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2023 Supreme(P&H) 1881

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
Anoop Chitkara, J.
Karamjeet Singh & Ors. – Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab & Anr. – Respondents
CRM-M No.44282 of 2022
Decided On : 06-02-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Mr.Mandeep Dhaliwal, for Mr.Lajpal Rai Sharma
For the Respondent: Mr.Aditya Kapoor, AAG, Mr.Amit Kumar Waga

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 506, 148 - Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 482 - Quashing of FIR - Parties entered into a compromise, permitting petitioners to quash FIR despite opposition by the State - Court ruled that the compromise was not secured through coercion and continued trial would serve no purpose - Judicial precedents cited to support the quashing of proceedings even against non-compoundable offences under inherent jurisdiction of the Court. (Paras 5, 6, 12, 13)

Facts of the case:
Accused petitioners sought quashing of FIR based on compromise with the aggrieved person, who expressed no objection to the quashing during statements recorded in court.

Findings of Court:
FIR quashed due to amicable settlement and absence of public interest harm; inherent powers exercised to secure ends of justice.

Issues: The core issue was whether a High Court could quash non-compoundable offences based on a private settlement.

Ratio Decidendi: The court highlighted that the exercise of inherent powers is justified when it aligns with the interests of justice, emphasizing that not all non-compoundable offences are irredeemable in the context of a compromise. (Paras 7, 12)

Result: Petition allowed in terms mentioned.

Table of Content
1. fir quashing based on compromise. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. details of compromise support quashing petition. (Para 5)
3. non-compoundable offences can be quashed under specific conditions. (Para 6 , 7 , 8 , 9)
4. judicial precedents guide quashing decisions. (Para 10 , 11 , 12)
5. court quashes fir and discharges bail bonds. (Para 13)

JUDGMENT :

Anoop Chitkara, J.

FIR No. Dated Police Station Sections District

076 06.07.2021 City II, Malerkotla, 341, 323, 506, 148, 149 IPC Malerkotla

The petitioners, arraigned as accused in the above captioned FIR, have come up before this Court under Section 482 CrPC for quashing of the FIR and all consequential proceedings based on the compromise with the aggrieved person.

2. During the pendency of the petition, the accused and the aggrieved person have compromised the matter, and its copy is annexed with this petition as Annexure P2.

3. After that, the petitioners came up before this Court to quash the FIR, and in the quashing petition, impleading the aggrieved person as respondent(s).

4. On the prayer of the parties, the Court had permitted the parties to appear before the concerned Court to record their statements.

ANALYSIS & REASONING:

5. As per the report dated 12.10.2022 of the SDJM, Malerkotla, the parties have entered into out of Court compromise out of their own free will and statements of the complainants/injured have also been recorded on oath in which they stated that they had compromise the matter and no objection if the FIR is quashed. They further stated that they have no grievance against the accused persons.

5. A Despite the severe opposition of the State's counsel to this compromise, the following aspects would be relevant to conclude this petition:-

a) The accused and the private respondent have amicably settled the matter between them in terms of the compromise deed and the statements recorded before the concerned Court;

b) A perusal of the documents reveal that the settlement has not been secured through coercion, threats, social boycotts, bribes, or other dubious means;

c) The aggrieved person has willingly consented to the nullification of criminal proceedings;

d) There is no objection from the private respondent in case present FIR and consequent proceedings are quashed;

e) In the given facts, the occurrence does not affect public peace or tranquillity, moral turpitude or harm the social and moral fabric of the society or involve matters concerning public policy;

f) The rejection of compromise may also lead to ill will. The pendency of trial affects career and happiness;

g) There is nothing on the record to prima facie consider the accused as an unscrupulous, incorrigible, or professional offender;

h) The purpose of criminal jurisprudence is reformatory in nature and to work to bring peace to family, community, and society;

i) The exercise of the inherent power for quashing FIR and all consequential proceedings is justified to secure the ends of justice.

6. In the present case, the offences under sections 506 and 148 of INDIAN PENAL CODE , 1860, (IPC) are not compoundable under Section 320 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). However, in the facts and circumstances peculiar to this case, the prosecution qua the non-compoundable offences can be closed by quashing the FIR and consequent proceedings.

7. In Shiji @ Pappu v. Radhika , 2011(10) SCC 705 , Hon'ble Supreme Court holds,

13 . It is manifest that simply because an offence is not compoundable under Section 320 Indian Penal Code is by itself no reason for the High Court to refuse exercise of its power under Section 482 Criminal Procedure Code That power can in our opinion be exercised in cases where there is no chance of recording a conviction against the accused and the entire exercise of a trial is destined to be an exercise in futility. There is a subtle distinction between compounding of offences by the parties before the trial Court or in appeal on one hand and the exercise of power by the High Court to

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