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2018 DIGILAW 869 (HP)

Praveen Kumar v. State Of Himachal Pradesh

2018-05-10

DHARAM CHAND CHAUDHARY

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JUDGMENT Dharam Chand Chaudhary, J —The petitioner herein is an accused in FIR No. 1/15 registered against him at the instance of respondent No.2-complainant Rajeev Kumar under Sections 279 and 337 IPC in Police Station, Khundian, District Kangra, H.P. The allegations against him, in a nut-shell, are that on 23.11.2015 while driving his Alto car bearing No. HP-44B-4400 around 10.00 a.m at Ghatta on account of rash and negligent driving, he lost control over his car and hit the motor cycle bearing No. HP-36B-3194 lying parked on roadside and occupied by the respondent-complainant. As a result thereof, the respondent-complainant fell down and received injuries on his person, which after his medical turned to be simple in nature. 2. Learned Additional Advocate General has filed reply to the petition in the form of instructions. Respondent No.2 and the accused-petitioner have compromised the matter and as such, the former is not interested to prosecute the later any further in this case. Their joint statements to this effect have been recorded separately. 3. It is seen that an offence punishable under Section 279 of the Indian Penal code is not compoundable under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The apex Court, however, in Gian Singh versus State of Punjab and another , (2012) 10 SCC 303 has held that the High Court in exercise of inherent powers vested in it under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure may quash FIR/criminal proceedings in a case where the offence allegedly committed by the accused though is not compoundable, however, the victim and accused have settled the differences amicably. The powers vested in the Court, however, should be exercised sparingly and only in appropriate cases, having arisen out of civil, mercantile, commercial, financial, partnership or such other transactions of like nature including matrimonial or the case relating to dowry etc., in which the wrong basically is done to the victim. This judgment further reveals that the compounding of offence in a case of serious nature like rape, dacoity and corruption etc., having serious impact in the society is not permissible. 4. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in Karamvir Singh versus State of Punjab and another, Crl. Misc. This judgment further reveals that the compounding of offence in a case of serious nature like rape, dacoity and corruption etc., having serious impact in the society is not permissible. 4. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in Karamvir Singh versus State of Punjab and another, Crl. Misc. No. M-1586 of 2013 (O&M) decided on 13.9.2013 after placing reliance on Full Bench judgment of the same High Court in Kulwinder Singh and others versus State of Punjab , (2007) 3 RCR(Cri) 1052 and also that of Apex Court in Gian Singh''s case has allowed the compounding of offence in a case punishable under Sections 279, 337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code in the similar circumstances with the observation that since the parties have arrived at a compromise and decided to live in peace, no useful purpose would be served in allowing the proceedings to continue. 5. The Apex Court in Narinder Singh and others versus State of Punjab and another , (2014) 6 SCC 466 has even quashed the FIR under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code with the following observations: "We have gone through the FIR as well which was recorded on the basis of statement of the complainant/victim. It gives an indication that the complainant was attacked allegedly by the accused persons because of some previous dispute between the parties, though nature of dispute etc. is not stated in detail. However, a very pertinent statement appears on record viz., ''respectable persons have been trying for a compromise up till now, which could not be finalized''. This becomes an important aspect. It appears that there have been some disputes which led to the aforesaid purported attack by the accused on the complainant. In this context when we find that the elders of the village, including Sarpanch, intervened in the matter and the parties have not only buried their hatchet but have decided to live peacefully in future, this becomes an important consideration. The evidence is yet to be led in the Court. It has not even started. In view of compromise between parties, there is a minimal chance of the witnesses coming forward in support of the prosecution case. Even though nature of injuries can still be established by producing the doctor as witness who conducted medical examination, it may become difficult to prove as to who caused these injuries. It has not even started. In view of compromise between parties, there is a minimal chance of the witnesses coming forward in support of the prosecution case. Even though nature of injuries can still be established by producing the doctor as witness who conducted medical examination, it may become difficult to prove as to who caused these injuries. The chances of conviction, therefore, appear to be remote. It would, therefore, be unnecessary to drag these proceedings. We, taking all these factors into consideration cumulatively, are of the opinion that the compromise between the parties be accepted and the criminal proceedings arising out of FIR No.121 dated 14.7.2010 registered with Police Station LOPOKE, District Amritsar Rural be quashed. We order accordingly." 6. Now, if coming to the case in hand, complainant-respondent No.2 is no more interested to prosecute the pending criminal case against the accused-petitioner any further. They both are present in person. Their statements to this effect have been recorded separately. The proceedings in the criminal case against the accused-petitioner are still at its initial stage as only charge has been framed. In view of the complainant has settled the dispute with the accused-petitioner amicably he is not going to support the prosecution case while in the witness box. Therefore, even if the trial is allowed to continue, the chances of conviction of the accusedpetitioner will be very bleak. On the other hand, the accused-petitioner has all repentance for this accident. He has undertaken to drive the vehicle in future with all care and caution. No doubt, learned Additional Advocate General has opposed the prayer for quashing the FIR and consequential criminal proceedings on the ground that there being increase in road accidents, accused-petitioner be tried and punished. However, as noticed hereinabove, when in the changed circumstances the respondent-complainant is not likely to support the prosecution case, therefore, no useful purpose is likely to be served by allowing the criminal proceedings against the accused-petitioner to continue and to do so rather would amount to abuse of the process of law. 7. The petition as such is allowed. Consequently, FIR No. 1/15, registered against the accused-petitioner in Police Station, Khundian, District Kangra and also the consequential criminal proceedings pending disposal in the Court of learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Dehra, District Kangra, is ordered to be quashed. The petition is accordingly disposed of. 7. The petition as such is allowed. Consequently, FIR No. 1/15, registered against the accused-petitioner in Police Station, Khundian, District Kangra and also the consequential criminal proceedings pending disposal in the Court of learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Dehra, District Kangra, is ordered to be quashed. The petition is accordingly disposed of. An authenticated copy of this judgment be sent to learned trial Court for record/compliance.