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2023 Supreme(Raj) 2357

IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN
KULDEEP MATHUR, J.
Raju Rebari @ Rameshwar Jadam - Petitioner
Versus
State Of Rajasthan and Ors. - Respondents
S.B. Criminal Misc(Pet.) No. 4071 of 2023.
Decided on : 03-08-2023

Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. Rajesh Choudhary, Advocate.
For the Respondents:Mr. Shrawan Kumar, PP, Mr. Hitendra Singh for Mr. Shambhu Singh Rathore, Advocates.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code - Section 376 - Criminal Procedure Code - Section 482 - Quashing of FIR - Parties settled their disputes and arrived at a compromise, recognized by the complainant and supported by an affidavit from the prosecutrix. The Court referenced the Supreme Court judgment in Prashant Bhartiya v. State of Delhi, which emphasized the quashing of FIRs when parties no longer wish to pursue prosecution due to amicable resolutions (Paras 5-6).

(B) Legal Principle - Courts have the inherent power to quash FIRs in cases of compromise, particularly in sexual offense cases where future litigation may not be desirable when parties reconcile their differences (Paras 6-9).

Facts of the case:
Petitioner sought to quash FIR for alleged offences under IPC due to parties reaching a compromise with the complainant's affidavit stating the desire not to continue litigation.

Findings of Court:
The Court acknowledged the compromise and pointed out that the decision aligns with established Supreme Court principles regarding the quashing of criminal proceedings in such scenarios.

Issues: Whether a FIR for sexual offences can be quashed upon mutual consent and compromise.

Ratio Decidendi: The court affirmed it is appropriate to exercise inherent powers to quash FIRs in instances where the complainant does not wish to pursue the prosecution and a compromise has been reached.

Result: Petition allowed; FIR and subsequent proceedings quashed.

Table of Content
1. compromise between parties results in dismissal (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. court's endorsement of authority to quash fir (Para 5 , 6)
3. invoking inherent powers under section 482 cr.p.c. (Para 7 , 8)
4. final quashing of fir and closure of proceedings (Para 9 , 10)

ORDER :

Mr. Kuldeep Mathur, J. - The instant criminal misc. petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed by the petitioner seeking quashing of the FIR No.313/2023 registered at Police Station Nathdwara, Rajsamand for the offence under Section 376 IPC.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the parties have settled their disputes and have arrived at a compromise.

3. Learned counsel for the complainant concurs the factum of compromise and submits that in view of the compromise, the complainant is not inclined to proceed further in the matter.

4. Attention of the Court was drawn towards an affidavit filed by the prosecutrix wherein, she has stated that she has decided to resolve the dispute amicably with the present petitioner in the spirit of Lok Adalat and does not wish to continue with the present litigation.

5. This Court is conscious of the judgment rendered by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the matter of Prashant Bhartiya v. 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."

6. 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 v. 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 account of

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