The High Court has the inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to quash criminal proceedings based on a compromise to secure the ends of justice and prevent abuse of the process of Court.

JUDGMENT

Vikas Bahl, J. (Oral). - This is a petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing of FIR No. 36 dated 17.02.2021 registered under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 registered at Police Station Civil Lines, District Police Commissionerate Amritsar, Amritsar (Annexure P-l) and all subsequent proceedings arising there from on the basis of the compromise dated 19.07.2021 (Annexure P-2).

2. When the matter came up before a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court on 30.07.2021, the following order was passed:-

"This is a petition for quashing of F.I.R. on the basis of compromise said to have been arrived between petitioner accused Jasbir Singh and respondent No. 2 complainant Inwinder Singh Sethi @ Inwinder Singh. It is stated that on completion of investigation challan in this case has been filed in the Court.

Notice of motion.

Mr. J.S. Ghuman, DAG, Punjab has accepted notice on behalf of State of Punjab and Mr. Parshant Vashisht, Advocate has appeared on behalf of the complainant respondent No. 2 by filing vakalatnama, which be taken on record. He admits the factum of compromise having taken place between petitioner and respondent No.2 complainant.

Under the circumstances, the parties are directed to appear before trial Court within one month from today, so as to get their statements recorded regarding compromise. The trial Court is to report whether the compromise has been entered into voluntarily, without any threat or coercion and the same is genuine. It be also intimated whether any of the parties has been declared proclaimed offender. Report in that regard be sent to this Court by next date of hearing.

Adjourned to 30.9.2021. "

3. In pursuance of the said order, a report has been submitted by the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Amritsar to the Registrar General of this Court. The relevant portion of the said report is reproduced hereinbelow:-

"3. As per the statements suffered by both the parties it appears that the parties have entered into a genuine compromise as per their free will and without any threat or coercion.

4. Further as stated by the Investigating Officer, none of the accused in this case has been declared as a proclaimed offender. The compromise effected between the parties is genuine. Hence, proper compromise has been made of the order of Hon'ble High Court Punjab & Haryana as stated above. The requisite report is presented in this regard for kind perusal of your good self and for further proceedings. Submitted please."

4. A perusal of the said report would show that it has been stated that the statements of the complainant as well as the accused have been recorded in the case and both have stated that the matter has been compromised and they have no objection in case the FIR is quashed. It is further stated that the statement of the complainant has been made voluntarily without any fear, coercion or pressure.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner was not declared proclaimed offender in the present case.

6. Learned counsel for the State, as per instructions, has stated that this fact is correct.

7. Learned counsel for respondent No. 2-complainant has again reiterated that the matter has been settled and the said compromise is in the interest of all the persons and would help in bringing out peace and amity between the two parties.

8. As per the Full Bench judgment of this Court in "Kulwinder Singh and others Vs State of Punjab", 2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052, it is held that High Court has power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to allow the compounding of non-compoundable offence and quash the prosecution where the High Court feel that the same was required to prevent the abuse of the process of law or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. This power of quashing is not confined to matrimonial disputes alone.

9. Hon'ble the Apex Court in the case of "Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab and another", 2012 (4) RCR (Criminal) 543, had also observed that in order to secure the e