Arun Kumar And Ors vs State Of Punjab And Anr
2022 Latest Caselaw 14430 P&H

            IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA
                         AT CHANDIGARH
202
                                                      CRM-M-15184-2018 (O&M)
                                                       Date of decision: 16.11.2022
ARUN KUMAR AND ORS
                                                                        ....Petitioner
                                Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR
                                                                     ...Respondents
CORAM:      HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY
                                  *****

Present : Mr. K.D. Sachdeva, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. Manipal Singh Atwal, DAG Punjab.

***** AMAN CHAUDHARY. J.

Present petition has been filed for quashing of FIR No.27 dated

29.02.2012, under Sections 323, 324, 201 and 34 of the IPC registered at Police

Station Urban Estate, Patiala and all other consequential proceedings arising

therefrom and judgment of conviction dated 28.09.2017 passed by the trial Court

,on the basis of the compromise Annexure P-2.

Notice of motion was issued on 18.04.2018 and vide order dated

31.07.2018 both the parties were directed to appear before the trial Court for

recording their statements in the context of genuineness of the compromise. The

trial Court was also directed to submit its report with regard to genuineness of the

compromise.

Pursuant to the aforesaid order, report dated 11.09.2018 has been

received from the learned District and Sessions Judge, Patiala. A perusal of the

said report reveals that statements of the concerned persons have been recorded in

the present case, who have stated that the matter has been settled between the

parties and they have no objection in case the FIR in question is quashed and the

compromise effected between them is genuine, without any undue influence and

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coercion.

Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that the compromise

is genuine and bonafide and has referred to the judgment of a Co-ordinate Bench

of this Court in CRM-M-17272-2015 titled as "Ram Parkash and others Vs.

State of Punjab and others", decided on 28.01.2016 to contend that under similar

circumstances, the petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. was entertained and the FIR

with all subsequent proceedings was quashed and even the judgment of conviction

was set aside on the basis of compromise.

Learned counsel for the petitioners has also relied upon the latest

judgment dated 29.09.2021 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Criminal

Appeal no.1489 of 2012 titled as "Ramgopal & Anr. vs. The State of Madhya

Pradesh" and connected matter and has prayed that the present petition be

allowed.

Learned counsel for the State has opposed the present petition for

quashing and submitted that in the present case, the petitioners have already been

convicted.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have also gone

through the case file.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Ramgopal and Anr.'s case

(supra) has discussed in detail the power of the High Court under Section 482

Cr.P.C. along with other issues. The relevant portion of said judgment is

reproduced hereinbelow:-

2. The prosecution version, arising out of FIR dated 3rd November 2000, Police Station Ambah, Morena, M.P. is that on account of certain monetary dispute, the Appellants abused and assaulted Padam Singh (Complainant). Appellant No.1 is

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alleged to have struck the Complainant with a pharsa , which resultantly cut off the little finger of his left hand. Appellant No.2 also struck lathi blows on the body of the Complainant. Appellants were thereafter committed for trial under Sections 294, 323 and 326 read with 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter, 'IPC') and Section 3 of the Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) Act, 1989. Upon analyzing the evidence, the Learned Judicial Magistrate(FC), Ambah, convicted the Appellants under Sections 294, 323 and 326 read with 34 IPC with a maximum sentence of three years under Section 326 read with 34 IPC. xxx xxx xxx

12. The High Court, therefore, having regard to the nature of the offence and the fact that parties have amicably settled their dispute and the victim has willingly consented to the nullification of criminal proceedings, can quash such proceedings in exercise of its inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C., even if the offences are non compoundable. The High Court can indubitably evaluate the consequential effects of the offence beyond the body of an individual and thereafter adopt a pragmatic approach, to ensure that the felony, even if goes unpunished, does not tinker with or paralyze the very object of the administration of criminal justice system.

