Satvir Singh And Others v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH DATE OF DECISION :- February 15, 2018 Satvir Singh and others

...Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others

...Respondents

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S. MADAAN Present:- Mr. Yagyaang Ajay, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Rakeshinder Singh Sidhu, AAG, Punjab.

Mr. Shvetanshu Goel, Advocate for Mr. Kanwaljyot Singh, Advocate for respondents no. 2 and 3.

*** Satvir Singh and others have brought the instant petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing of FIR No. 66 dated 13.4.2016, for offences under Sections 323, 32 and 34 IPC, registered at Police Station Basti Bawa Khel, District Jalandhar against them, alongwith consequential proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise, stated to have been effected between them and complainants Iqbal Singh and Gurdev Singh- arrayed as respondents no. 2 and 3.

When the petition came up for hearing on 9.1.2018, notice of motion was ordered to be issued. The respondent No. 1 - State of Punjab through State counsel, whereas respondents No.2 and 3 through Mr.Shvetanshu Goel, Advocate, had put in appearance. Then in light of the contention that parties have since effected compromise, they were directed to put in appearance before the trial Court to get their statements recorded with regard to compromise and the trial Court was directed to send a report to this

Court.

Report has been received from JMIC, Jalandhar, in terms of which complainants Iqbal Singh and others and accused, namely, Ajit Singh, Satvir Singh and Kulbir Singh, had appeared there and their statements were recorded, in terms of which they have admitted to have entered into a voluntary compromise, with free will, without any pressure, coercion or undue influence. Further complainants have stated that they have no objection if the FIR in question is quashed by this Court. There is nothing on record to doubt the genuineness of the compromise so arrived at between the parties. It has been reported that no accused has been declared proclaimed offender in the FIR in question. Alongwith the report statements of the complainants and all the accused, in original, have been annexed.

I have heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned State counsel, besides going through the record.

Keeping in view the fact that the dispute between the parties has been resolved amicably, which appears to have been arrived at between them voluntarily without any threat or coercion and in terms of ratio of the authority reported as Kulwinder Singh and others vs. State of Punjab and others 2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052, where in para 28, it has been held 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 Cr.P.C. 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".

Disputes which have their genesis in a matrimonial discord, landlord-tenant matters, commercial transactions and other such matters can safely be dealt with by the Court by exercising its powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. in the event of a compromise, but this is not to say that the power is limited to such cases. There can never be any such rigid rule to prescribe the exercise of such power, especially in the absence of any premonitions to forecast and predict eventualities which the cause of justice may throw up during the course of a litigation."

The compromise is in interest of peace and tranquility in the society and for such like reasons this Court can quash the FIR and ancillary proceedings exercising power under Section 482 Cr.P.C., it appears to be a fit case to exercise such powers.

Accordingly, the petition is allowed and the abovesaid FIR alongwith ancillary proceedings are hereby quashed. (H.S. MADAAN) JUDGE February 15, 2018 p.singh Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No