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2023 Supreme(P&H) 2467

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
ANOOP CHITKARA, J.
Jaspal Singh & Ors. – Petitioners
Versus
State of Punjab & Ors. – Respondents
CRM-M-44895 of 2022 (O&M)
Decided On : 18-01-2023

Advocates Appeared:
Mr. Kunwar Rajan Advocate; For the Petitioners
Mr. Virat Rana, AAG, Punjab.
Mr. Yadwinder Singh, Advocate for Respondents no.2 and 3.

Headnote:(A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 482 - Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 384, 511, 506, 120-B - Quashing of FIR - The Court exercised its inherent power to quash the FIR based on a valid compromise between the accused and complainants, finding no coercion involved in the settlement and no public interest affected (Paras 5, 6, 9-10).

(B) The Court reiterated that quashing of FIR is permissible even for non-compoundable offences in exceptional circumstances where compromise exists and is justifiable, securing the ends of justice (Paras 7, 9).

Facts of the case:
The petitioners and the aggrieved parties reached a compromise during the pendency of the proceedings, with clear consent from the complainants to quash the FIR and associated proceedings without coercion (Paras 2-3, 5).

Findings of Court:
The Court found no objection from the victims for quashing the FIR and that pursuing the prosecution would not serve any useful purpose, hence justifying the quashing (Paras 5, 12).

Issues: The main questions were whether the FIR and subsequent proceedings could be quashed given the compromise and the nature of the offences involved (Paras 4-6).

Ratio Decidendi: The Court held that even non-compoundable offences could be quashed under Section 482 CrPC, emphasizing that the focus is on the ends of justice and the peculiar facts of each case (Paras 7, 9).

Result: Petition allowed.

Table of Content
1. factual background of the fir and compromise (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. court's reasoning on quashing fir (Para 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12)
3. final order on quashing the fir (Para 13)

JUDGMENT

Anoop Chitkara, J.

FIR No.

Dated

Police Station

Sections

211

8.11.2018

City Malout, District Sri Muktsar Sahib

384, 511, 506, 120-B IPC

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 persons.

2. During the pendency of the petition, the accused and the aggrieved persons have compromised the matter, and its copy is annexed with this petition as Annexure P-3.

3. After that, the petitioners came up before this Court to quash the FIR, and in the quashing petition, impleading the aggrieved persons as respondent no.2 and 3.

4. On 10.11.2022, the victims/complainant(s), respondent no.2 - Raj Kumar (Complainant) and respondent no.3-Rajinder Kumar @ Raju (aggrieved), stated before JMIC, Malout that they have no objection if the Court quashes this FIR and consequent proceedings arising therefrom. As per the concerned Court's report dated 16.11.2022, the parties consented to the quashing of FIR and consequent proceedings arising therefrom without any threat.

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 384 and 511 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 quash the prosecution under Section 482 Criminal Procedure Code on the other. While a Court trying an accused or hearing an appeal against conviction, may not be competent to permit compounding of an

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