IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MMO No.1010/2024. Date of Decision: 10th January, 2025. Gurpreet Singh .....Petitioner. Versus State of Himachal Pradesh and another …..Respondents. Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Bipin Chander Negi, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioners: Mr. Pawan Gautam, Advocate. For the Respondents: Mr. Manish Thakur, Deputy Advocate General, for respondent No.1. Mr. Bhim Raj Sharma, Advocate, for respondent No.2. Bipin Chander Negi, Judge (oral). By way of instant petition filed under Section 528 of the BNSS, a prayer has been made on behalf of the petitioner for quashing of FIR No.0170 of 2024 dated 02.10.2024, under Sections 281 and 125(a) of BNS, 2023, registered at Police Station Shimla West, District Shimla H.P., as well as consequential judicial proceedings arising out of the same. 2. The averments contained in the petition, which are duly supported by an affidavit reveal that on 02.10.2024, complainant/respondent No.2 had got a FIR registered against the petitioner, under Sections 281 and 125(a) of BNS, 2023. However, during the pendency of proceedings, the dispute inter se parties has been settled amicably vide compromise dated 05.10.2024, copy whereof is appended alongwith the present petition as Exhibit P-1. 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 3. Statement of complainant/respondent No.2 stands recorded. He has categorically stated that he has entered into a compromise of his own free will, volition and without any pressure. According to the complainant/respondent No.2, the dispute inter se parties stands amicably settled. 4. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record carefully. 5. This Court sees no impediment in quashing the FIR in issue, as the dispute inter se parties stands amicably resolved. 6. From a perusal of Section 359 of the BNSS (320 Cr.PC), it is evident that the offence under Section 281 of the BNS, 2023 is not compoundable. 7. 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 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. 8. 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 3 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. 9. 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. 10. Accordingly, the petition is allowed. FIR No.0170 of 2024 dated 02.10.2024, under Sections 281 and 125(a) of BNS, 2023, registered at Police Station Shimla West, District Shimla H.P., is quashed and consequent judicial proceedings arising out of the same are also quashed. 11. The petition stands disposed of in the above terms, so also the pending application(s), if any. (Bipin Chander Negi) Judge 10th January, 2025 (tarun)