Himachal Pradesh High Court

Smt. Santosh Sharma vs Unknown on 17 August, 2021

Bench: Chander Bhusan Barowalia

    IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA
              ON THE 17TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2021
                       BEFORE
     HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDER BHUSAN BAROWALIA




                                                       .
           CRIMINAL MISC. PETITION (MAIN) No. 367 of 2021





    Between:
    1. SMT. SANTOSH SHARMA,
       WIDOW OF LATE SH.





       VISHESHWAR        NATH
       SHARMA,     R/O   MAIN
       MARKET     NEAR    SVN
       SCHOOL,       RAJGARH,
       DISTRICT SIRMAUR, H.P.





    2. SH. SUMIT SHARMA, S/O
       LATE SH. VISHESHWAR
       NATH SHARMA, R/O MAIN
       MARKET     NEAR    SVN

       SCHOOL,      RAJGARH,

       DISTRICT SIRMAUR, H.P.
    3.   SMT. VANDNA SHARMA,
         W/O SH. SUMIT SHARMA,
         R/O MAIN MARKET NEAR


         SVN SCHOOL, RAJGARH,
         DISTRICT SIRMAUR, H.P.
    4. SH.     MURARI     LAL
       SHARMA,    R/O    MAIN




       MARKET     NEAR    SVN
       SCHOOL,      RAJGARH,





       DISTRICT SIRMAUR, H.P.
    5. SMT.   EKTA   SHARMA,
       W/O     SH     GAUTAM





       SHARMA, R/O HOUSE
       NO. 177, BETNA SIUDI,
       PINJORE,      DISTRICT
       PANCHKULA, HARYANA.

                                             ......PETITIONERS
    (BY SH. H.R. JHINGTA, ADVOCATE)

    AND

    1.   STATE OF     HIMACHAL
         PRADESH.




                                      ::: Downloaded on - 31/01/2022 22:53:44 :::CIS
     2. SMT. SUSHMA SHARMA,
       WIDOW OF LATE SH.
       VINEET   SHARMA    AND
       D/O SH. RATTAN LAL




                                                            .
       SHARMA, R/O VILLAGE





       GAWAHI, ANADALE, P.O.
       A.G.    TEHSIL     AND
       DISTRICT SHIMLA, H.P.





                                                  ......RESPONDENTS
    (SH. ARVIND SHARMA & SH.
    P.K.  BHATTI,   ADDITIONAL
    ADVOCATES GENERAL WITH





    SH. AMIT DHUMAL, DEPUTY
    ADVOCATE GENERAL AND SH.
    MANOJ    BAGGA,   ASSISTANT
    ADVOCATE GENERAL, FOR R1,
    SH.    RAKESH       THAKUR,

    ADVOCATE FOR R2)

    Whether approved for reporting? Yes.

                 This petition coming on for orders this day, the Court


    delivered the following:

                                  JUDGMENT

The present petition, under Section 482 of the Code

of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter to be called as "the Code"),

has been maintained by the petitioners for quashing of F.I.R No.

178/2013, dated 07.09.2013, under Sections 498A, 406 and

506 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter to be called as "IPC"),

registered with Police Station Shimla West, alongwith all

consequent proceedings arising out of the said F.I.R.

2. Briefly stated the facts, giving rise to the present

petition are that marriage between respondent No.

2/complainant and Vineet Sharma, son of petitioner No. 1 was

solemnized on 07.02.2012. However, on 27.06.2013, Vineet

Sharma has expired on account of illness. After the death of

husband of respondent No. 2/complainant some differences

arose in the family and petitioners started harassing respondent

No. 2/complainant. Consequently, F.I.R No. 178/2013, dated

07.09.2013, under Sections 498A, 406 and 506 of IPC, came to

be registered against the petitioners. However, now the parties

have settled their dispute amicably, vide Compromise Deed,

Annexure P2 and in order to maintain their relations cordial,

they do not want to continue with the case(s), rather, they want

to end all their litigations. Hence, the present petition.

3. Learned Counsel for the petitioners has argued that

as the parties have compromised the matter vide compromise

deed, Annexure P2, no purpose would be served by keeping

the proceedings alive, therefore, the FIR, alongwith consequent

proceedings arising out of the same, pending before the learned

trial Court, may be quashed and set aside.

