Point of Law- Quash of criminal proceedings - Compounding of offences - where there is a genuine compromise and there is hardly any likelihood of the offender being convicted and continuance of the proceedings, after the compromise having been arrived at between the parties, would be a futile exercise, the compromise should be accepted.

JUDGMENT :

This criminal misc. application has been filed by the applicants to quash the impugned charge-sheet; summoning order as well as the entire proceedings of Criminal Case No. 725 of 2021 (Case Crime No. 501/2020), “State v. Sultan & others”, under Sections 308, 323, 324 & 506 IPC, pending in the Court of learned ACJ (SD)/ACJM, Roorkee, District Haridwar.

2. Now, parties have filed the joint compounding application stating therein that they have entered into compromise and amicably settled their dispute and now the respondent nos. 2 to 4 do not has any grievance with the applicants. In support of compounding application, (IA No. 1/2021), affidavits have been filed by the applicants and respondent nos. 2 to 4.

3. On 05.07.2021, parties were present before this Court through Video Conferencing, duly identified by their respective counsels. They admitted the settlement.

4. Compounding application bears the signatures/thumb impressions of the applicants and respondent nos. 2 to 4. It has been further stated by the parties that now they have amicably settled their dispute. Therefore, learned Counsel for the parties have submitted that the entire proceedings be quashed in terms of the compromise.

5. Learned State Counsel although opposed the compounding application on the ground that Section 308 IPC is non-compoundable but admit the fact that the nature of injury is simple in nature and caused by hard and blunt object.

6. Learned counsel for the accused applicants contended that the injury is simple in nature and not dangerous to life. Learned counsel for the applicant placed reliance on a recent judgment of Hon’ble Apex Court in State of Madhya Pradesh v. Laxmi Narayan, (2019) 5 SCC 688, wherein it has been observed as under:

“Offences under Section 307 IPC would fall in the category of heinous and serious offences and therefore are to be generally treated as crime against the society and not against the individual alone. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely because there is a mention of Section 307 IPC in the FIR or the charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the High Court to examine as to whether incorporation of Section 307 IPC is there for the sake of it or the prosecution has collected sufficient evidence, which if proved, would lead to proving the charge under Section 307 IPC. For this purpose, it would be open to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether such injury is inflicted on the vital/delicate parts of the body, nature of weapons used, etc. Medical report in respect of injuries suffered by the victim can generally be the guiding factor. On the basis of this prima facie analysis, the High Court can examine as to whether there is a strong possibility of conviction or the chances of conviction are remote and bleak. In the former case it can refuse to accept the settlement and quash the criminal proceedings whereas in the latter case it would be permissible for the High Court to accept the plea compounding the offence based on complete settlement between the parties. At this stage, the Court can also be swayed by the fact that the settlement between the parties is going to result in harmony between them which may improve their future relationship.”

7. Needless to say, non-compoundable offences cannot be compounded. But considering the fact that the injury is simple in nature, above authority of the Hon’ble Apex Court and also the proposition of law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court in Nikhil Merchant v. C.B.I. & Ors, (2008) 9 SCC 677; B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana & Anr. reported in (2003) 4 SCC 675, and in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Another, (2012) 10 SCC 303, where there is a genuine compromise and there is hardly any likelihood of the offender being convicted and continuance of the proceedings, after the compromise having been arrived at between the parties, would be a futile exercise, the compromise should be accepted.

8. Considering the facts and