13. It appears to us that criminal proceedings involving nonheinous offences or where the offences are predominantly of a private nature, can be annulled irrespective of the fact that trial has already been concluded or appeal stands dismissed against conviction. Handing out punishment is not the sole form of delivering justice. Societal method of applying laws evenly is always subject to lawful exceptions. It goes without saying, that the cases where compromise is struck post conviction, the High Court ought to exercise such discretion with rectitude, keeping in view the circumstances surrounding

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the incident, the fashion in which the compromise has been arrived at, and with due regard to the nature and seriousness of the offence, besides the conduct of the accused, before and after the incidence. The touchstone for exercising the extraordinary power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. would be to secure the ends of justice. There can be no hard and fast line constricting the power of the High Court to do substantial justice. A restrictive construction of inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C. may lead to rigid or specious justice, which in the given facts and circumstances of a case, may rather lead to grave injustice. On the other hand, in cases where heinous offences have been proved against perpetrators, no such benefit ought to be extended, as cautiously observed by this Court in Narinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Ors. and Laxmi Narayan (Supra).

xxx xxx xxx

19. We thus sumup and hold that as opposed to Section 320 Cr.P.C. where the Court is squarely guided by the compromise between the parties in respect of offences 'compoundable' within the statutory framework, the extraordinary power enjoined upon a High Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or vested in this Court under Article 142 of the Constitution, can be invoked beyond the metes and bounds of Section 320 Cr.P.C. Nonetheless, we reiterate that such powers of wide amplitude ought to be exercised carefully in the context of quashing criminal proceedings, bearing in mind: (i) Nature and effect of the offence on the conscious of the society; (ii) Seriousness of the injury, if any ; (iii) Voluntary nature of compromise between the accused and the victim; & (iv) Conduct of the accused persons, prior to and after the occurrence of the purported offence and/or other relevant considerations."

A perusal of the abovesaid judgment would show that it has been held

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that the extra ordinary power is enjoined upon a High Court under Section 482

Cr.P.C. can be invoked beyond the metes and bounds of Section 320 Cr.P.C. It has

further been observed that criminal proceedings involving non heinous offences

can be annulled irrespective of the fact that trial has already been concluded and

appeal stands dismissed against conviction and that handing out punishment is not

the sole form of delivering justice. Thus, it goes without saying, that the cases

where compromise is struck post conviction, the High Court ought to exercise

such discretion with rectitude, keeping in view the circumstances surrounding the

incident.

The Coordinate Bench of this Court in Ram Parkash's case (supra),

in case of conviction has allowed the petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C. under

similar circumstances. The relevant portion of the said judgment is reproduced

hereinbelow:

"Prayer in this petition filed under Section 482 Cr.PC is for quashing of the FIR No.225, dated 24.08.2005 (Annexure P1) under Sections 323, 324, 452, 506, 148 and 149 IPC(subsequently added Section 308 and 336 IPC), registered at Police Station Sadar Nawanshahar, DistrictNawanshahar, on the basis of compromise dated 06.02.2015(Annexure P-4) and all other subsequent proceedings arising therefrom including the judgment of conviction and order of sentence, both dated 25.09.2013 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, whereby the accused- petitioners, were convicted and sentenced...

xxx--xxx--xxx Quashing of the aforesaid FIR and setting aside of the impugned judgment and order of sentence dated 25.09.2013 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, is sought on the basis of compromise dated

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06.02.2015 (Annexure P-4), entered into between the parties during the pendency of the appeal before this Court. xxx--xxx--xxx This Court in the case of Sube Singh and another Versus State of Haryana and another 2013(4) RCR (Criminal) 102 has considered the compounding of offences at the appellate stage and has observed that even when appeal against the conviction is pending before the Sessions Court and parties entered into a compromise, the High Court is vested unparallel power under Section 482 Cr.PC to quash criminal proceedings at any stage so as to secure the ends of justice and has observed as under:- "15. The refusal to invoke power under Section 320 CrPC, however, does not debar the High Court from resorting to its inherent power under Section 482 Criminal Procedure Code and pass an appropriate order so as to secure the ends of justice.

