THOMAS Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners are the accused in C.C. No. 481/2012 of the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court -11, Thrissur, which has arisen from Crime No. 120/2012 of the Thrissur West Police Station, registered for the offences punishable under Ss. 341 and 323 read with S. 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The de facto complainant was the son -in -law of the first petitioner. There was difference of opinion between the de facto complainant and his wife, who is the daughter of the first petitioner, which culminated in a series of litigations between them. As the wife of the de facto complainant was tortured and harassed with a demand for dowry, and as her properties were misappropriated, a case was pending for the same against the de facto complainant in this case, as C.C. No. 70 of 2012 before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court, Thrissur. The de facto complainant had filed O.P. No. 680/2012 before the Family Court, Thrissur against the daughter of the first petitioner seeking a decree of divorce.

(2.) The entire disputes between the parties were settled in the Lok Adalath. In O.P. 680/12, a settlement agreement was executed in that regard. As all the disputes were settled, the parties had agreed to terminate C.C. No. 70 of 2012 as well as C.C. No. 481 of 2012.

(3.) Complying with the terms of settlement, the daughter of the first petitioner was instrumental in terminating the prosecution in C.C. No. 70/12, which was pending against the de facto complainant herein. Consequently, the de facto complainant was acquitted in the said case. Similarly, O.P. No. 680/12 has been dismissed as withdrawn, and as per the settlement, a joint petition seeking divorce was filed, and consequently a decree of divorce has been passed.