2026:HHC:25707 _____________________________ 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MMO No. 350 of 2026 Reserved on: 19.06.2026 Date of Decision: 30.06.2026 Ramesh Chand & others ...Petitioners Versus State of H.P. & others ...Respondents Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? No. For the petitioners : Mr. Sanjay Jaswal, Advocate, for the petitioners. For the respondents : Mr. Ajit Sharma, Deputy Advocate General, for respondent No.1/State. : Ms. Vandana Kumari, Advocate, for respondents No.2 and 3. Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioners have filed the present petition for quashing of FIR No.126 of 2020, dated 24.08.2020, registered at Police Station Jawali, District Kangra, H.P. for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 452 and 323 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and consequential proceedings arising therefrom based on the compromise effected between the parties. 2 2026:HHC:25707 2. It has been asserted that the matter has been reconciled between the parties. The informant does not want to proceed further with the matter after the compromise; no fruitful purpose would be served by continuing with the petition. Hence, it was prayed that the present petition be allowed and the FIR and consequential proceedings arising out of it be quashed. 3. Statements of Informant Neelam Kumari and victim Ricky were recorded on 05.05.2026, in which they stated that they had entered into a compromise with the accused voluntarily without any influence from any person and they do not want to proceed further with the matter after the compromise. 4. Heard. 5. The offences punishable under Section 323 of the IPC are compoundable under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 320(3) of the CrPC provides that when the offence is compoundable, and a 3 2026:HHC:25707 person is liable by virtue of Section 34, the offence may be compounded. Therefore, the offence punishable under Section 323 read with Section 34 of IPC, can be compounded based on a compromise between the parties. This Court had already quashed the F.I.R. registered for the commission of an offence punishable under Section 452 of IPC in Prashant Dharmani & others vs. State of H.P. & others 2023(1) Him.L.R.241, Ameen vs State of H.P. & others 2023(1) Him L.R.375, Avinash Singh Rana vs State of H.P. & others 023 STPL 3181 H.P and Chaman Lal vs State of H.P.Latest HLJ 2023(HP)(1)213 based on compromise and these judgments are binding on this Court. 7. Consequently, the present petition is allowed and F.I.R. No.126 of 2020, dated 24.08.2020, registered at Police Station Jawali, District Kangra, H.P. for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 452 and 323 read with Section 34 of IPC is quashed and consequential proceedings pending/initiated against the petitioners-accused in pursuance thereto are also quashed. 8. Petition stands disposed of in the above terms, so also pending applications, if any. 4 2026:HHC:25707 9. Parties are permitted to produce a copy of this judgment, downloaded from the webpage of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, before the authorities concerned, and the said authorities shall not insist on the production of a certified copy but, if required, may verify passing of the order from Website of the High Court. (Rakesh Kainthla) Judge 30th June, 2026 (ravinder)