16. As regards the doubt expressed by the learned Single Judge whether the inherent power under Section 482 Criminal Procedure Code to quash the criminal proceedings on the basis of compromise entered into between the parties can be invoked even if the accused has been held guilty and convicted by the trial Court, we find that in Dr. Arvind Barsaul etc. v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr., 2008(2) R.C.R. (Criminal) 910 :

(2008)5 SCC 794, the unfortunate matrimonial dispute was settled after the appellant (husband) had been convicted under Section 498A Indian Penal Code and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and his appeal was pending before the first appellate court. The Apex Court quashed the criminal proceedings keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice observing that "continuation of criminal proceedings would be an abuse of the process of law" and also by invoking its power under Article 142 of the Constitution. Since the High Court

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does not possess any power akin to the one under Article 142 of the Constitution, the cited decision cannot be construed to have vested the High Court with such like unparallel power.

17. The magnitude of inherent jurisdiction exercisable by the High Court under Section 482 Criminal Procedure Code with a view to prevent the abuse of law or to secure the ends of justice, however, is wide enough to include its power to quash the proceedings in relation to not only the non compoundable offences notwithstanding the bar under Section 320 Criminal Procedure Code but such a power, in our considered view, is exercisable at any stage save that there is no express bar and invoking of such power is fully justified on facts and circumstances of the case.

18. xxx xxx

19. xxx xxx

20. xxx xxx

21. In the light of these peculiar facts and circumstances where not only the parties but their close relatives (including daughter and son-in-law of respondent No.2) have also supported the amicable settlement, we are of the considered view that the negation of the compromise would disharmonize the relationship and cause a permanent rift amongst the family members who are living together as a joint family.

Nonacceptance of the compromise would also lead to denial of complete justice which is the very essence of our justice delivery system. Since there is no statutory embargo against invoking of power under Section 482 Criminal Procedure Code after conviction of an accused by the trial Court and during pendency of appeal against such conviction, it appears to be a fit case to invoke the inherent jurisdiction and strike down the proceedings subject to certain safeguards. 22. Consequently and for the reasons afore-stated, we allow this petition and set aside the judgement and order dated 16.03.2009 passed in

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Criminal Case No. 425-1 of 2000 of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Hisar, on the basis of compromise dated 08.08.2011 arrived at between them and their step-mother respondent No.2 (Smt. Reshma Devi) w/o late Rajmal qua the petitioners only. As a necessary corollary, the criminal complaint filed by respondent No.2 is dismissed qua the petitioners on the basis of above-stated compromise. Resultantly, the appeal preferred by the petitioners against the above-mentioned order dated 16.03.2009 would be rendered infructuous and shall be sodeclared by the first Appellate Court at Hisar."

Similarly, in the case of Baghel Singh Versus State of Punjab 2014(3) RCR (Criminal) 578, whereby the accused was convicted under Section 326 IPC and was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years, the parties entered into compromise during the pendency of the appeal. This Court while relying upon the judgment of Lal Chand Versus State of Haryana, 2009 (5) RCR (Criminal) 838 and Chhota Singh Versus State of Punjab 1997(2) RCR (Criminal) 392 allowed the compounding of offence in respect of offence under Section 326 IPC at the appellate stage with the observation that it will be a starting point in maintaining peace between the parties, such offence can be compounded.

xxx--xxx--xxx Accordingly, FIR No.225, dated 24.08.2005 (Annexure P-1) under Sections 323, 324, 452, 506, 148 and 149 IPC(subsequently added Section 308 and 336 IPC), registered at Police Station Sadar Nawanshahar, DistrictNawanshahar and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, qua the accused petitioners, are quashed, on the basis of compromise dated 06.02.2015 (Annexure P-4), subject to payment of costs of Rs.25,000/-, to be deposited with the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh. Consequently, the judgment of

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conviction and order of sentence, both dated 25.09.2013 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, are set aside subject to payment of cost."

