Anjani Jha S/O Jai Krishna Jha And ANR v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

Digitally signed by DINESH SADANAND SHERLA Date:

2023.12.22 18:38:57 +0500 DINESH SADANAND SHERLA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO. 3691 OF 2023 1.

Anjani Jha s/o. Jai Krishna Jha 2.

Pooja Jha w/o. Anjani Jha

...Petitioners

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Anr.

...Respondents

Ms Reshma Kurle for the Petitioners.

Ms M.M. Deshmukh, APP for the Respondent/State. Mr. Robin Thomas for Respondent No.2.

PI Mr. Shirke, Versova Police Station.

Ms Muskaan Sharma d/o. Kuwar Pal Sharma, Respondent No.2 is present.

CORAM

:

NITIN W. SAMBRE & N. R. BORKAR, JJ.

DATE :

08 NOVEMBER,2023.

PC:- 1.

The present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is fled to quash the First Information Report No.454 of 2023 dated 1 September 2023 registered at Versova Police Station, Mumbai for the ofences punishable under Sections 354(D), 509, 506, 500 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66(E), 67 and 67(A) of Information Technology Act. 2.

The aforesaid crime came to registered against the petitioners at the instance of respondent No.2. The allegations against the petitioners, inter alia, are of outraging the modesty of the respondent No.2.

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3.

The quashing of FIR is sought on the ground that there has been an amicable settlement between the parties, who are relatives and thus respondent No.2 is no longer desirous of prosecuting the case in question.

4.

The learned counsel for the parties submit that the parties have amicably settled their disputes. It is submitted that no purpose would be served by keeping the prosecution alive, in view of the settlement arrived at between the parties. The learned counsel for the parties submit that the present case is squarely covered by the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Narinder Singh and ors vs. State of Punjab and anr 1 .

5.

The respondent No.2, who is identifed by her Advocate Mr. Robin Thomas is present in the Court through V.C.. She confrms about the settlement arrived at with the petitioners, and the contents of the afdavit dated 5 October 2023 fled by her, wherein she has stated that she has no objection if the criminal case in question against the petitioner is quashed. 6.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court in Narinder Singh (supra) has held :

" 29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down the following principles by which the High Court would be guided in giving adequate treatment to the settlement between the parties and exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with (2014) 6 SCC 466 2/4

direction to continue with the criminal proceedings: 29.1. Power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the ofences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution.

29.2. When the parties have reached the settlement and on that basis petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is fled, the guiding factor in such cases would be to secure:

(i) ends of justice, or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court.

While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives. 29.3. Such a power is not be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious ofences of mental depravity or ofences liee murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such ofences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, for ofences alleged to have been committed under special statute liee the Prevention of Corruption Act or the ofences committed by public servants while woreing in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the ofender.

29.4. On the other, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves. 29.5. While exercising its powers, the High Court is to examine as to whether the possibility of conviction is remote and bleae and continuation of criminal cases would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal cases."

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7.

Admittedly, the parties are relatives. The petitioner No.1 and respondent No.2 were in relationship. In view of the settlement, the respondent No.2 is not going to support the prosecution case against the petitioners and therefore, possibility of their conviction is remote and bleak. Considering these facts and circumstances, the Petition deserves to be allowed and the same is allowed in terms of prayer clause (b), subject to payment of cost of Rs.25,000/- by each petitioner to the "Association of Parents of Mentally Retarded Children, Account No. 00000010884930648, Bank Name : State Bank of India, IFSC Code: SBIN0009056" within ten weeks from today and the receipt of payment of cost shall be produced with the Registry, failing which the order of quashing the criminal proceedings shall stand recalled. 8.

The Petition is disposed of.

(N.R. BORKAR, J.) (NITIN W. SAMBRE, J.) 4/4