Hira Singh And Ors vs State Of Nct Of Delhi & Anr
2015 Latest Caselaw 7115 Del

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*      IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

                        Judgment delivered on: 18th September, 2015

+      CRL.M.C. 3732/2015
       HIRA SINGH AND ORS                         ..... Petitioners
                    Represented by: Mr.Anil Dagar, Adv.

                        versus

    STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR                 ..... Respondents
                  Represented by: Mr. Izhar Ahmad, APP for
                  State with ASI Mohd. Ismail, PS-Alipur, Delhi.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURESH KAIT

SURESH KAIT, J. (Oral)

+ CRL.M.C. No.3732/2015

1. Vide the present petition; petitioners seek directions thereby quashing of FIR No. 133/2008 registered at Police Station Alipur, Delhi, for the offences punishable under Sections 452/341/323/34 IPC against the petitioners.

2. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners submits that a scuffle has taken place between the parties on 07.06.2008 as a result of which the aforementioned FIR was registered against the petitioners and a cross FIR No.134/2008 was also registered for the offences punishable under Sections 323/34 IPC against the respondent no.2 to 4 on the complaint of petitioner no.2.

3. Learned counsel further submits that both the parties have amicably

settled their disputes in both the aforementioned FIRs vide settlement deed dated 06.04.2015 whereby both the parties have agreed to withdraw their respective cases as noted above. Pursuant to the said settlement, out of Rs.30,000/- an amount of Rs.15,000/- has already been paid by the petitioner to the respondents, and the remaining amount of Rs. 15,000/- has been paid today in the court. Learned counsel submits that in view of the above, the present petition may be allowed.

4. Respondent Nos.2 to 4 are personally present in the Court. They have been identified by SI Mohd. Ismail, IO of the case. They state that matter has been compromised and they do not want to pursue the case further against each other.

5. Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the State submits that after investigation charge-sheet has been filed and the case is pending for trial. Since the parties have settled all their disputes amicably, the State has no objection if the present petition is allowed.

6. In view of the overall circumstances; and looking to the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab and Another (2012) 10 SCC 303, which has referred to a number of matters for the proposition that even a non-compoundable offence can also be quashed on the ground of a settlement agreement between the offender and the victim, if the circumstances so warrant; and also Narinder Singh & Ors. Vs. State of Punjab & Anr. (2014) 6 SCC 466, wherein the Supreme Court held as follows:-

"29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down the following principles by which the High Court would be guided in giving adequate treatment to

the settlement between the parties and exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings:

29.1 Power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution.

29.2. When the parties have reached the settlement and on that basis petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is filed, the guiding factor in such cases would be to secure:

(i) ends of justice, or

(ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court.

While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives.

29.3. Such a power is not to be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, for the offences alleged to have been committed under special statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender.

29.4. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.

29.5. While exercising its powers, the High Court is to examine as to whether the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal cases would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal cases.

29.6. Offences under Section 307 IPC would fall in the category of heinous and serious offences and therefore are to be generally treated as crime against the society and not against the individual alone. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely because there is a mention of Section 307 IPC in the FIR or the charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the High Court to examine as to whether incorporation of Section 307 IPC is there for the sake of it or the prosecution has collected sufficient evidence, which if proved, would lead to proving the charge under Section 307 IPC. For this purpose, it would be open to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether such injury is inflicted on the vital/delegate parts of the body, nature of weapons used, etc. Medical report in respect of injuries suffered by the victim can generally be the guiding factor. On the basis of this prima facie analysis, the High Court can examine as to whether there is a strong possibility of conviction or the chances of conviction are remote and bleak. In the former case it can refuse to accept the settlement and quash the criminal proceedings whereas in the latter case it would be permissible for the High Court to accept the plea compounding the offence based on complete settlement between the parties. At this stage, the Court can also be swayed by the fact that the settlement between the parties

is going to result in harmony between them which may improve their future relationship.

29.7. While deciding whether to exercise its power under Section 482 of the Code or not, timings of settlement play a crucial role. Those cases where the settlement is arrived at immediately after the alleged commission of offence and the matter is still under investigation, the High Court may be liberal in accepting the settlement to quash the criminal proceedings/investigation. It is because of the reason that at this stage the investigation is still on and even the charge-sheet has not been filed. Likewise, those cases where the charge is framed but the evidence is yet to start or the evidence is still at infancy stage, the High Court can show benevolence in exercising its powers favourably, but after prima facie assessment of the circumstances/material mentioned above. On the other hand, where the prosecution evidence is almost complete or after the conclusion of the evidence the matter is at the stage of argument, normally the High Court should refrain from exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code, as in such cases the trial court would be in a position to decide the case finally on merits and to come to a conclusion as to whether the offence under Section 307 IPC is committed or not. Similarly, in those cases where the conviction is already recorded by the trial court and the matter is at the appellate stage before the High Court, mere compromise between the parties would not be a ground to accept the same resulting in acquittal of the offender who has already been convicted by the trial court. Here charge is proved under Section 307 IPC and conviction is already recorded of a heinous crime and, therefore, there is no question of sparing a convict found guilty of such a crime."

7. Both the parties are present in the Court today, approbate to the settlement arrived between them and undertake to remain bound by the same.

8. In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties, statements of respondent nos. 2 to 4 and the law laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the cases of Gian Singh (supra) and Narinder Singh (supra) and in the facts and circumstances noted above, I am of the considered opinion that this matter deserves to be given a quietus, as continuance of proceedings arising out of the aforementioned FIRs would be an exercise in futility.

9. Consequently, FIR No. 133/2008 and the cross FIR No.134/2008 registered at Police Station Alipur, Delhi, and all proceedings emanating therefrom qua the parties are hereby quashed.

10. In view of the above, the present petition is allowed.

11. A copy of this order be given dasti to the learned counsel for the parties.

Crl. M.A. No. 13219/2015 (stay)

Dismissed as infructuous.

SURESH KAIT (JUDGE) SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 RS