CRM No.M-8755 of 2017
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH
Criminal Misc. No. M- 8755 of 2017(OM)
Date of Decision: May 02 , 2018.
Tarun Kumar and another …… PETITIONER(s)
Versus
State of Punjab and another …… RESPONDENT (s)
CORAM:- HON’BLE MRS.JUSTICE LISA GILL
Present: Mr. Hardeep Singh, Advocate
for the petitioners.
Mr. K.S.Aulakh, DAG, Punjab.
Mr. Bikram Chaudhary, Advocate
for the complainant/respondent No.2.
*****
LISA GILL, J.
Prayer in this petition is for quashing of FIR No.92 dated 01.09.2016
under Sections 406/498A IPC, registered at Police Station Women Cell, Patiala,
District Patiala 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 24.11.2016
(Annexure P2). Petitioner No.1 and respondent No.2 decided to part ways.
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Learned counsel for the petitioners and respondent No.2 inform that
petition under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 has been allowed on
17.07.2017 (Annexure P4). The entire settled amount has since been received by
respondent No.2.
This Court on 11.07.2017 directed the parties to appear before
learned Illaqa Magistrate for recording their statements in respect to the above-
mentioned compromise. Learned Illaqa Magistrate 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 Illaqa Magistrate 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 11.07.2017, the parties appeared before the
learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Patiala and their statements were
recorded on 17.07.2017. Respondent No.2 stated that she has compromised the
matter with both the petitioners out of her own free will without any pressure,
threat or coercion and has no objection in case the abovesaid FIR against the
accused petitioners is quashed. Joint statement of the petitioners in respect to the
settlement was recorded as well.
As per report dated 18.07.2017 received from the learned Judicial
Magistrate First Class, Patiala, it is opined that the compromise between the
parties is genuine, arrived at out of the free will and consent of the parties
without any threat or pressure. None of the petitioners are reported to be
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proclaimed offenders or involved in any other criminal case. 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 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.
This petition is, thus, allowed and FIR No.92 dated 01.09.2016
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under Sections 406/498A IPC, registered at Police Station Women Cell, Patiala,
District Patiala alongwith all consequential proceedings are, hereby, quashed.
( LISA GILL )
May 02 , 2018. JUDGE
‘om’
Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No
Whether reportable: Yes/No
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