JUDGMENT DATED:30 October 2015

CORAM:SURESH KAIT .J
BRIEF FACTS OF THE CASE:Ms.Shabnam lodge the complaint against her husband concerning certain matrimonial and domestic
disputes having arisen between the parties. Husband had already filed Crl M C No.5311/2014 which
was allowed vide order dated 21.11.2014 qua him only.The present petition has been filed by the
parents and family members of husband of Ms. Shabnam.The matter has already been settled
between the parties and payment of agreed amount has already been made.The marriage between
the parties has also been dissolved by Talaqnama executed on 05.11.2014. Now, Ms. Shabnam states
that no dispute with petitioners survives and so, the proceedings arising out of the FIR in question
may be brought to an end.Hence, The petition involves quashment of FIR filed for the offences
punishable under sections 498A/406/34 IPC
ISSUE INVOLVED:Whether Non-Compundable Offence can be quashed on the ground of settlement?
LAWS INVOLVED:Section 482, 320 of CrPC.
ANALYSIS BY THE COURT:The Court held that the subject matter of this FIR is essentially matrimonial, which now stands
mutually and amicably settled between the parties and the complainant is no longer interested in
supporting the prosecution because of which, its chances of success in the matter are now greatly
diminished. Therefore, this matter deserves to be given a quietus as continuance of proceedings
arising out of the FIR in question would be an exercise in futility.
Basis of Analysis:1.Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab and Another (2012) 10 SCC 303 - (Para 58)

"Certain offences which overwhelmingly and predominantly bear civil flavour having arisen out of
civil, mercantile, commercial, financial, partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising
out of matrimony, particularly relating to dowry, etc. or the family dispute, where the wrong is
basically to the victim and the offender and the victim have settled all disputes between them
amicably, irrespective of the fact that such offences have not been made compoundable, the High
Court may within the framework of its inherent power, quash the criminal proceeding or criminal
complaint or FIR if it is satisfied that on the face of such settlement, there is hardly any likelihood of
the offender being convicted and by not quashing the criminal proceedings, justice shall be casualty
and ends of justice shall be defeated.
2.Narinder Singh & Ors. Vs. State of Punjab & Anr. 2014 6 SCC 466- (Para 29.1 and 29.2)
"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 compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves.
However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution.
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.
Those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly 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.(29.4)
3.Jitendra Raghuvanshi & Ors. Vs. Babita Raghuvanshi & Anr. (2013) 4 SCC 58 - (Para -15)
"It is the duty of the courts to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes, particularly,
when the same are on considerable increase. Even if the offences are non-compoundable, if they
relate to matrimonial disputes and the Court is satisfied that the parties have settled the same
amicably and without any pressure, we hold that for the purpose of securing ends of justice, Section
320 of the Code would not be a bar to the exercise of power of quashing of FIR, complaint or the
subsequent criminal proceedings.