Judgment · High Court

Heard.

ADMIT. Heard finally by consent of learned counsel appearing for the parties.

By these applications, the applicants are seeking quashing of the FIR in connection with Crime No. 129 of2026, registered at Non-applicant/Police Station for the offence punishable under Sections 189(2), 189(3), 296,324(4) and 351 (2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 25(4) of the Arms Act, 1959.

The crime is registered on the basis of a report lodged by non-applicant No.2, on an allegation that onrkn 28apl553.2026+1.odt310/02/2026, when he opened his pan stall, at that time present applicants along with the other eight to ten persons came there, abused him in filthy language, and took out the knife. The said knife fell from the hands of one of the accused and caused injury to the complainant. On the basis of the said report, the police have registered the offence against the present applicants.

During pendency of these applications, the parties arrived at a settlement. The settlement terms are filed on record, which show that the dispute between the parties pertains to an outcome of misunderstanding and unnecessary aggravation of the dispute. The dispute is not heinous in nature and therefore, seeks permission to settle the dispute in the matter.

The contents of the settlement are verified personally from the complainant. He agreed and accepted the said terms, and submitted that he has no grievance against the present applicants.

Admittedly, the offence punishable under Section25(4) of the Arms Act is non-compoundable. The offence under Section 351(2) is also non-compoundable one.

Learned counsel for the applicants placed reliance on the decision of the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Narinder Singh and others Vs State of Punjab and another reported (2014) 6 SCC 466, wherein the Hon’ble Apex Courthas laid down the principles regarding quashing of the FIR inrkn 28apl553.2026+1.odt4view of the settlements. It is observed by the Hon’ble ApexCourt that power conferred under Section 482 of the Code isto be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offence under Section 320 of the Code. Nodoubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution. It is further held that when the parties have reach the settlement and on that basis, petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is filed, the guiding factor in such cases would beto secure ends of justice, and to prevent abuse of the processof the Court.

Admittedly, such power, in view of the above said judgment, is not to be exercised in those prosecution which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have serious impact on society. Similarly, offences alleged to have been committed under special statutes like the Prevention of Corruption Act, or offences committed by a Public Servant while working in that capacity, are not to be quashed merely on the basis a compromise between the victim and the offender.

In view of the parameters laid down by the Hon'bleApex Court, the present crime is not heinous in nature. Thereis no element of mental depravity or offences like murder, rkn 28apl553.2026+1.odt5rape, dacoity, etc., and therefore, the application deserves tobe allowed. In view of that, I proceed to pass the followingorder.ORDERa) Criminal Application (APL) No. 553 of 2026 and Criminal Application (APL)No. 361 of 2026 areallowed.b) The FIR in connection with Crime No. 129 of2026, registered at Non-applicant/Police Stationfor the offences punishable under Sections189(2), 189(3), 296, 324(4), and 351 (2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section25(4) of the Arms Act, 1959, is hereby quashed and set aside to the extent of the present applicants, subject to payment of costs of Rs.10,000/- by each applicant. c]The costs of Rs. 10,000/- to be deposited in the Public Welfare Account No. 129712010001014,IFSC Code :UBINo812978, Branch: Union of India High Court Branch. d]The order will come into effect after compliance of depositing the costs.

Pending application(s), if any, stands disposed of. (URMILA JOSHI PHALKE , J. )rkn