Himachal Pradesh High Court
_____________________________________________________________________ vs State Of Himachal Pradesh And Others on 31 October, 2018
Author: Sandeep Sharma
Bench: Sandeep Sharma
IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA
CrMMO No. 330 of 2018
Decided on: October 31, 2018
_____________________________________________________________________
Sh. Narinder Pal Singh .........Petitioner
.
Versus
State of Himachal Pradesh and others ...Respondents
_____________________________________________________________________
Coram
Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma, Judge.
Whether approved for reporting1?
_____________________________________________________________________
For the petitioner: Mr. Ashwani Dhiman, Advocate.
For the respondents: Mr. S.C. Sharma, Mr. Dinesh Thakur and
Mr. Sanjeev Sood, Additional Advocates
r General, for respondents No.1 and 2.
Mr. Shanti Swaroop, Advocate, for
respondents No. 3 and 4.
_____________________________________________________________________
Sandeep Sharma, J. (Oral)
By way of present petition filed under S. 482 CrPC read with Article 227 of the Constitution of India, prayer has been made on behalf of the petitioner-accused (hereinafter, 'accused') for quashing of proceedings in criminal case titled State vs. Narinder Pal Singh pending in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Court No. 8, Shimla in pursuance to FIR No. 117/16 dated 16.5.2016 under Ss. 279, 337 and 338 IPC and Ss. 187, 181 and 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act registered at Police Station Shimla (West), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
2. Averments contained in the petition suggest that the FIR detailed herein above came to be lodged at the behest of respondent Whether reporters of the Local papers are allowed to see the judgment? .
::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -2-No. 3, Raj Pal, who alleged that his son respondent No. 4-Aman Raj, received injuries on 15.5.2016 on account of rash and negligent driving on the part of accused. As per material available on record, .
accident had occurred near Cecil Hotel, Chaura Maidan, Shimla on 15.5.2016, wherein respondent No.4 suffered injuries. After completion of investigation, police presented Challan in the competent Court of law. It appears that during the pendency of the proceedings before the learned Court below, parties entered into compromise on 3.6.2016, wherein they resolved to settle their dispute amicably inter se them, as is evident from Annexure P-2, available at page-52 of paper-book.
3. On 30.10.2018, Mr. Ashwani Dhiman, learned counsel representing the petitioner, while inviting attention of this Court to the aforesaid compromise, contended that since parties have resolved to settle their dispute amicably, proceedings pending before Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Court No. 8, Shimla in case titled State vs. Narinder Pal Singh can be ordered to be quashed and set aside.
Though, having carefully perused the averments contained in the compromise, this court was convinced and satisfied that the parties have entered into compromise, which factum was otherwise acknowledged by Mr. Shanti Swaroop, learned counsel representing the respondents No.3 and 4, but, this court, solely with a view to ascertain the genuineness and correctness of the averments contained in the compromise, adjourned the matter for today, with the direction to respondent Nos. 3 and 4 to remain present in the court.
::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -3-4. Today, during proceedings of the case before this Court, respondent Nos. 3 and 4, who were duly identified by Mr. Shanti Swaroop, learned counsel representing them, stated on oath before .
this court that they have entered into compromise dated 3.6.2016 with the accused, wherein, with the intervention of the respectable persons of area, they have resolved the dispute with the accused, as such, they do not want to prosecute the criminal proceedings against the petitioner pending in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Court No. 8. Both, respondents No.3 and 4 stated on oath before this court that they have entered into compromise (Annexure P-2) with the accused without there being any external pressure and compromise bears their signatures. Respondents No.3 and 4 further stated that they have no objection in case, prayer made in the petition is accepted and criminal proceedings pending against the accused are quashed and set aside consequently acquitting the accused of the aforesaid offences. Their statements recorded on oath are taken on record and made part of the court file.
5. Mr. Dinesh Thakur, learned Additional Advocate General, after having carefully gone through the compromise placed on record, which otherwise has been admitted by respondents No.3 and 4 during proceedings of the case before this Court, contended that since parties have themselves resolved to settle the matter, prayer made in the present petition can be accepted.
