Gagandeep Singh And ANR. v. State Of Punjab And Others
-2023:PHHC:148204IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) Date of Decision: 21.11.2023 GAGANDEEP SINGH AND ANOTHER .... Petitioners
VERSUS
STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS .... Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ALKA SARIN Present :
Ms. Gagandeep Kaur, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Harjinder Singh Sidhu, AAG Punjab for respondent No.1. Mr. R.S. Dhillon, Advocate for respondents No.2 and 3. ALKA SARIN, J. (ORAL) 1.
The present petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for quashing of FIR No.247 dated 06.12.2022 under Sections 363, 366-A, 365, 343, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 registered at Police Station City Malerkotla-I, District Malerkotla, along with all the subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise dated 25.03.2023 (Annexure P-2). 2.
On 10.08.2023 the following order was passed : "The present petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for quashing of FIR No.247 dated 06.12.2022 under Sections 363, 366A, 365, 343, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 registered at Police Station City Malerkotla-1, District Malerkotla, and all other consequential proceedings
299 CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) -2- arising there-from on the ground that the parties have since compromised the matter vide compromise deed dated 25.03.2023 (Annexure P-2).
Learned counsel for the petitioners would contend that a compromise has been entered into between the complainant, victim and the petitioners and it has been stated in the compromise that she was never abducted, kidnapped or induced for marriage and that she has left the house after a quarrel and due to a misunderstanding the present FIR was got registered. Learned counsel for the petitioners has relied upon the judgment by the Hon'ble Supreme Court rendered in "Gian Singh V/s State of Punjab &Anr." [2012 (10) SCC 303] and the Larger Bench's judgment of this Court in "Kulwinder Singh & Ors. Vs. State of Punjab &Anr." [2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052].
Notice of motion.
On the asking of the Court, Mr. Adhiraj Singh, AAG Punjab accepts notice on behalf of respondent No.1State. Mr. R.S. Dhillon, Advocate accepts notice for respondent Nos.2 and 3. Copy of the petition has already been supplied to both the counsel.
Learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Kulwinder Singh has stated that in the present case
299 CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) -3there are no allegations of molestation or assault and infact the victim has stated that she had left the house on her own accord. She was neither kidnapped nor abducted.
Learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos.2 and 3 states that the matter has been settled between the parties and that respondent Nos.2 and 3 have no objection if the aforesaid FIR is quashed.
List on 21.11.2023.
Meanwhile, the parties are directed to appear before the concerned CJM/Illaqa Magistrate/Trial Court on 11.09.2023 or on any other date convenient to the Court, for recording of their statements. The CJM/Illaqa Magistrate/Trial Court is directed to record the statements of the parties to its satisfaction qua the genuineness of the compromise and that the same is not the result of any undue influence, coercion or pressure of any kind. A report, along-with the statements of the parties, on the following points be sent to this Court before the next date of hearing :
1) Whether the settlement/compromise dated 25.03.2023 (Annexure P-2) has been freely entered into between the parties without any undue influence, coercion or pressure of any kind.
299 CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) -42) Whether any other criminal cases are pending against the parties.
3) Whether any proclamation proceedings are pending against either of the parties."
3.
Pursuant to the order dated 10.08.2023, a report dated 28.09.2023 of the learned Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Malerkotla has been received by this Court wherein it has been stated that the statements of the parties have been recorded and the parties have stated that they have compromised the matter voluntarily without any threat, pressure, undue influence or fraud and that the complainant has no objection to the quashing of the present FIR. Statements of the parties have also been appended with the report.
4.
The Apex Court in the case of Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab &Anr. [2012 (10) SCC 303] has held as under : "57. The position that emerges from the above discussion can be summarised thus: the power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz; (i) to secure the ends of justice or (ii) to prevent abuse of the
299 CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) -5process of any Court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R may be exercised where the offender and victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim's family and the offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private in nature and have serious impact on society.
Similarly, any compromise between the victim and offender in relation to the offences under special statutes like Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity etc; cannot provide for any basis for quashing criminal proceedings involving such offences.
299 CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) -6relating to dowry, etc. or the family disputes where the wrong is basically private or personal in nature and the parties have resolved their entire dispute. In this category of cases, High Court may quash criminal proceedings if in its view, because of the compromise between the offender and victim, the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal case would put accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal case despite full and complete settlement and compromise with the victim.
In other words, the High Court must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest of justice to continue with the criminal proceeding or continuation of the criminal proceeding would tantamount to abuse of process of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim and wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is appropriate that criminal case is put to an end and if the answer to the above question(s) is in affirmative, the High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceeding."
5.
Learned counsel for the petitioners has also referred to the law laid down by this Court in Kulwinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab &Anr. [2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052] wherein it has been held that even
299 CRM-M-39384-2023 (O&M) -7in non-compoundable offences, if the parties have entered into a compromise, this Court has wide powers under Section 482 CrPC to quash the proceedings to prevent abuse of law and secure the ends of justice. 6.
In view of the above and keeping in view the report by the Trial Court that the parties have genuinely entered into a compromise and all the disputes between the parties have been resolved, it would not be in the interest of justice to continue the criminal proceedings. 7.
Resultantly, FIR No.247 dated 06.12.2022 under Sections 363, 366-A, 365, 343, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, registered at Police Station City Malerkotla-I, District Malerkotla, along with all the subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, are quashed on the basis of compromise dated 25.03.2023 (Annexure P-2).
8.
The petition is accordingly allowed. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of.
21.11.2023 (ALKA SARIN) Aman Jain JUDGE NOTE:
Whether speaking/non-speaking: Speaking Whether reportable: Yes/No