Santosh Rani v. State Of Punjab And Another

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

Date of Decision: 16.01.2023 Santosh Rani .... Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and another .... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR VERMA Present: - Ms. Kamaldeep Kaur, Advocate for Mr. G.S. Kaura, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. G.S. Sandhu, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. Mr. R.S. Dhaliwal, Advocate for respondent No. 2. ASHOK KUMAR VERMA, J. (ORAL) The petitioner has filed the present petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., for quashing FIR No. 118 dated 12.10.2021 (Annexure P-1) registered under Sections 420/406 IPC at Police Station Phase 11, SAS Nagar, Mohali and all the consequential proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise dated 22.10.2021 (Annexure P-2). Pursuant to the order dated 03.11.2021, passed by this Court, the parties appeared before the learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, SAS Nagar, Moahil, to get their statements recorded. Learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, SAS Nagar, Mohali, has submitted his report along with statements of the parties vide letter No. 1574 dated 17.11.2021, duly forwarded by the learned District and Sessions Judge, SAS Nagar, vide Endst. No. 8965 dated 22.11.2021.

-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.

-3Singh and others Vs. State of Punjab and others (Punjab and Haryana High Court) : 2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052.

According to the report, learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, SAS Nagar, Mohali, is satisfied that the compromise effected between the parties is genuine, voluntary and without any coercion or undue influence.

Considering the report of learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, SAS Nagar, Mohali and the fact that the compromise will bring peace and harmony between the parties, aforesaid FIR No. 118 dated 12.10.2021 (Annexure P-1) and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, are quashed, qua petitioner, only. Disposed of, accordingly.

January 16, 2023 (ASHOK KUMAR VERMA) rishu JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No