4. Learned Additional Advocate General has argued

that taking into consideration the seriousness of the matter, the

present petition deserves dismissal.

5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent

No. 2 has argued that the present petition may be allowed, in

view of the compromise arrived at between the parties.

6. To appreciate the arguments of learned counsel

appearing on behalf of the parties, I have gone through the

records in detail.

7. Their Lordships of the Hon'ble Supreme Court B.S.

Joshi and others vs. State of Haryana and another, (2003) 4

SCC 675, have held that if for the purpose of securing the ends

of justice, quashing of FIR becomes necessary, section 320

would not be a bar to the exercise of power of quashing. It is

well settled that the powers under section 482 have no limits. Of

course, where there is more power, it becomes necessary to

exercise utmost care and caution while invoking such powers.

Their Lordships have held as under:

[6] In Pepsi Food Ltd. and another v. Special Judicial

Magistrate and others ((1998) 5 SCC 749), this Court with reference to Bhajan Lal's case observed that the guidelines laid therein as to where the Court will exercise jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code could not be

inflexible or laying rigid formulae to be followed by the Courts. Exercise of such power would depend upon the

facts and circumstances of each case but with the sole purpose to prevent abuse of the process of any Court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. It is well settled that these powers have no limits. Of course, where there

is more power, it becomes necessary to exercise utmost care and caution while invoking such powers.

[8] It is, thus, clear that Madhu Limaye's case does not lay down any general proposition limiting power of quashing the criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint as vested in Section 482 of the Code or extraordinary power under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. We are, therefore, of the view that if for the purpose of securing the ends of justice, quashing of FIR becomes necessary, Section 320 would not be a bar to the exercise of power of quashing. It is, however, a different matter depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case whether to exercise or not such a power.

[15] In view of the above discussion, we hold that the High Court in exercise of its inherent powers can quash criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint and Section 320 of the Code does not limit or affect the powers under Section 482 of the Code.

.

8. Their Lordships of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in

Preeti Gupta and another vs. State of Jharkhand and

another, (2010) 7 SCC 667, have held that the ultimate object

of justice is to find out the truth and punish the guilty and

protect the innocent. The tendency of implicating the husband

and all his immediate relations is also not uncommon. At times,

even after the conclusion of the criminal trial, it is difficult to

ascertain the real truth. Experience reveals that long and

protracted criminal trials lead to rancour, acrimony and

bitterness in the relationship amongst the parties. The criminal

trials lead to immense sufferings for all concerned. Their

Lordships have further held that permitting complainant to

pursue complaint would be abuse of process of law and the

complaint against the appellants was quashed. Their Lordships

have held as under:

[27] A threeJudge Bench (of which one of us, Bhandari, J. was the author of the judgment) of this Court in Inder Mohan Goswami and Another v. State of Uttaranchal & Others, 2007 12 SCC 1 comprehensively examined the legal position. The court came to a definite conclusion and the relevant observations of the court are reproduced in para 24 of the said judgment as under: "Inherent powers under section 482 Cr.P.C. though wide have to be exercised sparingly, carefully and with great caution and only when such exercise is justified by the tests specifically laid down in this section itself.

Authority of the court exists for the advancement of justice. If any abuse of the process leading to injustice is brought to the notice of the court, then the Court would be justified in preventing injustice by invoking inherent powers in absence of specific provisions in the Statute."

.

[28] We have very carefully considered the averments

of the complaint and the statements of all the witnesses recorded at the time of the filing of the complaint. There are no specific allegations against the appellants in the complaint and none of the witnesses have alleged

any role of both the appellants.

[35] The ultimate object of justice is to find out the truth and punish the guilty and protect the innocent. To find out the truth is a herculean task in majority of these complaints. The tendency of implicating husband

and all his immediate relations is also not uncommon. At times, even after the conclusion of criminal trial, it is difficult to ascertain the real truth. The courts have to be extremely careful and cautious in dealing with these complaints and must take pragmatic realities into

consideration while dealing with matrimonial cases. The allegations of harassment of husband's close relations

who had been living in different cities and never visited or rarely visited the place where the complainant resided would have an entirely different complexion. The allegations of the complaint are required to be scrutinized with great care and circumspection.

