Arshiya And Others v. State Of Punjab And ANR.

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 12.04.2023 Arshiya and others .... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and another .... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR VERMA Present: - Mr. M.S. Nain and Ms. Harleen Ahluwalia, Advocates for the petitioners.

Mr. Jaspal Singh Guru, AAG, Punjab.

Mr. Abhay Gupta, Advocate for respondent No. 2. ASHOK KUMAR VERMA, J. (ORAL) The petitioners have filed the present petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., for quashing FIR No. 0128 dated 15.08.2022 (Annexure P-1) registered under Sections 380 and 120-B IPC at Police Station City Khanna and all the consequential proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise deed dated 27.01.2023 (Annexure P-4). Pursuant to the order dated 09.02.2023 passed by this Court, the parties appeared before the learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Khanna, to get their statements recorded. Learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Khanna, has submitted her report along with copies of statements of the parties vide letter No. 77 dated 28.02.2023 duly forwarded by the learned District and Sessions Judge, Ludhiana vide letter No. 338/G/EC dated 04.03.2023.

-2I have heard learned counsel for the parties 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 Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab and anr., 2012 (4) RAJ 549: Narinder Singh Vs. State of Punjab (Supreme Court) : 2014 (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.

-32007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052.

According to the report, learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Khanna, is satisfied that the compromise effected between the parties seems to be genuine, voluntary and without any pressure, threat, coercion or undue influence between complainant and accused. Considering the report of learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Khanna and the fact that the compromise will bring peace and harmony between the parties, aforesaid FIR No. 0128 dated 15.08.2022 (Annexure P-1) and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, are quashed, qua petitioners, only.

Disposed of, accordingly.

12.04.2023 (ASHOK KUMAR VERMA) rishu JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No