6. Since the instant petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C, this Court deems it fit to consider the same in light of the ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -4- judgment passed by Hon'ble Apex Court in Narinder Singh and others versus State of Punjab and another (2014)6 SCC 466, whereby the Hon'ble Apex Court has formulated guidelines for .
accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings. Perusal of judgment referred to above clearly depicts that in para 29.1, Hon'ble Apex Court has returned the findings that power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable and where the parties have settled the matter between themselves, however, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with great caution. Para Nos. 29 to 29.7 of the judgment are reproduced as under:-
"29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down the following principles by which the High Court would be guided in giving adequate treatment to the settlement between the parties and exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings:
29.1 Power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -5- compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution.
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 under Section 482 Cr.P.C the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives.
29.3. Such a power is not be exercised in those prosecutions 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 a serious impact on society. Similarly, for offences alleged to have been committed under special statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by Public Servants while working in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender.
29.4. On the other, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and pre-dominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.
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 cases.
::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -6-29.6. Offences under Section 307 IPC would fall in the category of heinous and serious offences and therefore is to be generally treated as crime against the society and not against the individual alone. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely .
because there is a mention of Section 307 IPC in the FIR or the charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the High Court to examine as to whether incorporation of Section 307 IPC is there for the sake of it or the prosecution has collected sufficient evidence, which if proved, would lead to proving the charge under Section 307 IPC. For this purpose, it would be open to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether such injury is inflicted on the vital/delegate parts of the body, nature of weapons used etc. Medical report in respect of injuries suffered by the victim can generally be the guiding factor. On the basis of this prima facie analysis, the High Court can examine as to whether there is a strong possibility of conviction or the chances of conviction are remote and bleak. In the former case it can refuse to accept the settlement and quash the criminal proceedings whereas in the later case it would be permissible for the High Court to accept the plea compounding the offence based on complete settlement between the parties. At this stage, the Court can also be swayed by the fact that the settlement between the parties is going to result in harmony between them which may improve their future relationship.
29.7. While deciding whether to exercise its power under Section 482 of the Code or not, timings of settlement play a crucial role. Those cases where the settlement is arrived at immediately after the alleged commission of offence and the matter is still under investigation, the High Court may be liberal in accepting the settlement to quash the criminal proceedings/investigation. It is because of the reason that at this stage the investigation is still on and even the charge sheet has not been filed. Likewise, those cases where the charge is framed but the evidence is yet to start or the evidence is still at infancy stage, the High Court can show benevolence in exercising its powers favourably, but after prima ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -7- facie assessment of the circumstances/material mentioned above. On the other hand, where the prosecution evidence is almost complete or after the conclusion of the evidence the matter is at the stage of argument, normally the High Court should refrain from .
exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code, as in such cases the trial court would be in a position to decide the case finally on merits and to come a conclusion as to whether the offence under Section 307 IPC is committed or not. Similarly, in those cases where the conviction is already recorded by the trial court and the matter is at the appellate stage before the High Court, mere compromise between the parties would not be a ground to accept the same resulting in acquittal of the offender who has already been convicted by the trial court. Here charge is proved under Section 307 IPC and conviction is already recorded of a heinous crime and, therefore, there is no question of sparing a convict found guilty of such a crime".
7. Careful perusal of para 29.3 of the judgment suggests that such a power is not to be exercised in the cases 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 a serious impact on society. Apart from this, offences committed under special statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by Public Servants while working in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes may be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.
::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -8-8. The Hon'ble Apex Court in case Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and anr. (2012) 10 SCC 303 has held that power of the High Court in quashing of the criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint in .
exercise of its inherent power is distinct and different from the power of a Criminal Court for compounding offences under Section 320 Cr.PC. Even in the judgment passed in Narinder Singh's case, the Hon'ble Apex Court has held that while exercising inherent power of quashment under Section 482 Cr.PC the Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime and its social impact and it cautioned the Courts not to exercise the power for quashing proceedings in heinous and serious offences of mental depravity, murder, rape, dacoity etc. However subsequently, the Hon'ble Apex Court in Dimpey Gujral and Ors. vs. Union Territory through Administrator, UT, Chandigarh and Ors. (2013( 11 SCC 497 has also held as under:-
"7. In certain decisions of this Court in view of the settlement arrived at by the parties, this Court quashed the FIRs though some of the offences were non-compoundable. A two Judges' Bench of this court doubted the correctness of those decisions. Learned Judges felt that in those decisions, this court had permitted compounding of non- compoundable offences. The said issue was, therefore, referred to a larger bench.
