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Himachal Pradesh High Court · body

2014 DIGILAW 1746 (HP)

Sanjay Sharma son of Om Parkash v. State of Himachal Pradesh

2014-11-26

P.S.RANA

body2014
JUDGMENT : P.S.Rana, J. Present petition is filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 for quashing FIR No. 202 of 2013 dated 21.10.2013 registered under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 IPC at Police Station Sadar Shimla. 2. It is pleaded that FIR was registered at the instance of Maheswar Dutt Sharma. It is pleaded that complainant Maheswar Dutt Sharma and accused persons have amicably settled the dispute by way of executing compromise deed duly attested by Oath Commissioner in the presence of two independent witnesses on dated 15.5.2014. It is pleaded that complainant had received the amount of Rs. 1,35,000/- (One lac thirty five thousand) on dated 15.5.2014. It is further pleaded that offence punishable under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 IPC are compoundable offences under Section 320 Cr PC with prior permission of the Court. Prayer for acceptance of petition filed under Section 482 Cr PC sought. 3. Per contra reply and police report filed. There is recital in reply and police report that FIR No. 202 of 2013 dated 21.10.2013 has been registered against the applicants under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 IPC at Police Station Sadar Shimla District Shimla HP. There is further recital in police report that applicants joined the investigation of the case. There is further recital in police report that during the investigation accused persons did not disclose anything about cheque book, pass book and ATM cards. There is further recital in police report that recoveries of cheque book, pass book and ATM card are still to be recovered from the accused persons. There is further recital in police report that accused persons are residing outside the State of Himachal Pradesh. There is further recital in police report that accused persons have given advertisement in the news paper 'Amar Ujala’ that they would install telephone tower and they would also provide employment and hand some salary. There is further recital in police report that thereafter accused persons demanded an amount of Rs.1,35,000/- (one lac thirty five thousand) from the complainant and complainant paid Rs.1,35,000/- (one lac thirty five thousand) to the accused persons. It is further pleaded that criminal offence is committed against State and not against complainant Maheshwar Dutt Sharma individually. It is pleaded that offence under Section 120B is not compoundable criminal offence. It is further pleaded that criminal offence is committed against State and not against complainant Maheshwar Dutt Sharma individually. It is pleaded that offence under Section 120B is not compoundable criminal offence. There is further recital in police report that despite receiving an amount of Rs. 1,35,000/- (One lac thirty five thousand) by the accused persons, they did not execute the promise as has been assured by them. Prayer for rejection of application filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure sought. Per contra separate reply filed on behalf of complainant Maheshwar Dutt Sharma pleaded therein that he had received amount to the tune of Rs.1,35,000/- (One lac thirty five thousand) on dated 15.5.2014 and he has no objection if FIR No.202 of 2013 dated 21.10.2013 registered at Police Station Sadar Shimla District Shimla is quashed. 4. Court heard learned Advocate appearing on behalf of applicant and Court also heard learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of non-applicant. 5. Following points arise for determination in the present application. (1) Whether petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is liable to be accepted as mentioned in memorandum of grounds of application. (2) Final Order. Finding upon point No.1. 6. Submission of learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the applicants that a compromise has been executed inter se the parties and permission to compound the present case be granted and FIR be quashed are rejected being devoid of any force for the reason hereinafter mentioned. FIR has been registered against the applicants under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 IPC. Although offence under Section 420 IPC is compoundable but offence under Section 120B IPC is not compoundable. The allegations against the applicants are that applicants have committed cheating and dishonestly received an amount of Rs.1,35,000/- (One lac thirty five thousand) from complainant Maheswar Dutt Sharma and applicants have also committed criminal conspiracy. It is held that criminal offence under Section 120B IPC is non-compoundable offence. Case is in the stage of investigation. It was held in case reported in AIR 2014 SC 3352 titled Mosiruddin Munshi Vs. Md.Siraj and another that quashing of FIR at the stage of investigation is pre mature. It was held in case reported in 2014 (3) Him. L.R 1654 titled TT Siddarth Vs. Case is in the stage of investigation. It was held in case reported in AIR 2014 SC 3352 titled Mosiruddin Munshi Vs. Md.Siraj and another that quashing of FIR at the stage of investigation is pre mature. It was held in case reported in 2014 (3) Him. L.R 1654 titled TT Siddarth Vs. State of HP and others that power to quash the FIR should not be exercised in order to stifle or scuttle a legitimate prosecution. It was held that power should be used sparingly and with abundant caution. Also see (2009) 1 SCC 516 titled R.Kalyani Vs. Janak C.Mehta and others and (2006) 6 SCC 736 titled Indian Oil Corporation Vs. NEPC India Ltd and others. Court is of the opinion that criminal offence under Section 120B criminal conspiracy by four accused in order to grab Rs.1,35,000/- (One lac thirty five thousand) is offence against State and State had not consented compromise deed dated 15.5.2014 and State had also not signed compromise deed dated 15.5.2014. Offence of criminal conspiracy is offence against society and effect public peace and tranquility. Court is of the opinion that payment of Rs.1,35,000/- (One lac thirty five thousand) on dated 15.5.2014 subsequently by accused persons to Maheshwar Dutt Sharma will not automatically discharge the accused persons qua criminal offence under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 IPC which was alleged to be committed on dated 2.9.2013. It was held in case reported in 2011(3) SLJ 1537 titled Gulab Dass and others Vs. State of HP that criminal offences which are not compoundable under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure could not be allowed to be compounded even if there is settlement between complainant and accused. In the present case criminal offence under Section 120B IPC is not compoundable criminal case. In view of the above stated facts point No.1 is answered in negative against the applicants. Final Order. 7. In view of the above finding application filed under Section 482 Cr. PC for quashing of FIR No. 202 of 2013 dated 21.10.2013 registered under Sections 420, 120B read with Section 34 IPC is rejected. Observation made hereinabove is strictly for the purpose of deciding the present application filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and it shall not effect merits of case in any manner. All pending application(s) if any are also disposed of.