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2023 Supreme(P&H) 2469

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
ANOOP CHITKARA, J.
Mandeep Kumar @ Mani & Ors. – Petitioners
Versus
State of Punjab & Anr. – Respondents
CRM-M NO. 22675 of 2022
Decided On : 19-05-2023

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Ms. Ramandeep Kaur, Advocate. for Mr. Varinder Basa, Advocate
Mr. Virat Rana, AAG, Punjab.
Mr. Yaseen Sethi, Advocate for Respondent No.2.

Headnote:(A) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 482 - Quashing of FIR - Accused and aggrieved person compromised; consent of aggrieved person to quash proceedings noted - Compromise not due to coercion or threats - Inherent powers of the High Court under Section 482 may be exercised even for non-compoundable offenses if it serves the ends of justice and prevents abuse of process. (Paras 6 and 9)

(B) Judicial Precedents - The principle from Shiji @ Pappu v. Radhika reinforces that the High Court's inherent powers can be exercised to quash prosecutions when settlement is evident, irrespective of compounding rules under Section 320. (Paras 7 and 9)

(C) Societal Impact - The Court recognizes that quashing proceedings for non-heinous offences with private nature does not significantly impact public interest, supporting the view that criminal justice seeks peace and rehabilitation where feasible. (Paras 9 and 10)

Facts of the case:
Petitioners, accused in FIR for offences including non-compoundable sections, sought quashing following compromise with the victim who consented to discontinuation of proceedings, noting no public interest harm.

Findings of Court:
FIR and subsequent proceedings quashed based on compromise, highlighting the judicial approach to uphold justice and prevent the misuse of the legal process.

Issues: Main issues included validity and implications of the FIR after the compromise, and the appropriate exercise of High Court's powers for quashing non-compoundable offences.

Ratio Decidendi: Court emphasized the inherent power under Section 482 CrPC to quash prosecutions where settlement prevents harm to the justice system, distinguishing between compoundable and non-compoundable offences.

Result: Petition allowed.

Table of Content
1. compromise established between parties (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. court observes validity and implications of compromise (Para 5 , 6 , 7 , 8)
3. criteria for quashing fir in non-compoundable cases (Para 9 , 10 , 11)
4. court quashes fir based on inherent jurisdiction (Para 12 , 13)

JUDGMENT

Mr. Anoop Chitkara, J.

FIR No.

Dated

Police Station

Sections

51

11.06.2019

DeraBaba Nanak, District Batala, Gurdaspur, Punjab

323, 324, 341, 148, 149 IPC ( Section 326 IPC added later on)

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 P-2.

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.

4. On 26.05.2022, the aggrieved person-Simratpal Singh @ Simrat Singh (respondent No.2) appeared before the learned JMIC, Batala and stated that there would be no objection if the court quashes this FIR and consequent proceedings. As per the concerned court's report dated 02.06.2022, the parties consented to the quashing of FIR and consequent proceedings 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, m(Oral) turpitude or harm the social and m(Oral) 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 326, 324, 148 & 149IPC 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 he

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