby cognisance has been taken against to the petitioners for the offences under Sections 451 , 323/34 and 143 IPC, is set aside and all subsequent proceedings sought to be taken thereunder against the petitioners a

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