Criminal Misc. M- No. 27807 of 2016 (OM) 1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
Criminal Misc. M- No. 27807 of 2016 (OM)
Date of decision : August 23, 2017
Bira Ram and another …..Petitioners
Versus
State of Punjab and another ….Respondents
CORAM:- HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE LISA GILL
Present: Mr. Abhishek Singla, Advocate
for the petitioners.
Mr. Karanbir Singh, AAG, Punjab.
Ms. Gagandeep Kaur, Advocate for
Mr. Ankush Singla, Advocate
for respondent No.2.
***
LISA GILL, J.
Prayer in this petition is for quashing of FIR No.14 dated
10.06.2011 under Sections 498A, 109 IPC at Police Station Women
Bathinda, District Bathinda and all other consequential proceedings arising
therefrom on the basis of a compromise arrived at between the parties.
The abovesaid FIR was registered at the behest of respondent
No.2 due to matrimonial discord with her husband. The complainant’s
husband is not a party to this petition. It is submitted by learned counsel for
the petitioners that the petitioners are not in touch with their son i.e.
complainant’s husband. The matter has, however, been amicably resolved
with respondent No. 2. With the intervention of respectables and relatives, a
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compromise has been arrived at between the parties, the terms of which
were reduced into writing on 01.07.2016 (Annexure P-2). The present
petition has been filed on the basis of this compromise.
This Court on 26.05.2017 directed the parties to appear before
learned trial court for recording their statements in respect to the above-
mentioned compromise. Learned trial court was directed to submit a report
regarding the genuineness of the compromise, as to whether it has been
arrived at out of the free will and volition of the parties without any
coercion, fear or undue influence. Learned trial court was also directed to
intimate whether any of the petitioners are absconding/proclaimed offenders
and whether any other case is pending against them. Information was
sought as to whether all affected persons are a party to the settlement.
Pursuant to order dated 26.05.2017, the parties appeared before
the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Bathinda and their statements
were recorded on 27.07.2017. Respondent No.2 stated that she was married
to co-accused Ajay on 29.01.2007. The matter has been amicably settled.
The settlement has been arrived at out of her own free will, without any
kind of pressure. It is stated by respondent No. 2 that she has received a sum
of `50,000/- from the accused and she has no other claim against them. It is
categorically stated that she does not have objection, in case the FIR
against the accused petitioners is quashed. Statements of the petitioners in
respect to the compromise were also recorded.
As per report dated 27.07.2017 received from the learned
Judicial Magistrate First Class, Bathinda it is opined that the compromise
between the parties is genuine, voluntary, arrived at out of their own free
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will, coercion or undue influence. Statements of the parties are appended
alongwith the said report.
Learned counsel for respondent No.2 reaffirms and verifies the
factum of settlement between the parties. It is reiterated that respondent
No.2 has no objection to the quashing of the abovementioned FIR against
the accused petitioners.
Learned counsel for the State submits that as the abovesaid FIR
arises out of a matrimonial dispute, the State has no objection to the
quashing of this FIR on the basis of a settlement arrived at between the
parties.
It has been held by this Court in Parambir Singh Gill vs.
Malkiat Kaur 2010 (1) CRCR (Criminal) 256 that the FIR can be quashed
qua some of the accused persons.
In Kulwinder Singh and others versus State of Punjab and
another 2007 (3) R.C.R. (Criminal) 1052, a five member Bench of this
Court has observed as under:-
“The compromise, in a modern society, is the sine qua
non of harmony and orderly behaviour. It is the soul of justice
and if the power under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure
Code is used to enhance such a compromise which, in turn,
enhances the social amity and reduces friction, then it truly is
“finest hour of justice”.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in B.S.Joshi and others v. State
of Haryana, 2003(4) SCC 675 has observed that it becomes the duty of the
Court to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes.
Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of this case, it
would be in the interest of justice to quash the abovesaid FIR as no useful
purpose would be served by continuance of the present proceedings. It will
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merely lead to wastage of precious time of the court and would be an
exercise in futility.
This petition is, thus, allowed and FIR No.14 dated 10.06.2011
under Sections 498A, 109 IPC at Police Station Women Bathinda, District
Bathinda alongwith all consequential proceedings are, hereby, quashed qua
the petitioners.
However, liberty is afforded to respondent No.2 to file
necessary application for revival of the proceedings in the above said FIR,
in case the terms and conditions of settlement between the parties are not
adhered to by the petitioner(s) or it is found that the settlement was a mere
ruse to have the aforesaid FIR quashed.
(Lisa Gill)
August 23, 2017 Judge
rts
Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No
Whether reportable : Yes/No
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