CRM-M-47275-2017 -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND
HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
CRM-M-47275-2017
Date of decision: 22.01.2018
Sandeep …Petitioner
Versus
State of Punjab and others …Respondents
CORAM: HON’BLE MS. JUSTICE JAISHREE THAKUR
Present:- Mr. Nagar Singh, Advocate
for the petitioner.
Mr. A. S. Sandhu, Addl. A.G., Punjab.
Mr. Mohan Singh Chauhan, Advocate
for respondents No. 2 and 3.
JAISHREE THAKUR, J. (Oral)
1. This petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure seeking quashing of FIR No. 30 dated 23.03.2016,
registered under Section 376 IPC and Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act at
Police Station District Naya Gaon, District S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali)
(Annexure P-1) and all subsequent proceedings arising therefrom in view of
the compromise dated 15.05.2017 (Annexure P-2) entered into between the
parties.
2. In brief, the facts of the case are that the aforesaid FIR came to
be registered at the behest of the complainant/respondent No. 2 in which it
was stated that she is working as Sweeper in different houses and her
husband Jatinder is working as Sewer Man in a Paying Guest Home. She
has four daughters and one son. Her daughter, the prosecutrix, is aged about
16 years and studying in 7th Class at Government High School, Sector 11,
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Chandigarh. It was alleged in the FIR that the petitioner herein committed
rape with the prosecutrix on the pretext of marriage, on account of which
the prosecutrix conceived and has given birth to a child. However, now with
the intervention of respectable persons, the dispute has been amicably
settled between the parties and they have entered into a compromise. In fact,
the petitioner has now solemnized marriage with the prosecutrix and they
residing together happily.
3. By an order dated 13.12.2017, the parties were directed to
appear before the trial Court so that their statement could be recorded
regarding the genuineness of the compromise. The parties appeared before
the District Sessions Judge, S.A.S. Nagar. In pursuance of the direction, a
report has been received from the District Sessions Judge, S.A.S. Nagar,
stating that the compromise arrived at between the parties is without any
pressure or coercion from any one and the same appears to be genuine one.
It is also reported that no PO proceeding is pending against either of the
parties and the petitioner has performed marriage with the prosecutrix and
they are living together happily.
4. In normal circumstances, this Court would not entertain a
matter when the non compoundable offences are heinous and serious in
nature. In the instant case, the offence complained of includes an offence
punishable under Section 376 IPC which is an offence of grave nature. This
Court is aware of the fact that time and again it has been held that an
offence under Section 376 IPC is a grievous offence and considered as an
offence against the society at large and thus, such matters should not be
compromised. In the eyes of law, the offence of rape is serious and non-
compoundable and the Courts should not in ordinary circumstances interfere
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and quash the FIR that has been registered.
5. In a judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in
Narinder Singh and others vs. State of Punjab and another, 2014(6) SCC
466, the Hon’ble Apex Court has laid down certain principles and guidelines
which should be kept in mind while quashing of FIRs pertaining to
noncompoundable offence. For ready reference paragraphs No. 29.2 and
29.5 are reproduced as under :-
“29.2. When the parties have reached the settlement and on
that basis petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is
filed, the guiding factor in such cases would be to secure :
(i) ends of justice, or
(ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court. While
exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion
on either of the aforesaid two objectives.
29.5. While exercising its powers, the High Court is to
examine as to whether the possibility of conviction is
remote and bleak and continuation of criminal cases would
put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and
extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing
the criminal case.”
6. Even in a judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in
Madan Mohan Abbot vs State Of Punjab, 2008 (4) SCC 582, it has been
held that it is advisable that in disputes where the question involved is of a
purely personal nature, the Court should ordinarily accept the terms of the
compromise even in criminal proceedings. Relevant paragraph of the said
judgment is reproduced herein below :-
“5. It is on the basis of this compromise that the
application was filed in the High Court for quashing of
proceedings which has been dismissed by the impugned
order. We notice from a reading of the FIR and the other3 of 5
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CRM-M-47275-2017 -4-documents on record that the dispute was purely a personal
one between two contesting parties and that it arose out of
extensive business dealings between them and that there
was absolutely no public policy involved in the nature of
the allegations made against the accused. We are,
therefore, of the opinion that no useful purpose would be
served in continuing with the proceedings in the light of the
compromise and also in the light of the fact that the
complainant has, on 11th January 2004, passed away and
the possibility of a conviction being recorded has thus to be
ruled out.
6. We need to emphasize that it is perhaps advisable that in
disputes where the question involved is of a purely personal
nature, the Court should ordinarily accept the terms of the
compromise even in criminal proceedings as keeping the
matter alive with no possibility of a result in favour of the
prosecution is a luxury which the Courts, grossly
overburdened as they are, cannot afford and that the time
so saved can be utilized in deciding more effective and
meaningful litigation. This is a common sense approach to
the matter based on ground of realities and bereft of the
technicalities of the law.”
7. In the judgment rendered in Gian Singh vs State of Punjab
Anr, reported as 2012(10) SCC 303 the basic principle of law as laid down
is that where offences are purely private in nature and do not concern public
policy, the power to quash proceedings involving non-compoundable
offences on the basis of compromise can be exercised.
8. Therefore, while relying upon the ratios of the aforesaid
judgments, this Court is of the view that the compromise which has been
entered into for quashing of an offence under Section 376 IPC on the basis
of the compromise should be accepted. As has been held in Narinder Singh
Ors. case (supra) those cases where a settlement is arrived at immediately
after the alleged commission of the offence, the High Court may be liberal
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in accepting the settlement to quash the criminal proceedings. Moreover, the
petitioner has now solemnized marriage with the prosecutrix and they are
said to be residing together happily.
9. Consequently, keeping in view the peculiar facts and
circumstances of the present case and in view of the above ratios of law, this
petition is allowed and the FIR No. 30 dated 23.03.2016, registered under
Section 376 IPC and Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act at Police Station
District Naya Gaon, District S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) (Annexure P-1) and all
subsequent proceedings arising out of the same are quashed qua the
petitioner herein.
22.01.2018 (JAISHREE THAKUR)
Waseem Ansari JUDGE
Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No
Whether reportable Yes/No
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