CRM No.M-12048 of 2017
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH
Criminal Misc. No. M- 12048 of 2017(OM)
Date of Decision: October 10 , 2017.
Sumit Gupta and another …… PETITIONER(s)
Versus
State of Punjab and another …… RESPONDENT (s)
CORAM:- HON’BLE MRS.JUSTICE LISA GILL
Present: Mr. Kushagra Mahajan, Advocate
for the petitioners.
Mr. Rahul Rathore, DAG, Punjab.
Mr. Jasjit Virk, Advocat for
Mr. Arjun Veer Sharma, Advocate
for the complainant/respondent No.2.
*****
LISA GILL, J.
Prayer in this petition is for quashing of FIR No.69 dated
14.08.2015 under Section 498A IPC registered at Police Station Women Cell,
District Amritsar 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 instance of respondent No.2
due to matrimonial discord with her husband i.e., petitioner No.1. With the
intervention of respectables and relatives, a compromise was arrived at between
the parties, the terms of which were reduced into writing on 29.03.2017
(Annexure P2).
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Petitioner No.1 and respondent No.2 decided to bury the hatchet and
have started living together. It is informed that they are residing at their
matrimonial home alongwith their minor child since April, 2017.
This Court on 24.07.2017 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 24.07.2017, the parties appeared before the
learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Amritsar and their statements were
recorded on 05.09.2017. Respondent No.2 stated that the matter has been
amicably resolved by her with both the accused petitioners. The settlement, it is
stated, has been arrived at out of her own free will, without any pressure,
coercion, allurement or threat. It is further stated that she is now residing
peacefully alongwith her husband and does not wish to pursue this matter any
longer. Respondent No.2 stated that she has no objection in case the abovesaid
FIR against the accused petitioners is quashed. Statements of the petitioners in
respect to the settlement were recorded as well.
As per report dated 19.09.2017 received from the learned Judicial
Magistrate First Class, Amritsar, it is opined that settlement between the parties
has been arrived at out of their free will without any kind of coercion. None of
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the petitioners are reported to be proclaimed offenders. Statements of the parties
are appended alongwith the said report.
Learned counsel appearing 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 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
the FIR in question as well as all consequential proceedings on the basis of a
settlement arrived at between the parties.
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 merely lead to
wastage of precious time of the court and would be an exercise in futility.
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This petition is, thus, allowed and FIR No.69 dated 14.08.2015
under Section 498A IPC registered at Police Station Women Cell, District
Amritsar alongwith all consequential proceedings are, hereby, quashed.
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
petitioners or it is found that the settlement was a mere ruse to have the aforesaid
FIR quashed.
( LISA GILL )
October 10 , 2017. JUDGE
‘om’
Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No
Whether reportable: Yes/No
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