The larger Bench in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) 10 SCC 303 considered the relevant provisions of the Code and the judgments of this court and concluded as under: (SCC pp. 342-43, para 61)
61. The position that emerges from the above discussion can be summarised thus: the power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP -9- is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz; (i) .
to secure the ends of justice or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any Court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or F.I.R may be exercised where the offender and victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim's family and the offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private in nature and have serious impact on society.
Similarly, any compromise between the victim and offender in relation to the offences under special statutes like Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity etc; cannot provide for any basis for quashing criminal proceedings involving such offences. But the criminal cases having overwhelmingly and pre-dominatingly civil flavour stand on different footing for the purposes of quashing, particularly the offences arising from commercial, financial, mercantile, civil, partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising out of matrimony relating to dowry, etc. or the family disputes where the wrong is basically private or personal in nature and the parties have resolved their entire dispute. In this category of cases, High Court may quash criminal proceedings if in its view, because of the compromise between the offender and victim, the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal case would put accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal case despite full and complete settlement and compromise with the victim. In other words, the High Court must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest of justice to continue with the criminal proceeding or ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP
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continuation of the criminal proceeding would tantamount to abuse of process of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim and wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is appropriate that criminal case is put to an end and if the answer to .
the above question(s) is in affirmative, the High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceeding." (emphasis supplied)
8. In the light of the above observations of this court in Gian Singh, we feel that this is a case where the continuation of criminal proceedings would tantamount to abuse of process of law because the alleged offences are not heinous offences showing extreme depravity nor are they against the society. They are offences of a personal nature and burying them would bring about peace and amity between the two sides. In the circumstances of the case, FIR No. 163 dated 26.10.2006 registered under Section 147, 148, 149, 323, 307, 452 and 506 of the IPC at Police Station Sector 3, Chandigarh and all consequential proceedings arising there from including the final report presented under Section 173 of the Code and charges framed by the trial Court are hereby quashed."
9. Recently the Hon'ble Apex Court in its latest judgment dated 4th October, 2017, titled as Parbatbhai Aahir @ Parbatbhai Bhimsinhbhai Karmur and others versus State of Gujarat and Another, passed in Criminal Appeal No.1723 of 2017 arising out of SLP(Crl) No.9549 of 2016, reiterated the principles/ parameters laid down in Narinder Singh's case supra for accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings. It would be profitable to reproduce para No. 13 to 15 of the judgment herein:
"13. The same principle was followed in Central Bureau of Investigation v. Maninder Singh (2016)1 SCC 389 by a bench of two learned Judges of this Court. In that case, the High Court had, in the exercise of its ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP
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inherent power under Section 482 quashed proceedings under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 read with Section 120-B of the Penal Code. While allowing the appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation Mr Justice Dipak Misra (as the learned Chief Justice then was) .
observed that the case involved allegations of forgery of documents to embezzle the funds of the bank. In such a situation, the fact that the dispute had been settled with the bank would not justify a recourse to thepower under Section 482:
"...In economic offences Court must not only keep in view that money has been paid to the bank which has been defrauded but also the society at large. It is not a case of simple assault or a theft of a trivial amount; but the offence with which we are concerned is well planned and was committed with a deliberate design with an eye of personal profit regardless of consequence to the society at large. To quash the proceeding merely on the ground that the accused has settled the amount with the bank would be a misplaced sympathy. If the prosecution against the economic offenders are not allowed to continue, the entire community is aggrieved."
14. In a subsequent decision in State of Tamil Nadu v R Vasanthi Stanley (2016) 1 SCC 376, the court rejected the submission that the first respondent was a woman "who was following the command of her husband" and had signed certain documents without being aware of the nature of the fraud which was being perpetrated on the bank. Rejecting the submission, this Court held that:
"... Lack of awareness, knowledge or intent is neither to be considered nor accepted in economic offences. The submission assiduously presented on gender leaves us unimpressed. An offence under the criminal law is an offence and it does not depend upon the gender of an accused. True it is, there are certain provisions in Code of Criminal Procedure relating to exercise of jurisdiction Under Section 437, etc. therein but that altogether pertains to a different sphere. A person committing a murder or getting involved in a financial scam or forgery of documents, cannot claim discharge or acquittal on the ground of her gender as that is neither constitutionally nor statutorily ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP
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a valid argument. The offence is gender neutral in this case. We say no more on this score..."
