2025:HHC:45820 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 20158 of 2025 Decided on: 30.12.2025 State of Himachal Pradesh … Petitioner Versus Shashi Bhushan … Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 _____________________________________________________ For the petitioner : Mr. Rajat Chauhan, Assistant AG for petitioner-State. For the respondents : Notice not issued. Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge (Oral) By way of this writ petition, the petitioner-State has assailed the order passed by the National Lok Adalat, dated 14.05.2022, relevant portion whereof reads as under:- “At this stage, victim/informant Seema Devi appeared before the Lok Adalat and stated that she has amicably settled the dispute with the accused and does not want to pursue the present case any further Separate statement of injured/informant to this effect has also been recorded separately and taken on record. Heard and record perused. The perusal of the record goes to show that the present case involves offences punishable under Sections 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 2025:HHC:45820 354, 323, 504 read with Section 34 of IPC. Offence punishable under Section 354 of IPC is compoundable only after obtaining permission of the Court. We have satisfied ourselves as to voluntariness of victim. Further, we are also of a view that the compromise will maintain cordial relations between the parties as well as peace in the society. Moreover, no fruitful purpose shall be met by keeping this trial alive for the reason that parties, especially victim/injured has entered into a compromise with the accused. Therefore, the oral prayer, seeking permission to compound the offence U/S 354 IPC is hereby granted in the present case. Consequently, the accused Shashi Bhushan is acquitted of the offences punishable under Sections 354, 323, 504 read with Section 34 of IPC. The personal as well as surety bond of the accused are discharged. Case property, if any, be disposed off as per law. File after its due completion be consigned to the record room.” 2. Learned Assistant Advocate General has argued that the order passed by the National Lok Adalat is beyond jurisdiction and therefore, the same is liable to be set aside. 3. Having heard learned Assistant Advocate General and having perused the impugned order as well as other documents appended with the petition and taking into consideration the fact that 3 2025:HHC:45820 the order passed by the National Lok Adalat has put a quietus to the dispute between the parties and the order has been passed on the basis of settlement mutually and voluntarily arrived at between the parties, this Court, in the peculiar facts of the case, sees no reason to interfere with the impugned order and this petition is accordingly closed. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge December 30, 2025 (narender)