Quashing of FIR based on a compromise between the parties is justified when it would secure the ends of justice and prevent abuse of the process of the Court.

JUDGMENT

Rajesh Bhardwaj, J (Oral). - Instant petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. praying for quashing of FIR No.1 dated 6.1.2018 under Sections 406 and 498-A IPC registered at Police Station, Police Commissionerate Ludhiana, District Ludhiana and all the subsequent proceedings arising therefrom on the basis of the compromise dated 19.1.2022 (Annexure P-2).

2. FIR in question was got registered by complainant-respondent No.2 and the investigation commenced thereon. However, with the intervention of respectables, finally the parties arrived at settlement and they resolved their inter se dispute, which is apparent from the compromise.

3. On the basis of the same, the petitioners are invoking the inherent power of this Court by praying that continuation of these proceedings would be a futile exercise and an abuse of process of the Court and thus, the FIR in question and all the subsequent proceedings arising therefrom may be quashed in the interest of justice.

4. This Court vide orders dated 24.2.2022 directed the parties to appear before the Illaqa Magistrate/Duty Magistrate for recording their statements, as contended before the Court, and the Illaqa Magistrate/ Duty Magistrate was also directed to send its report.

5. In pursuance to the same, learned JMIC, Ludhiana sent his report dated 31.3.2022 to this Court. With the report he has also annexed the original statements of complainant Preeti Verma and joint statement of petitioners Kulbhushan Bagga and Madhu Bagga recorded on 24.3.2022 along with statement of ASI Vipan Kumar recorded on 30.3.2022. On the basis of the statements, learned JMIC, Ludhiana has concluded in the report that it appears that the parties have entered into a compromise voluntarily and that there is no other accused in the present case and accused have not been declared Proclaimed Offender.

6. I have heard learned counsel for the parties, perused the record and the report sent by learned JMIC, Ludhiana.

7. A bare perusal of statutory provision of the 482 Cr.P.C. would show that the High Court may make such orders, as may be necessary to give effect to any order under this Code or to prevent abuse of the process of any Court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. Section 320 Cr.P.C. is equally relevant for consideration, which prescribes the procedure for compounding of the offences under the Indian Penal Code.

8. Keeping in view the nature of offences allegedly committed and the fact that both the parties have amicably settled their dispute, the continuation of criminal prosecution would be a futile exercise. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in a number of cases including Narinder Singh and others Versus State of Punjab and another, 2014 (6) SCC 466; B.S.Joshi and others vs State of Haryana and another (2003) 4 Supreme Court Cases 675 followed by this Court in Full Bench case of Kulwinder Singh and others Vs. State of Punjab and another, 2007(3) RCR 1052 have dealt with the proposition involved in the present case and settled the law.

9. Thereafter, Hon'ble Supreme Court in Gian Singh vs State of Punjab and another (2012) 10 Supreme Court Cases 303 further dealt with the issue and the earlier law settled by the Supreme Court for quashing of the FIR in State of Haryana vs Bhajan Lal, 1992 Supp (1) SCC 335. Para 61 of the judgment reads as under:-

'61. The position that emerges from the above discussion can be summarised thus: the power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz; (i) to secure the ends of justice, or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any Court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R may be exercised where th