Ram Singh And Others v. State Of Punjab And Others

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 28.09.2022 Ram Singh and others .... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others .... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR VERMA Present: - Mr. O.P. Kamboj, Advocate, for the petitioners. Mr. Amish Sharma, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab. Mr. G.S. Thind, Advocate, for respondent No.4. ASHOK KUMAR VERMA, J. (ORAL) The petitioners have filed the present petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., for quashing FIR No.180 dated 21.07.2019 registered under Sections 420, 120-B IPC at Police Station City Muktsar, District Shri Muktsar Sahib, and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom on the basis of compromise dated 27.08.2019 (Annexure P-2) arrived at between the parties.

Pursuant to the order dated 24.09.2019 passed by a coordinate Bench of this Court, the parties appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Muktsar Sahib, to get their statements recorded. Learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Muktsar Sahib, has submitted his report along with statements of the parties vide letter No.545 dated 31.10.2019 duly forwarded by the District and Sessions Judge, Sri Muktsar Sahib, vide letter No.2184/EB dated 01.11.2019.

-2I have heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned State counsel and learned counsel for respondent No.4 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.

-3Narayan and others (Supreme Court) : 2019 (2) RCR (Criminal) 255 and Kulwinder Singh and others Vs. State of Punjab and others (Punjab and Haryana High Court) : 2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052. According to the reports, learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Muktsar Sahib, is satisfied that parties have arrived at a compromise with their free volition, without any inducement, threat, promise, coercion or undue influence from any quarter.

Considering the reports of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sri Muktsar Sahib, dated 31.10.2019 and the fact that the compromise will bring peace and harmony between the parties, aforesaid FIR No.180 dated 21.07.2019 and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, are quashed, qua the petitioners only.

Disposed of, accordingly.

September 28, 2022 (ASHOK KUMAR VERMA) R.S.

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