Prince Sodhi @ Prince Kumar and Another v. State of Punjab and Another

JAGMOHAN BANSAL  , J. (Oral) The petitioners through instant petition under Section 482 Cr.P.C., on the basis of compromise, are seeking quashing of FIR No.34 dated 28.05.2018 (Annexure P-1) under Sections 406 and 498A of IPC, registered   at   Police   Station   City   Women   Police   Commissionerate Amritsar and all other consequential proceedings arising therefrom. In terms of orders of this Court, learned Judicial Magistrate st1  Class, Amritsar has submitted his report. It inter alia confirms that all the parties appeared before the Court and tendered their statements qua compromise arrived at between the parties; the compromise is voluntary, genuine and without any coercion; no accused is a proclaimed offender; all the accused as well complainant have entered into compromise. CRM-M-3444-2023 -2-2023:PHHC:047391 Learned State counsel on instruction from Investigating Officer submitted that State has no objection if FIR and consequent proceedings, in view of compromise, are quashed. Learned counsel for the parties submitted that vide judgment and decree dated 16.03.2023 (Annexure P-3) passed by Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Amritsar marriage of the parties stands dissolved. Relying upon its earlier judgments in 'Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab and others,  (2012) 10 SCC 303' and 'The State of Madhya Pradesh Vs. Laxmi Narayan and others (2019) 5 SCC 688', a two Judge Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in 'Ramgopal and another Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh 2021 SCC online SC 834' while dealing with power of High Court under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. to quash non-compoundable   offences   on   the   basis   of   compromise   between   the disputing parties has held: "11. True it is that offences which are 'non-compoundable' cannot be compounded by a criminal court   in   purported   exercise   of   its   powers   under Section 320  Cr.P.C. Any such attempt by the court would amount to alteration, addition and modification of Section 320 Cr.P.C, which is the exclusive domain of Legislature. There is no patent or latent ambiguity in the language of  Section 320  Cr.P.C., which may justify   its   wider   interpretation   and   include   such offences in the docket of 'compoundable' offences which   have   been   consciously   kept   out   as   non-compoundable. Nevertheless, the limited jurisdiction to compound an offence within the framework of Section   320  Cr.P.C.   is   not   an   embargo   againstASGAR ALI CRM-M-3444-2023 -3-2023:PHHC:047391 invoking inherent powers by the High Court vested in it under Section 482 Cr.P.C. The High Court, keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of a case and for justifiable reasons can press Section 482 Cr.P.C. in aid to prevent abuse of the process of any Court and/or to secure the ends of justice.

¶12The 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.

¶13It appears to us that criminal proceedings involving non-heinous offences or where the offences are pre-dominantly 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 the incident, the fashion in which the compromise has been arrived at, and with due regard to the nature and seriousness of CRM-M-3444-2023 -4-2023:PHHC:047391 the offence, besides the conduct of the accused, before and after the incidence. The touchstone for exercising the extra-ordinary 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).

¶14In other words, grave or serious offences or offences which involve moral turpitude or have a harmful effect on the social and moral fabric of the society or involve matters concerning public policy, cannot be construed between two individuals or groups only, for such offences have the potential to impact the society at large. Effacing abominable offences through quashing process would not only send a wrong signal to the community but may also accord an undue benefit to unscrupulous habitual or professional offenders, who can secure a 'settlement' through duress, threats, social boycotts, bribes or other dubious means. It is well said that "let no guilty man escape, if it can be avoided." -rom the perusa" of the enc"osed -!R, report of the 'ria" *ourt and compromise arrived at  et:een the parties, it transpires that contestin# parties have amica "y reso"ved their issue, thus, no usefu" CRM-M-3444-2023 -5-2023:PHHC:047391 purpose would be served by continuing the proceedings. The alleged offences are of pre-dominantly private in nature and no moral turpitude or interest of public at large is involved. There appears to be no chance of conviction, the continuance of the proceedings would just waste valuable judicial time and it is well-known fact that courts are already over burdened. In view of above facts and circumstances, the present petition deserves to be allowed and accordingly allowed. FIR No.34 dated 28.05.2018 (Annexure P-1) under Sections 406 and 498A of IPC, registered at Police Station City Women Police Commissionerate   Amritsar   and   all   other   consequential   proceedings arising therefrom are quashed qua the petitioner(s). There is no representation on behalf of respondent No.2. She is at liberty to move an appropriate application, if something survives.

( JAGMOHAN BANSAL ) JUDGE

29.03.2023 Ali

CRM-M-3444-2023 -1- 2023:PHHC:047391 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-3444-2023 Date of Decision:29.03.2023 PRINCE SODHI @ PRINCE KUMAR AND ANOTHER ......... Petitioners Versus STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER ..... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAGMOHAN BANSAL Present : Mr. Vipin Mahajan, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Shiva Khurmi, AAG, Haryana assisted by ASI Satpal Singh. None for respondent No.2. ****