36. Experience reveals that long and protracted criminal trials lead to rancour, acrimony and bitterness in the relationship amongst the parties. It is also a matter of common knowledge that in cases filed by the

complainant if the husband or the husband's relations had to remain in jail even for a few days, it would ruin

the chances of amicable settlement altogether. The process of suffering is extremely long and painful. [38] The criminal trials lead to immense sufferings for all concerned. Even ultimate acquittal in the trial

may also not be able to wipe out the deep scars of suffering of ignominy. Unfortunately a large number of these complaints have not only flooded the courts but also have led to enormous social unrest affecting peace, harmony and happiness of the society. It is high time that the legislature must take into consideration the pragmatic realities and make suitable changes in the existing law. It is imperative for the legislature to take into consideration the informed public opinion and the pragmatic realities in consideration and make necessary changes in the relevant provisions of law. We direct the Registry to send a copy of this judgment to the Law Commission and to the Union Law Secretary, Government of India who may place it before the

Hon'ble Minister for Law & Justice to take appropriate steps in the larger interest of the society.

9. Their Lordships of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in

Jitendra Raghuvanshi and others vs. Babita Raghuvanshi

and another, (2013) 4 SCC 58, have held that criminal

proceedings or FIR or complaint can be quashed under section

482 Cr.P.C. in appropriate cases in order to meet ends of

justice. Even in noncompoundable offences pertaining to

matrimonial disputes, if court is satisfied that parties have

settled the disputes amicably and without any pressure, then

for purpose of securing ends of justice, FIR or complaint or

subsequent criminal proceedings in respect of offences can be

quashed. Their Lordships have held as under:

[13] As stated earlier, it is not in dispute that after filing of a complaint in respect of the offences punishable under Sections 498A and 406 of IPC, the parties, in the instant case, arrived at a mutual

settlement and the complainant also has sworn an affidavit supporting the stand of the appellants. That

was the position before the trial Court as well as before the High Court in a petition filed under Section 482 of the Code. A perusal of the impugned order of the High Court shows that because the mutual settlement arrived

at between the parties relate to noncompoundable offence, the court proceeded on a wrong premise that it cannot be compounded and dismissed the petition filed under Section 482. A perusal of the petition before the High Court shows that the application filed by the appellants was not for compounding of non compoundable offences but for the purpose of quashing the criminal proceedings.

[14] The inherent powers of the High Court under Section 482 of the Code are wide and unfettered. In B.S. Joshi , this Court has upheld the powers of the High Court under Section 482 to quash criminal proceedings where dispute is of a private nature and a compromise is entered into between the parties who are willing to

settle their differences amicably. We are satisfied that the said decision is directly applicable to the case on hand and the High Court ought to have quashed the criminal proceedings by accepting the settlement arrived at.

[15] In our view, it is the duty of the courts to

.

encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes,

particularly, when the same are on considerable increase. Even if the offences are noncompoundable, if they relate to matrimonial disputes and the court is satisfied that the parties have settled the same amicably

and without any pressure, we hold that for the purpose of securing ends of justice, Section 320 of the Code would not be a bar to the exercise of power of quashing of FIR, complaint or the subsequent criminal proceedings.

[16] There has been an outburst of matrimonial disputes in recent times. The institution of marriage occupies an important place and it has an important role to play in the society. Therefore, every effort should be made in the interest of the individuals in

order to enable them to settle down in life and live peacefully. If the parties ponder over their defaults and

terminate their disputes amicably by mutual agreement instead of fighting it out in a court of law, in order to do complete justice in the matrimonial matters, the courts should be less hesitant in exercising its extraordinary jurisdiction. It is trite to state that the power under

Section 482 should be exercised sparingly and with circumspection only when the court is convinced, on the basis of material on record, that allowing the proceedings to continue would be an abuse of the

process of the court or that the ends of justice require that the proceedings ought to be quashed. We also make

it clear that exercise of such power would depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case and it has to be exercised in appropriate cases in order to do real and substantial justice for the administration of which alone

the courts exist. It is the duty of the courts to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes and Section 482 of the Code enables the High Court and Article 142 of the Constitution enables this Court to pass such orders.

