Mr. Surinder Singh v. State Of Punjab And ANR.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-30629-2024 Date of decision: June 27th, 2024 Mr. Surinder Singh .....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and another .....Respondents

CORAM:

HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL

Present:

Mr. Praveen Kumar Bhatia, Advocate for the petitioner.

MANJARI NEHRU KAUL , J. (ORAL) The instant petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing of FIR No.338 dated 01.09.2023 under Section 174-A of the IPC registered at Police Station Sohana, S.A.S. Nagar, and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom. 2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner, at the outset, has drawn the attention of this Court to order dated 09.12.2023 (Annexure P-5), wherein it stands reflected that in view of a statement made by the learned counsel for the complainant, the complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short, 'the NI Act') was dismissed as withdrawn on the basis of a compromise. A prayer, therefore, has been made that in the aforementioned facts and circumstances, no purpose would be served by prosecuting the petitioner under Section 174-A IPC. In support of his submissions, learned counsel has placed reliance upon the judgment of this Court in Sher Singh vs. State of Haryana (CRM-M-11846-2023) decided on 09.03.2023 wherein in identical facts and circumstances, the FIR registered under Section 174-A of the IPC against the petitioner was PUNEET SACHDEVA 2024.06.27 11:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

CRM-M-30629-2024 -2quashed.

3.

Notice of motion.

4.

On asking of the Court, Mr. Siddarth Sandhu.

Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent No.1-State.

5.

Learned State counsel has opposed the prayer made by the counsel opposite and contended that it was evident that the petitioner had intentionally not appeared during the proceedings before the Court below and hence, the prayer of the petitioner deserved to be declined. 6.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the relevant material on record.

7.

The petitioner was declared a proclaimed person in a complaint case under Section 138 of the NI Act. Admittedly, the said complaint was withdrawn after the parties arrived at a compromise. Hence, continuation of criminal proceedings for offence under Section 174-A of the IPC would serve no useful purpose. 8.

Accordingly, the present petition is allowed and FIR registered under Section 174-A of the IPC and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashed.

June 27th, 2024 (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) Puneet JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes Whether reportable :

No PUNEET SACHDEVA 2024.06.27 11:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh