IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MMO No.1035/2024. Date of Decision: 02nd January 2025 Munish Gupta .....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. Anil Jaswal, Advocate. For the Respondents : Mr. Diwakar Dev Sharma, Additional Advocate General for respondent No.1/State. : Mr. K.B. Khajuria, 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.28 of 2023 dated 06.05.2023, under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Act, 1989, registered at Police Station, Sujanpur, District Hamirpur 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 06.05.2023, complainant/respondent No.2 had got a FIR registered against the petitioner, under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Act, 1989. However, during the pendency of proceedings, the dispute inter se parties has been 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 settled amicably vide compromise dated 03.10.2024, copy whereof is appended alongwith the present petition as Exhibit P-1. 3. In pursuance to the previous order, a sum of Rs.75,000/- stands deposited by respondent No.2 to the concerned authority i.e. District Welfare Officer, Hamirpur. Receipt in this respect has been shown by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent No.2. 4. Statement of respondent No.2 stands recorded. 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, it is evident that the offence under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Act, 1989 are 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.28 of 2023 dated 06.05.2023, under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Act, 1989, registered at Police Station, Sujanpur, District Hamirpur 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 2nd January, 2025 (tarun)