[17] In the light of the above discussion, we hold that the High Court in exercise of its inherent powers can quash the criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint in appropriate cases in order to meet the ends of justice and Section 320 of the Code does not limit or affect the powers of the High Court under Section 482 of the Code. Under these circumstances, we set aside the impugned judgment of the High Court dated 04.07.2012 passed in M.C.R.C. No. 2877 of 2012 and quash the proceedings in

Criminal Case No. 4166 of 2011 pending on the file of Judicial Magistrate ClassI, Indore."

10. Similarly, Hon'ble Supreme Court in Parbatbhai

Aahir alias Parbatbhai Bhimsinhbhai Karmur and others vs.

State of Gujarat and another, (2017) 9 Supreme Court Cases

641, wherein it has been held as under :

"16.The broad principles which emerge from the precedents on the subject, may be summarised in the following propositions:

16.1. Section 482 preserves the inherent powers of the High Court to prevent an abuse of the process of any court or to secure the ends of justice. The provision does not confer new powers. It only recognises and preserves powers which inhere in the High Court;

16.2. The invocation of the jurisdiction of the High Court to quash a First Information Report or a criminal

proceeding on the ground that a settlement has been arrived at between the offender and the victim is not the same as the invocation of jurisdiction for the purpose of compounding an offence. While compounding an offence, the power of the court is

governed by the provisions of Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The power to quash under Section 482 is attracted even if the offence is non compoundable.

16.3. In forming an opinion whether a criminal proceeding or complaint should be quashed in exercise

of its jurisdiction under Section 482, the High Court must evaluate whether the ends of justice would justify the exercise of the inherent power;

16.4 While the inherent power of the High Court has a

wide ambit and plenitude it has to be exercised; (i) to secure the ends of justice or (ii) to prevent an abuse of the process of any court;

16.5 The decision as to whether a complaint or First Information Report should be quashed on the ground that the offender and victim have settled the dispute, revolves ultimately on the facts and circumstances of each case and no exhaustive elaboration of principles can be formulated;

16.6. In the exercise of the power under Section 482 and while dealing with a plea that the dispute has been settled, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the offence. Heinous and serious offences involving mental depravity or offences such as

murder, rape and dacoity cannot appropriately be quashed though the victim or the family of the victim have settled the dispute. Such offences are, truly speaking, not private in nature but have a serious impact upon society. The decision to continue with the trial in such cases is founded on the overriding

.

element of public interest in punishing persons for

serious offences;

16.7. As distinguished from serious offences, there may be criminal cases which have an overwhelming or predominant element of a civil dispute. They stand on

a distinct footing in so far as the exercise of the inherent power to quash is concerned;

16.8. Criminal cases involving offences which arise from commercial, financial, mercantile, partnership or similar transactions with an essentially civil flavour

may in appropriate situations fall for quashing where parties have settled the dispute;

16.9 In such a case, the High Court may quash the criminal proceeding if in view of the compromise between the disputants, the possibility of a conviction

is remote and the continuation of a criminal proceeding would cause oppression and prejudice; and

16.10. There is yet an exception to the principle set out in propositions 16.8 and 16.9 above. Economic offences involving the financial and economic well being of the state have implications which lie beyond the domain of a mere dispute between private

disputants. The High Court would be justified in declining to quash where the offender is involved in an activity akin to a financial or economic fraud or misdemeanour. The consequences of the act

complained of upon the financial or economic system will weigh in the balance.

Even if, the trial is allowed to be continued, as the

parties have compromised the matter, there are bleak chances of

conviction to secure the ends of justice.

11. Thus, taking into consideration the law as discussed

hereinabove and the compromise arrived at between the parties

vide Compromise Deed, Annexure P2, I find that the interest of

justice would be met, in case, the proceedings are quashed, as the

parties have compromised the matter and do not want to proceed

further with the case in order to live peacefully.

12. Accordingly, looking into all attending facts and

circumstances, this Court finds that present is a fit case to

exercise jurisdiction vested in this Court, under Section 482 of the