Darshna Rani And ORS v. State Of Punjab And Another

2024:PHHC:023514

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-64410-2023 (O&M) Date of Decision: 20.02.2024 Darshna Rani and others .......... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and another .......... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARKESH MANUJA

Present:

Mr. Karandeep Singh, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. Sidharth Sandhu, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, for respondent No. 1.

Mr. Prince Pushpender Rana, Advocate, for respondent No. 2.

**** HARKESH MANUJA, J. (ORAL) The petitioners, by way of present petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C., seek quashing of FIR No. 158 dated 27.10.2020 (Annexure P-1) under Sections 379-B, 341, 323, 506 and 34 of IPC, and Sections 325 and 201 of IPC were added later on registered at Police Station Arniwala, Tehsil Jalalabad, District Fazilka (Punjab), alongwith all consequential proceedings arising out of the same on the basis of compromise dated (Annexure P-2). [2] This Court, while issuing notice of motion vide order dated 21.12.2023, directed the parties to appear before the Trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate for recording their statements with regard to the validity of compromise.

CRM-M-64410-2023 (O&M) -2- [3] In pursuance of above order dated 21.12.2023, a report dated 29.01.2024 has been received from the concerned Court, stating that compromise effected between the parties is genuine, voluntary and without any coercion or undue influence. No accused has been declared as proclaimed offender.

[4] Thus once, the compromise has been arrived at between the parties without any pressure and respondent No. 2 have no objection as regards quashing of FIR as well as all other subsequent proceedings arising out of the same against the petitioners; there does not appear to be any impediment as regards quashing of present FIR qua the petitioners. Even otherwise, in order to maintain peace and harmony between the parties, particularly under the present circumstances wherein the alleged offences have no societal interest involved, it would be appropriate to render complete quietus to the aforementioned dispute by quashing the FIR on the basis of compromise entered into between the parties.

[5] The parties having settled their dispute so as to live in peace in future, no useful purpose would be served by proceeding further with the criminal proceedings. In the light of above developments, no cause remains for the Trial Court to invest further time and effort in adjudicating this FIR. The compromise in question is even found to be fully in consonance with the direction issued by the Court in Kulwinder Singh & Ors. Vs. State of Punjab 2007(3) RCR (Criminal) 1052 and Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab & Anr., 2012(4) RCR (Crl.) 543.

[6] Thus, in view of the aforesaid facts, accompanied by statements of both the parties as well as keeping in mind the law laid down in the aforementioned judgments, the petition is allowed and the FIR (supra) as

CRM-M-64410-2023 (O&M) -3well as all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom are hereby quashed qua the petitioners.

[7] The aforesaid order shall, however, be subject to payment of costs of Rs. 5,000/- to be deposited by the petitioners with the Bar Clerks Association, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, within a period of two weeks from today.

February 20, 2024 ( HARKESH MANUJA ) monika JUDGE Whether Speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No