Research › Search › Judgment

High Court of Himachal Pradesh · body

2025 DAILYLAW 17034 (HP)

KAUSHAL KUMAR v. STATE OF HP AND ANOTHER

CRMMO/729/2024 · 2025-01-04

Bipin Chander Negi

body2025

Judgment text

Extracted from the PDF above. The PDF is authoritative.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MMO No.729/2024. Date of Decision: 04th January 2025 Kaushal Kumar .....Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and another …..Respondents Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bipin Chander Negi, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner : Mr. Pawan Thakur, Advocate. For the Respondents : Mr. Diwakar Dev Sharma, Additional Advocate General for respondent No.1/State. : Mr. Ravinder Singh, Advocate, for respondent No.2. Bipin Chander Negi, Judge (oral). By way of instant petition filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a prayer has been made on behalf of the petitioner for quashing of FIR No.207 of 2022 dated 18.09.2022, under Section 313 of Indian Penal Code, registered at Police Station, Baddi, Solan H.P.; as well as consequent judicial proceedings arising out of the same. 2. The averments contained in the petition, which are duly supported by an affidavit reveal that on 18.09.2022, complainant/respondent No.2 had got a FIR registered against the petitioner, under Section 313 of Indian Penal Code. However, during the pendency of proceedings, the dispute inter se parties has been settled amicably vide compromise dated 16.07.2024, copy whereof is appended alongwith the present petition as Annexure P-2. 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 3. In pursuance to orders dated 27.08.2024, 30.09.2024, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent/State has placed on record letter dated 19.12.2024 issued by the Superintendent of Police, District Baddi. A perusal of the same categorically reflects that respondent No.2 and present petitioner have got married. The said factum of marriage and the marriage certificate have been duly inquired/verified by the respondent/State. 4. Statement of respondent No.2 stands recorded on 28.08.2024.. She has categorically stated that she has entered into compromise of her own free will, volition and without any pressure. According to respondent No.2, the dispute inter se parties stands amicably settled. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record carefully. 6. This Court sees no impediment in quashing the FIR in issue, as the dispute inter se parties stands amicably resolved. 7. From a perusal of Section 359 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (320 Cr.PC), it is evident that the offence under Section 313 of the Indian Penal Code is non-compoundable. 8. In this respect, attention of this Court has been drawn to a case titled Narinder Singh and others vs. State of Punjab and another reported as (2014) 6 Supreme Court Cases, 466, wherein the Apex Court has categorically laid down that the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases, which are not compoundable, where the parties have amicably settled the matter inter se them. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with 3 caution, in cases where settlement is arrived at. The guiding factors being securing the ends of justice or to prevent an abuse of the process of any Court. 9. Further, the Apex Court in Parbatbhai Aahir alias Parbathbhai Bhimsinghbhai Karmur and others vs. State of Gujarat and another, (2017) 9 SCC 641 summarizing the broad principles regarding inherent powers of the High Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has recognized that these powers are not inhibited by provisions of Section 320 Cr.P.C. 10. In view of the fact that the parties have entered into compromise permitting the proceedings in pursuance to the aforesaid FIR sought to be quashed to continue would only result into an abuse of process and the same would not secure the ends of justice. 11. Accordingly, the petition is allowed. FIR No.207 of 2022 dated 18.09.2022, under Section 313 of Indian Penal Code, registered at Police Station, Baddi, Solan H.P.; is quashed and consequent judicial proceedings arising out of the same are also quashed. 12. The petition stands disposed of in the above terms, so also the pending application(s), if any. (Bipin Chander Negi) Judge 4th January, 2025 (tarun)