CRM-M-15331-2025 1 267 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-15331-2025 Date of decision : 14.07.2025 INDERJEET SINGH BAHRA AND OTHERS ...... Petitioners V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS ..... Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE AMARJOT BHATTI Present: Mr. Lajwant Singh Virk, Advocate and Ms. Gurleen Kaur, Advocate for petitioner. Ms. Amrit Kaur Mahir, AAG, Punjab. Mr. Arpan Sabharwal, Advocate for respondents No.2 and 3. **** AMARJOT BHATTI J. (ORAL) 1. Petitioners-Inderjeet Singh Bahra, Amarjeet Singh Bahra, Jaswinder Singh and Manjit Kaur have filed instant petition under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for quashing of FIR No.0023 dated 25.02.2022 under Sections 406 and 498-A of IPC, registered at Police Station Nurmahal, District Jalandhar Rural (Annexure P-1) and all other subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise deeds 26.11.2024 (Annexures P-6 and P-7). 2. As per facts of the case, Maninder Kaur complainant/respondent No.3 filed written complaint against her husband Amarjeet Singh and other members of in-laws family alleging that her marriage was solemnized with Amarjit Singh on 15.10.2019 whereas marriage of his sister Sharda Devi Bahra was performed with Inderjit Singh Bahra on 19.10.2019. Their parents had given gold ornaments, shagun and dowry articles at the time of marriage. After about 1 month, behaviour of accused persons changed towards them. They were taunted MONIKA RANI 2025.07.18 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-15331-2025 2 and harassed for bringing dowry of cheap quality. They used to mock at them on one pretext or the other. In February 2020, her mother-in-law had sent her to parental house to buy furniture and electric goods. Her parents had given Rs.1 lac to purchase said items. After sometime, again there was change in their behaviour. There were constant demands of one article or the other. Both sisters were given beatings and at about 10.00 p.m. were forcibly left at Nurmahal. Both of them were pregnant. The accused persons and her husband’s uncle came to their parents house and fought with them and gave beatings to her family members. Matter was reported to the police. Their behaviour changed for some time. They again started harassment. Her sister gave birth to a son on 09.08.2020 whereas she gave birth to a girl child on 19.09.2020. All expenses were borne by her parents. The harassment and maltreatment continued. Compromises arrived at failed. Finally, both sisters started living in their parental house. All their dowry articles were misappropriated by the accused persons. Both the children were also retained by them. Finally, the matter was reported to the police and present FIR has been registered. 3. Petitioners filed this petition for quashing of aforesaid FIR on the basis of compromise. Vide order dated 20.03.2025, petitioners and respondent Nos.2 and 3 were directed to appear before the trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate for recording their statements on the basis of compromise. Detailed report regarding compromise has been received from the court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Phillaur, dated 12.05.2025. Statements of respondent Nos.2 and 3 have been recorded separately where they confirmed the compromise with petitioners. They confirmed that this compromise has been effected voluntarily, without any fear, pressure, threat, coercion or undue influence and they have no objection regarding quashing of FIR. MONIKA RANI 2025.07.18 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-15331-2025 3 4. Petitioners Inderjeet Singh Bahra, Amarjeet Singh Bahra, Jaswinder Singh and Manjit Kaur also confirmed this fact in their separate statements. Statement of ASI Avtar Singh is also recorded who confirmed that petitioners are not involved or declared as proclaimed offenders in any other criminal case. 5. Therefore, from the report of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Phillaur, it is clear that compromise has been effected between the parties without any pressure, coercion or undue influence. They have mutually settled all their claims arisen from matrimonial dispute. Vide compromise deed dated 26.11.2024 (Anneuxre P-6), both Sharda Devi Bahra and her husband Inderjit Singh Bahra have decided to part ways by filing joint petition under Section 13-B of Hindu Marriage Act. Matter has been settled in Rs.5,50,000/- out of which Rs.2,75,000/- were to be paid by petitioner No.1 to respondent No.2-Sharda Devi Bahra at the time of recording of first motion statements and balance amount of Rs.2,75,000/- will be paid at the time of recording of second motion statements. It is also settled that minor child namely Devesh Singh Vahra will remain in the lawful custody of the second party i.e. his father and the first party would have no objection regarding the custody of the minor child and the first party shall not claim the custody of the minor child in future. Vide compromise deed dated 26.11.2024 (Anneuxre P-7), both Maninder Kaur and her husband Amarjeet Singh Bahra have decided to part ways by filing joint petition under Section 13-B of Hindu Marriage Act. Matter has been settled in Rs.5,50,000/- out of which Rs.2,75,000/- were to be paid by petitioner No.1 to respondent No.3-Maninder Kaur at the time of recording of first motion statements and balance amount of Rs.2,75,000/- will be paid at the time of recording of second motion statements. It is also settled that minor child namely MONIKA RANI 2025.07.18 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-15331-2025 4 Mihita Kaur will remain in the lawful custody of the second party i.e. his father and the first party would have no objection regarding the custody of the minor child and the first party shall not claim the custody of the minor child in future. Thereafter, they will be able to live independently in peace and harmony. Litigation both civil and criminal started between them will come to an end. 6. Gainful reference can be made to the judgment of Larger Bench of Five Judges of this High Court cited in 2007(3) R.C.R. (Criminal) 1052 tilted as Kulwinder Singh and Ors. Vs. State of Punjab and Anr., where it was explained that ‘there can never be any hard and fast category which can be prescribed to enable the court to exercise its power under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. The only principle that can be laid down is the one which has been incorporated in the section itself i.e. to prevent abuse of the process of any court or to secure the ends of justice.’ 7. Therefore, by relying upon the ratio of the aforesaid judgment, no purpose would be served with the continuation of criminal proceedings. Considering these facts, the petition filed by the petitioners is accepted and FIR No.0023 dated 25.02.2022 under Sections 406 and 498-A of IPC, registered at Police Station Nurmahal, District Jalandhar Rural (Annexure P-1) and all other subsequent proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise deeds 26.11.2024 (Annexures P-6 and P-7) are quashed qua petitioners. 8. Pending miscellaneous application, if any, shall also stands disposed of accordingly. (AMARJOT BHATTI ) JUDGE 14.07.2025 monika Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable : Yes/No MONIKA RANI 2025.07.18 16:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document