CRM No.M-39809 of 2017
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH
Criminal Misc. No. M- 39809 of 2017(OM)
Date of Decision: December 15 , 2017.
Sukhmander Singh …… PETITIONER(s)
Versus
State of Punjab and another …… RESPONDENT (s)
CORAM:- HON’BLE MRS.JUSTICE LISA GILL
Present: Mr. J.S.Sekhon, Advocate
for the petitioners.
Mr. Rahul Rathore, DAG, Punjab.
Mr. H.R.Bhardwaj, Advocate
for respondent No.2.
*****
LISA GILL, J.
Prayer in this petition is for quashing of FIR No.26 dated
03.02.2013 under Sections 406/498A IPC, registered at Police Station City
Ferozepur, District Ferozepur 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 07.10.2017
(Annexure P2).
It is informed by learned counsel for the petitioners as well as
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respondent No.2 that ex parte divorce granted to petitioner No.1 vide judgment
and decree dated 14.05.2015 has been accepted by respondent No.2. She has
agreed not to challenge the said decree. The settled amount as per the
compromise dated 07.10.2017 has since been handed over to respondent No.2.
This Court on 27.10.2017 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, 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/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 27.10.2017, the parties appeared before the
learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ferozepur and their statements were recorded
on 06.11.2017. Respondent No.2 stated that the matter has been amicably
resolved by her with the petitioners out of her own free will without any
inducement, pressure, threat or coercion. Respondent No.2 further 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 was recorded
as well.
As per report dated 07.11.2017 received from the learned Chief
Judicial Magistrate, Ferozepur, it is opined that the compromise between the
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parties is valid, genuine and voluntary, arrived at between them without any
pressure, threat or coercion from any quarter. None of the petitioners are reported
to be proclaimed offenders. 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 all 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
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wastage of precious time of the court and would be an exercise in futility.
This petition is, thus, allowed and FIR No.26 dated 03.02.2013
under Sections 406/498A IPC, registered at Police Station City Ferozepur,
District Ferozepur alongwith all consequential proceedings are, hereby, quashed.
( LISA GILL )
December 15 , 2017. JUDGE
‘om’
Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No
Whether reportable: Yes/No
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