SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2024 Supreme(P&H) 668

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
ANOOP CHITKARA, J.
Tajinder Kumar – Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab & Anr. – Respondents
CRM-M-26552 of 2024 (O&M)
Decided On : 22-07-2024

Advocates Appeared:
Mr. Ruhani Chadha, Advocate; For the Petitioner
Mr. Sukhdev Singh, AAG, Punjab.
Mr. Keshav Chadha, Advocate and Mr. Prikshit Thakur, Advocate for Respondent no.2.

The High Court can quash FIRs for non-compoundable offences if a genuine compromise exists and public interest is not adversely affected.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 307, 323, 341, 427, 506 - Quashing of FIR - Compromise between accused and aggrieved persons - Court satisfied with genuineness of compromise, no coercion involved - Continuation of proceedings not serving ends of justice - FIR quashed. (Paras 5, 6, 27)

(B) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 482 - Inherent powers of High Court - Can quash non-compoundable offences if compromise is genuine and does not affect public interest - Guidelines established for quashing proceedings. (Paras 9, 12, 20)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner sought to quash FIR No. 194 dated 29.07.2018 under various IPC sections based on a compromise with the aggrieved person, who expressed no objection to the quashing. (Paras 1-3)

Findings of Court:
The Court found the compromise genuine, with no coercion, and that the continuation of proceedings would not serve justice. (Paras 5, 27)

Issues: Whether the FIR can be quashed based on a compromise in a case involving non-compoundable offences. (Paras 6, 9)

Ratio Decidendi: The Court held that the High Court can quash non-compoundable offences under Section 482 if the compromise is genuine and does not affect public interest, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic approach. (Paras 12, 20)

Result: Petition allowed; FIR quashed.

JUDGMENT

Mr. Anoop Chitkara, J. 

FIR No.

Dated

Police Station

Sections

194

29.7.2018

Gate Hakima, District Police Commissionerate Amritsar, Punjab.

323, 341, 427, 506 IPC (Sections 307 and 325 IPC added later on)

The petitioner(s), arraigned as accused in the above captioned FIR, has 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(s).

2. During the pendency of the criminal proceedings, the accused and the aggrieved person(s) have compromised the matter, and its copy is annexed with this petition as Annexure P-2.

3. After that, the petitioner(s) came up before this Court to quash the FIR, impleading the aggrieved persons as respondent no. 2.

4. Pursuant to order of this Court dated 24.5.2024, the aggrieved person(s) (R-2) appeared before the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Amritsar and stated that there would be no objection if the Court quashes this FIR and consequent proceedings. The report of concerned Court reads as follows:

Name of the reporting Court Additional District & Sessions Judge, Amritsar

Criminal Case no. before trial Court

--

1.

Names of the complainant/ victims(s)/ aggrieved persons(s)

Meenakshi alias Suhani

2.

Dates on which the statement(s) of the complainant/ victims(s)/ aggrieved persons(s) were recorded

28.5.2024

3.

Has the identity of the complainant/ victims(s)/ aggrieved persons(s) been verified?

Yes

4.

Whether all the victims/ all the aggrieved persons have compromised the matter?

Yes

5.

Is there pressure, threat, or coercion upon the victim(s)/aggrieved person(s)/complainant?

No

6.

Names of the accused person(s)

Tajinder Singh

7.

Dates on which the statement(s) of the accused persons(s) recorded

28.5.2024

8.

Whether all the accused have compromised the matter?

If no, then the names of the accused who have compromised. Yes. There is only one accused

9.

Whether proclamation proceedings are pending against any accused?

No

10.

Has the police report been filed or not?

Yes

11.

Notice of accusation /Charges have been framed or not?

Yes

12.

Sections of statutes invoked in the matter

307, 325, 323, 341, 427, 506 IPC

13.

Whether the court is satisfied with the genuineness of the compromise?

Yes

Analysis & Reasoning:

5. 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 307 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, (IPC) are not compoundable under Section 320 of Code of Crim

                                                                                                                      Click Here to Read the rest of this document
                                                                                                                      1
                                                                                                                      2
                                                                                                                      3
                                                                                                                      4
                                                                                                                      5
                                                                                                                      6
                                                                                                                      7
                                                                                                                      8
                                                                                                                      9
                                                                                                                      10
                                                                                                                      11
                                                                                                                      SupremeToday Portrait Ad
                                                                                                                      supreme today icon
                                                                                                                      logo-black

                                                                                                                      An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

                                                                                                                      Please visit our Training & Support
                                                                                                                      Center or Contact Us for assistance

                                                                                                                      qr

                                                                                                                      Scan Me!

                                                                                                                      India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

                                                                                                                      For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

                                                                                                                      whatsapp-icon Back to top