Jaswinder Singh v. State Of Punjab And Another

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

Date of Decision: 24.08.2022 Jaswinder Singh .... Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and another .... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR VERMA Present: - Mr. K.B.S. Mann, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Vinay Kumar Gupta, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab.

Mr. Paraspreet Singh, Advocate for Mr. P.P.S. Brar, Advocate for respondent No. 2. ASHOK KUMAR VERMA, J. (ORAL) The petitioner has filed the present petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., for quashing FIR No. 73 dated 26.05.2019 (Annexure P-1), registered under Sections 295-A and 506 IPC at Police Station Kot Bhai, District Sri Muktsar Sahib and all the consequential proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise dated 04.01.2021 (Annexure P-2) effected between the parties.

Pursuant to the order dated 31.03.2021 passed by a co-ordinate Bench of this Court, the parties appeared before the learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Gidderbaha, to get their statements recorded. Learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Gidderbaha, submitted his report along with statements of the parties vide letter No. 225 dated

-204.05.2021 duly forwarded by learned District and Sessions Judge, Sri Muktsar Sahib, vide letter No. 705/EB dated 06.05.2021. I have heard learned Counsel for the petitioner, learned State Counsel and learned Counsel for respondent No. 2 and gone through the relevant record.

It is now well settled that the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings in non-compoundable cases on the basis of settlement between the parties for securing the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process where the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of the criminal case would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal case. Criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character particularly those arising out of commercial transaction or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family dispute can be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire dispute among themselves.

However, such power cannot be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape dacoity, etc. which are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, prosecution for offences alleged to have been committed under special enactments like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servant while working in that capacity cannot be quashed on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender. For judicial precedents in this regard, reference may be made to Narinder Singh Vs.

-32014 (2) RCR (Criminal) 482, State of Madhya Pradesh Vs. Laxmi Narayan and others (Supreme Court) : 2019 (2) RCR (Criminal) 255 and Kulwinder Singh and others Vs. State of Punjab and others (Punjab and Haryana High Court) : 2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052. According to the report, learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Gidderbaha, is satisfied that the compromise effected between the parties is genuine, voluntarily and without any coercion or undue influence.

Considering the report of learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Gidderbaha, dated 04.05.2021 and the fact that the compromise will bring peace and harmony between the parties, aforesaid FIR No. 73 dated 26.05.2019 (Annexure P-1) and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, are quashed, qua the petitioner only. Disposed of, accordingly August 24, 2022 (ASHOK KUMAR VERMA) rishu JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No