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Kerala High Court
Ranji Williams vs State Of Kerala on 18 February, 2026
Author: C.S.Dias
Bench: C.S.Dias
CRL.MC NO. 957 OF 2026
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2026:KER:14425
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.S.DIAS
WEDNESDAY, THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026 / 29TH MAGHA, 1947
CRL.MC NO. 957 OF 2026
CRIME NO.55/2021 OF KARIPUR POLICE STATION, Malappuram
IN CC NO.72 OF 2022 OF CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE ,MANJERI
PETITIONERS/ACCUSED 1 TO 3:
1 RANJI WILLIAMS,
AGED 60 YEARS
S/O JHON WILLIAMS, PUTHUSSERI HOUSE, ST. THOMAS LINE,
MULLOOR ROAD, CHITILAPPILLY, THRISSUR, PIN - 680551
2 PRAMOD SINGH,
AGED 38 YEARS
S/O SAHAB SINGH, HOUSE NO. 1029, ROHTAK DISTRICT,
HARYANA, PIN - 124001
3 GANGANDEEP RAJ,
AGED 44 YEARS
S/O JANAK RAJ, HOUSE NO. 40, PRABATH COLONY, JAMMU
CANTT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PIN - 180003
BY ADV SMT.KRISHNAPRIYA SREEKUMAR
RESPONDENTS/STATE AND DEFACTO COMPLAINANT:
1 STATE OF KERALA,
REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA
AT ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682031
2 MOHAMMED ISMAIL BAPUMOHIDIN RUKNUDDIN,
AGED 34 YEARS
S/O BAPUMOHIDIN RUKNUDDIN, RUKNUDDIN HOUSE, KARGADDE, 3
CROSS, HINDU COLONY, BHATKAL, N.K KARWAR, KARNATAKA,
PIN - 581320
CRL.MC NO. 957 OF 2026
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BY ADV SHRI.VISMAY SREEPRAKASH
PP SRI M P PRASANTH
THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
18.02.2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:
CRL.MC NO. 957 OF 2026
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C.S.DIAS, J.
------------------------------------------
Crl.M.C. No. 957 OF 2026
--------------------------------------------
Dated this the 18th day of February, 2026
ORDER
The petitioners are the accused 1 to 3 in CC
No.72/2022 on the file of the Court of the Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Manjeri, in Crime No.55/2021 registered by
the Karipur Police Station, Malappuram, alleging the
commission of the offences punishable under Sections 341,
427, 166 and 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal
Code.
2. The petitioners have invoked the inherent
jurisdiction of this Court under Section 528 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to quash all
further proceedings in the above case. It is asserted that
the dispute that led to the filing of the complaint has been
amicably settled between the petitioners and the 2nd
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respondent, who has executed Annexure-2 affidavit,
affirming the settlement.
3. I have heard the learned Counsel appearing for the
petitioners, the learned Public Prosecutor, and the learned
Counsel for the 2nd respondent.
4. The learned counsel on either side submit that, with
the intervention of relatives and well-wishers, the parties
have resolved their disputes amicably. The 2nd respondent
has no subsisting grievance and does not wish to pursue
the prosecution, and has no objection to the proceedings
being quashed.
5. The learned Public Prosecutor, on instructions,
submits that the Investigating Officer has reported that the
parties have arrived at a genuine and bona fide settlement.
The State has no objection to the Criminal Miscellaneous
case being allowed.
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6. The scope and ambit of the inherent powers of this
Court to quash criminal proceedings on the ground of
settlement between the parties have been authoritatively
laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court, in Gian Singh v.
State of Punjab [(2012) 10 SCC 303], State of Madhya
Pradesh v. Laxmi Narayan and Others [(2019) 5 SCC
688], Naushey Ali v. State of U.P. [(2025) 4 SCC 78], and
in a host of judicial pronouncements. It is held that in cases
where the offences are not grave or heinous, and where the
parties have amicably settled the dispute, to secure the
ends of justice, the High Court may invoke its inherent
powers to quash the proceedings, particularly if
continuation of the prosecution would serve no fruitful
purpose.
7. On an overall consideration of the facts and
circumstances of the present case, and the materials on
record, I am satisfied that the offences alleged are not
heinous or of a serious nature; no public interest or
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element of societal concern is involved; the chances of
conviction are remote in view of the settlement; and the
continuation of the proceedings would merely burden the
judicial process without advancing the cause of justice.
Furthermore, the settlement would promote harmony
between the parties and restore peace. Hence, this Court is
persuaded to hold that this is a fit case to exercise its
inherent jurisdiction.
In the result, the Crl. M.C. is allowed. Accordingly,
Annexure-1 Final report and all further proceedings in CC
No.72/2022 on the file of the Court of the Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Manjeri, as against the petitioners, are hereby
quashed.
Sd/-
C.S.DIAS, JUDGE
NAB
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APPENDIX OF CRL.MC NO. 957 OF 2026
PETITIONER ANNEXURES
ANNEXURE 1 TRUE COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT IN CRIME NO. 55
OF 2021, KARIPUR POLICE STATION
ANNEXURE 2 TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE DE
FACTO COMPLAINANT DATED 28/12/2025
