Arjun and 10 Others vs State of U.P. and Another

The present application under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 has been filed to quash the entire proceedings of Case No. 9892 of 2024 (State v. Arjun and Others), arising out of Case Crime No. 470 of 2023, under Sections 147, 148, 323, 504, 506, 308 and 325 of IPC, Police Station- Khatauli, District Muzaffarnagar, as well as charge-sheet dated 12.01.2024, pending in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Muzaffarnagar on the basis of compromise dated 3.8.2024.

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Learned counsel for both the parties submitted that the applicants and first informant are residents of same locality. It is further submitted that the parties have settled their dispute by way of compromise dated 3.8.2024, which has been verified in pursuance of earlier order of this Court and the certified copies of the verified compromise as well as verification proceedings have been filed as Annexure SA No. 1 to the supplementary affidavit dated 5.11.2024. It is further submitted that both the parties sustained injuries in the same incident and the cross case of the present incident

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arising out of Case Crime No. 104 of 2024, under Sections 147, 148, 149, 308, 323, 324 of IPC, has been quashed by a Division Bench of this Court in Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. -14427 of 2024, vide order dated 18.11.2024.

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Learned counsel for the opposite party no. 2 argued that as the parties have already arrived at amicable settlement on 3.8.2024 in the aforesaid case and, therefore, opposite party no. 2 is no more interested to pursue the case any more against the applicants.

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Heard Shri Sandeep Tripathi, learned counsel for the applicants and Sri Akhilesh Kumar Yadav, learned counsel for the Opposite Party No.2 and Sri Pankaj Kumar, learned Brief Holder for the State.

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6 . Brief facts of the case are that the first information report dated 4.11.2023 has been lodged under Sections 147, 148, 323, 504, 506, 308 and 325 of IPC alleging that the applicants-accused persons having enmity with the first informant with regard to the incident dated 2.11.2023 committed marpeet in front of house of co-accused Bhama.

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7 . A three-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & another, (2012) 10 SCC 303, has observed that: (SCC p.340, para 58)

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"58. Where the High Court quashes a criminal proceeding having regard to the fact that the dispute between the offender and the victim has been settled although the offences are not compoundable, it does so as in its opinion, continuation of criminal proceedings will be an exercise in futility and justice in the case demands that the dispute between the parties is put to an end and peace is resorted; securing the ends of justice being the ultimate guiding factor."

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Where matters are also of civil nature i.e. matrimonial, family disputes, etc. the Court may consider "special facts", "special feature" and quash the criminal proceeding to encourage genuine settlement of disputes between the parties. [Vide: Madhavrao Jiwajirao

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Scindia v. Sambhajirao Chandraojirao Angre, (1988) 1 SCC 692 ].

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In Parbathbhai Aahir @ Parbatbhai Bhimsinghbhai Karmur & Others v. State of Gujarat & another, (2017) 9 SCC 641 , after referring the various precedents on the subject, summarized the broad principles relating to the inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code as under; (SCC, p. 653, para 16)

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"16.1. 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 recognises and preserves powers which inhere in the High Court.

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16.2. 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 noncompoundable.

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16.3. 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.

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16.4. While the inherent poser 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.

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16.5. 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.

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16.6. 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

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or offences such as murder, rape and dacoity cannot appropriately be quashed though the victim or the family or 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.

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16.7. 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 insofar as the exercise of the inherent power to quash is concerned.

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16.8. 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.

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16.9. 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 case oppression and prejudice; and

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16.10. There is yet an exception to the principle set out in propositions 16.8. and 16.9. above. Economic offence 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."

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Keeping in mind the position of law and facts, circumstances of the case, present case is arising out of same locality dispute, the present application under Section 482 of the Code stands allowed .

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The entire proceedings of entire proceedings of Case No. 9892 of 2024 (State v. Arjun and Others), arising out of Case Crime No. 470 of 2023, under Sections 147, 148, 323, 504, 506, 308 and 325 of IPC, Police Station- Khatauli, District Muzaffarnagar, as well as charge-sheet dated 12.01.2024, pending in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Muzaffarnagar, is hereby quashed.

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This order is being passed by this Court after hearing the contesting parties. If at all, opposite party no. 2 feels that he has been duped or betrayed, then in that event, he may file recall application explaining the reasons for filing the said application.

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The parties may file the certified copy of this order before the court concerned within three weeks from today.

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(Sanjay Kumar Pachori,J.)

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Order Date :- 17.3.2025 Akram

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Digitally signed by :- MOHAMMAD AKRAM High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

Arjun and 10 Others v. State of U.P. and Another

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Arjun and 10 Others v. State of U.P. and Another

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