This Court in a judgment dated 09.03.2017 passed in CRR no.390 of

2017 titled as "Kuldeep Singh vs. Vijay Kumar and another" has held as

under:-

"Reliance can be placed on Kaushalya Devi Massand vs. Roopkishore Khore, 2011 (2) RCR (Criminal) 298 and Damodar S. Prabhu vs. Sayed Babalal, AIR 2010 (SC) 1097. The revisional jurisdiction of the High Court in terms of Section 401 Cr.P.C. would result in bringing about ends of justice between the parties in the event of finding that the compromise is genuine, bonafide and free from any undue influence.

The compromise in question would serve as a everlasting tool in favour of the parties for which indulgence can be given by this Court. The revisional exercise would also be in consonance with the spirit of Section 147 of Negotiable Instruments Act.

The principle as laid down in Damodar S. Prabhu vs. Sayed Babalal, AIR 2010 (SC) 1097, would be squarely fortified if the compromise in question is allowed to be effected between the parties with leave of the Court.

In view of aforesaid, impugned judgment dated 19.01.2017 passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Sri Muktsar Sahib vide which conviction and sentence of the petitioner was upheld stands quashed.

The revision petition is allowed subject to deposit of 15% of the cheque amount as per ratio laid down in Damodar S. Prabhu's case (supra) to State Legal Services Authority, failing which this order will be of no consequence. Necessary consequences to follow."

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Reliance in the abovesaid judgment was also placed upon the

judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Damodar S. Prabhu's case (supra) and

thus, as per settled law, this Court has the power to set aside the judgment of

conviction against the petitioner on the basis of a valid compromise. The

compromise in the present case is genuine and valid.

Keeping in view the law laid down in the abovesaid judgment, more

so the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Ramgopal's, Ram

Parkash's and Kuldeep Singh's cases (supra), the relevant parameters for

consideration as laid down by the said judgment, would be considered by this

Court. Firstly, the occurrence which has been involved in the present petition can

be categorized as purely personal / criminal act of private nature. Secondly, the

injuries which have been caused are simple in nature and do not appear to exhibit

element of mental depravity or commission of an offence of such a serious nature,

that quashing the criminal proceedings of such like cases would override public

interest. Thirdly, in view of the injuries and the offence, it would be immaterial

that the petitioner has been convicted by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Fourthly, the compromise is without any coercion or compulsion and has been

entered into willingly and voluntarily as per the report of District and Sessions

Judge, Patiala. Fifthly, the occurrence took place in the year 2012 and there is

nothing to show that any untoward incident has taken place after the same. Sixthly,

the object of administration of the criminal justice system would remain unaffected

on acceptance of the said amicable settlement between the parties and /or resultant

acquittal of the petitioner.

After perusing the report submitted by the trial Court, this Court finds

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that the matter has been amicably settled between the petitioner(s) and the

complainant(s). Since the matter has been settled and the parties have decided to

live in peace, this Court is of the view that in order to secure the ends of justice,

the criminal proceedings deserve to be quashed.

As per the Full Bench judgment of this Court in "Kulwinder Singh

and others Vs State of Punjab", 2007 (3) RCR (Criminal) 1052, it is held that

High Court has power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to allow the compounding of

non-compoundable offence and quash the prosecution where the High Court is of

the view that the same was required to prevent the abuse of the process of law or

otherwise to secure the ends of justice. This power of quashing is not confined to

matrimonial disputes alone.

In view of the above, the petition is allowed and FIR No.27 dated

29.02.2012, under Sections 323, 324, 201 and 34 of the IPC registered at Police

Station Urban Estate, Patiala and all other consequential proceedings arising

therefrom and judgment of conviction dated 28.09.2017, are quashed qua the

petitioners.

                                                   (AMAN CHAUDHARY)
                                                        JUDGE
November 16, 2022
S.Sharma(syr)
        Whether speaking/reasoned        :        Yes/No
        Whether reportable               :        Yes/No




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