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2019 DIGILAW 463 (UTT)

SURENDRA SINGH v. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND

2019-08-26

R.C.KHULBE

body2019
JUDGMENT Hon'ble R.C. Khulbe, J. By way of present application, moved under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. the applicants seek to quash the charge sheet dated 22.04.2017 filed in FIR No.114 of 2016, summoning order dated 22.05.2017 and entire proceedings of criminal case no.2246 of 2017, “State Vs. Surendra Singh and Others", under Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506 IPC, registered at P.S. Nanakmatta, District Udham Singh Nagar, pending in the court of Judicial Magistrate Khatima, District Udham Singh Nagar in terms of compromise arrived between the parties. 2. After perusal of the FIR, it would reveal that respondent no.2 lodged FIR No. 114 of 2016 on 10.10.2016 at 11:30 p.m. under Sections 323, 504 506 and 498A IPC and 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act at P.S. Nanakmatta, District Udham Singh Nagar against the applicants. After the investigation, the police filed charge sheet under Sections 323, 504, 506, 498A IPC and 3/4 of Dowry Prohibition Act on 22.04.2017. 3. The parties have filed a Compounding Application no. 1225 of 2018 to show that the parties have buried their differences and have settled their disputes amicably. 4. It is contended by learned counsel for the State that the offences punishable under Sections 498A IPC and 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act are non-compoundable offences. 5. Learned counsel for the parties also drew the attention of this Court towards the ruling of Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another, (2013) 1 SCC (Cri) 160, in which Hon'ble Supreme Court observed as below: “The position that emerges from the above discussion can be summarised thus: the power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz; (i) to secure the ends of justice or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any Court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R may be exercised where the offender and victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R may be exercised where the offender and victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim's family and the offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private in nature and have serious impact on society. Similarly, any compromise between the victim and offender in relation to the offences under special statutes like Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity etc; cannot provide for any basis for quashing criminal proceedings involving such offences. But the criminal cases having overwhelmingly and pre-dominatingly civil flavour stand on different footing for the purposes of quashing, particularly the offences arising from commercial, financial, mercantile, civil, partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising out of matrimony relating to dowry, etc. or the family disputes where the wrong is basically private or personal in nature and the parties have resolved their entire dispute. In this category of cases, High Court may quash criminal proceedings if in its view, because of the compromise between the offender and victim, the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal case would put accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal case despite full and complete settlement and compromise with the victim. In other words, the High Court must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest of justice to continue with the criminal proceeding or continuation of the criminal proceeding would tantamount to abuse of process of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim and wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is appropriate that criminal case is put to an end and if the answer to the above question(s) is in affirmative, the High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceeding." 6. Parties are are duly identified by their respective counsel. 7. Parties are are duly identified by their respective counsel. 7. Considering the fact that the offences punishable under Sections 498A and 3/4 Dowry IPC are non-compoundable offences and also the fact that complainant has filed an affidavit stating that the matter has been settled amicably between the parties, it would be just and appropriate to allow the present compounding applications in the interest of justice. 8. Accordingly, the compounding application is allowed. The entire proceedings of criminal case no.2246 of 2017, “State Vs. Surendra Singh and Others", under Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506 IPC, registered at P.S. Nanakmatta, District Udham Singh Nagar, pending in the court of Judicial Magistrate Khatima, District Udham Singh Nagar along with the charge sheet dated 22.04.2017 filed in FIR No.114 of 2016 and summoning order dated 22.05.2017 is hereby quashed, qua the present applicants only, on the basis of compromise arrived among the parties. 9. Present C482 application stands disposed of, as above. 10. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of accordingly.