Jarnail Singh And ORS v. State Of Punjab And ANR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 21.09.2022 Jarnail Singh and others .... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others .... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR VERMA Present: - Mr. Randeep Singh, Advocate, for the petitioners. Mr. Hakam Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab. Mr. Hardeep Singh, Advocate, for respondent No.2 & 3. ASHOK KUMAR VERMA, J. (ORAL) The petitioners have filed the present petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., for quashing FIR No.24 dated 09.02.2015 registered under Sections 307, 341, 323, 427, 506, 148, 149 IPC (Sections 307 IPC has been deleted during investigation) at Police Station Rajpura City on the basis of compromise dated 10.09.2021 (Annexure P-2). Pursuant to the order dated 04.10.2021 passed by a coordinate Bench of this Court, the parties appeared before the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Rajpura, to get their statements recorded. Learned Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Rajpura, has submitted his report along with statements of the parties vide letter No.38 dated 06.01.2022 duly forwarded by the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala, vide letter No.208/AL dated 07.01.2022.

I have heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned State

-2counsel and learned counsel for respondents No.2 & 3 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. State of Punjab (Supreme Court) : 2014 (2) RCR (Criminal) 482, State of Madhya Pradesh Vs.

-3and 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 Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Rajpura, is satisfied that the parties arrived at compromise with their free volition, without any pressure, threat, coercion or undue influence from any quarter.

Considering the report of learned Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Rajpura dated 06.01.2022 and the fact that the compromise will bring peace and harmony between the parties, aforesaid FIR No.24 dated 09.02.2015 and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, are quashed, qua the petitioners only.

Disposed of, accordingly.

September 21, 2022 (ASHOK KUMAR VERMA) R.S.

JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No