Rishi Kant And ORS v. State Of Punjab And ANR
-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Misc. No. M- 40342 of 2017(O&M) Date of Decision: March 01 , 2018.
Rishi Kant and others ...... PETITIONER(s)
Versus
State of Punjab and another ...... RESPONDENT (s) CORAM:- HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE LISA GILL
Present:
Mr. Abinashi Singh, Advocate for the petitioners.
Ms. Seena Mand, DAG, Punjab.
None for respondent No.2.
***** LISA GILL, J.
Prayer in this petition is for quashing of FIR No.0004 dated 06.01.2017 under Sections 406/498A IPC, registered at Police Station Women, Patiala and all other consequential proceedings arising therefrom on the basis of a compromise arrived at between the parties.
The abovesaid FIR was registered at the instance of respondent No.2 due to matrimonial discord with her husband i.e., petitioner No.1. With the intervention of respectables and relatives, a compromise was arrived at between the parties, the terms of which were reduced into writing on 12.02.2017 (Annexure P2). Petitioner No.1 and respondent No.2 decided to part ways.
-2It is informed that petition under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 filed by petitioner No.1 and respondent No.2 has since been allowed on 20.11.2017. The entire settled amount has been received by respondent No.2. This Court on 30.10.2017 directed the parties to appear before learned trial court/Illaqa Magistrate for recording their statements in respect to the above-mentioned compromise. Learned trial court/Illaqa Magistrate was directed to submit a report regarding the genuineness of the compromise, as to whether it has been arrived at out of the free will and volition of the parties without any coercion, fear or undue influence. Learned trial court/Illaqa Magistrate was also directed to intimate whether any of the petitioners are absconding/proclaimed offenders and whether any other case is pending against them. Information was sought as to whether all affected persons are a party to the settlement.
Pursuant to order dated 30.10.2017, the parties appeared before the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Patiala and their statements were recorded on 20.11.2017. Respondent No.2 stated that the matter has been amicably resolved by her with all the petitioners out of her own free will without any pressure, threat or coercion. Respondent No.2 stated that she has no objection in case the abovesaid FIR against the accused petitioners is quashed. Joint statement of the petitioners in respect to the settlement was recorded as well. As per report dated 21.11.2017 received from the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Patiala, satisfaction is expressed that the compromise between the parties is genuine, executed between the parties out of their own free will and consent without any threat or pressure. None of the petitioners are
-3reported to be proclaimed offenders. Statements of the parties are appended alongwith the said report.
Mr. Deepak Nayar, Advocate had appeared on behalf of respondent No.2 before this Court on 10.01.2018 and 01.02.2018. He did not deny the factum of settlement between the parties.
Learned counsel for the State submits that as the abovesaid FIR arises out of a matrimonial dispute, the State has no objection to the quashing of the FIR in question as well as all consequential proceedings on the basis of a settlement arrived at between the parties.
In Kulwinder Singh and others versus State of Punjab and another 2007 (3) R.C.R. (Criminal) 1052, a five member Bench of this Court has observed as under:- "The compromise, in a modern society, is the sine qua non of harmony and orderly behaviour. It is the soul of justice and if the power under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code is used to enhance such a compromise which, in turn, enhances the social amity and reduces friction, then it truly is "finest hour of justice". The Hon'ble Supreme Court in B.S.Joshi and others v. State of Haryana, 2003(4) SCC 675 has observed that it becomes the duty of the Court to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of this case, it would be in the interest of justice to quash the abovesaid FIR as no useful purpose would be served by continuance of the present proceedings. It will merely lead to wastage of precious time of the court and would be an exercise in futility. This petition is, thus, allowed and FIR No.0004 dated 06.01.2017
-4under Sections 406/498A IPC, registered at Police Station Women, Patiala alongwith all consequential proceedings are, hereby, quashed. ( LISA GILL ) March 01 , 2018.
JUDGE 'om'
Whether speaking/reasoned:
Yes/No Whether reportable:
Yes/No