CRM No.M-9453 of 2016
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH
Criminal Misc. No. M- 9453 of 2016(OM)
Date of Decision: November 15 , 2017.
Tejinder Singh …… PETITIONER(s)
Versus
State of Punjab and others …… RESPONDENT (s)
CORAM:- HON’BLE MRS.JUSTICE LISA GILL
Present: Mr. Amandeep Singh, Advocate
for the petitioner.
Mr. Karanbir Singh, AAG, Punjab.
Mr. S.P.Singh, Advocate for
Mr. Simranjit Singh, Advocate
for respondents No.2 and 3.
*****
LISA GILL, J.
Prayer in this petition is for quashing of FIR No.145 dated
01.10.2014 under Sections 406/498A IPC registered at Police Station Women,
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 between her daughter i.e., respondent No.3 and the
petitioner. With the intervention of respectables and relatives, a compromise
was arrived at between the parties. The parties decided to bury the hatchet and
live in peace and harmony. The petitioner and respondent No.3 have resumed
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cohabitation and are living together in their matrimonial home.
This Court on 22.11.2016 directed the parties to appear before
learned trial court/Illaqa Magistrate for recording their statements in respect to
the above-mentioned compromise. Learned trial court/Illaqa Magistrate was
directed to submit a report regarding the genuineness of the compromise arrived
at between the parties and intimate whether any other case or PO proceedings are
pending against either of the parties.
Pursuant to order dated 22.11.2016, the parties appeared before the
learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Patiala and their statements were
recorded on 22.12.2016. Joint statement of respondents No.2 and 3 was
recorded to the effect that the matter has been compromised with the accused
petitioner. Respondent No.3, it is stated, was residing at her matrimonial home
alongwith the petitioner. The settlement, it is stated, has been arrived at
voluntarily, without any pressure, threat or coercion. Respondents No.2 and 3
stated that they have no objection in case the abovesaid FIR against the accused
petitioner is quashed. Statement of the petitioner in respect to the settlement was
recorded as well.
As per report dated 16.01.2017 received from the learned Judicial
Magistrate First Class, Patiala, it is opined that the compromise between the
parties is genuine and executed between them out of their free will and consent
without any threat or pressure. Petitioner, who is the sole accused in this case, is
not reported to be a proclaimed offender. Statements of the parties are appended
alongwith the said report.
Learned counsel for respondents No.2 and 3 reaffirms and verifies
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the factum of settlement between the parties as well as resumption of
matrimonial ties between the petitioner and respondent No.3. It is stated that
both of the them even as on date are living together in their matrimonial home. It
is reiterated that respondents No.2 and 3 have no objection to the quashing of the
abovementioned FIR against the petitioner.
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.145 dated 01.10.2014
under Sections 406/498A IPC registered at Police Station Women, District
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Patiala 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
petitioner or it is found that the settlement was a mere ruse to have the aforesaid
FIR quashed.
( LISA GILL )
November 15 , 2017. JUDGE
‘om’
Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No
Whether reportable: Yes/No
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