"...A grave criminal offence or serious economic offence or for that matter the offence that has the potentiality to create a dent in the .
financial health of the institutions, is not to be quashed on the ground that there is delay in trial or the principle that when the matter has been settled it should be quashed to avoid the load on the system..."
15. The broad principles which emerge from the precedents on the subject may be summarized in the following propositions:
(i) Section 482 preserves the inherent powers of the High Court to prevent an abuse of the process of any court or to secure the ends of justice. The provision does not confer new powers. It only recognizes and preserves powers which inhere in the High Court;
(ii) The invocation of the jurisdiction of the High Court to quash a First Information Report or a criminal proceeding on the ground that a settlement has been arrived at between the offender and the victim is not the same as the invocation of jurisdiction for the purpose of compounding an offence. While compounding an offence, the power of the court is governed by the provisions of Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The power to quash under Section 482 is attracted even if the offence is non-compoundable.
(iii) In forming an opinion whether a criminal proceeding or complaint should be quashed in exercise of its jurisdiction under Section 482, the High Court must evaluate whether the ends of justice would justify the exercise of the inherent power;
(iv) While the inherent power of the High Court has a wide ambit and plenitude it has to be exercised; (i) to secure the ends of justice or (ii) to prevent an abuse of the process of any court;
(v) The decision as to whether a complaint or First Information Report should be quashed on the ground that the offender and victim have settled the dispute, revolves ultimately on the facts and circumstances of each case and no exhaustive elaboration of principles can be formulated;::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP
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vi) In the exercise of the power under Section 482 and while dealing with a plea that the dispute has been settled, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the offence. Heinous and serious offences involving mental depravity or offences such as .
murder, rape and dacoity cannot appropriately be quashed though the victim or the family of the victim have settled the dispute. Such offences are, truly speaking, not private in nature but have a serious impact upon society. The decision to continue with the trial in such cases is founded on the overriding element of public interest in punishing persons for serious offences;
(vii) As distinguished from serious offences, there may be criminal cases which have an overwhelming or predominant element of a civil dispute. They stand on a distinct footing in so far as the exercise of the inherent power to quash is concerned;
(viii) Criminal cases involving offences which arise from commercial, financial, mercantile, partnership or similar transactions with an essentially civil flavour may in appropriate situations fall for quashing where parties have settled the dispute;
(ix) In such a case, the High Court may quash the criminal proceeding if in view of the compromise between the disputants, the possibility of a conviction is remote and the continuation of a criminal proceeding would cause oppression and prejudice; and
(x) There is yet an exception to the principle set out in propositions
(viii) and (ix) above. Economic offences involving the financial and economic well-being of the state have implications which lie beyond the domain of a mere dispute between private disputants. The High Court would be justified in declining to quash where the offender is involved in an activity akin to a financial or economic fraud or misdemeanour. The consequences of the act complained of upon the financial or economic system will weigh in the balance."
10. In the case at hand also, the offence alleged against the accused is under Ss. 279, 337 and 338 IPC and Ss. 187, 181 and 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which do not involve offences of mental ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP
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depravity or of heinous nature like rape, dacoity or murder and as such, with a view to maintain harmony and peace in society, this court deems it appropriate to quash the FIR as well as consequential .
proceedings thereto, especially keeping in view the fact that the complainant and injured have compromised the matter with the accused, in which case, the possibility of conviction is remote and no fruitful purpose would be served in continuing with the criminal proceedings.
11. Consequently, in view of the aforesaid discussion as well as law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court (supra), criminal proceedings in case titled State vs. Narinder Pal Singh (bearing No. 9009114/2017) pending in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Court No. 8, Shimla registered in pursuance to FIR No. 117/16 dated 16.5.2016 under Ss. 279, 337 and 338 IPC and Ss.
187, 181 and 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act registered at Police Station Shimla (West), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh are quashed and set aside and the petitioner-accused is acquitted of the charges framed against him.
12. The petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms, alongwith all pending applications.
(Sandeep Sharma) Judge October 31, 2010 (Vikrant) ::: Downloaded on - 02/11/2018 22:56:17 :::HCHP