VARUN BHALLA Vs. STATE OF H.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BY way of present petition, the petitioners seek quashing of FIR No. 209 of 2014 dated 15.9.2014 registered at Police Station, Sundernagar, District Mandi, H.P. under Sections 498 -A, 506 and 34 IPC.

(2.) THE parties are present in person and identified as such by their respective counsel.

(3.) NOW , the question arises as to whether this Court can quash the FIR and all consequential proceedings registered against the petitioners. This court is not powerless in such situation and adequate powers have been conferred upon it, under section 482 Cr.P.C. (hereinafter referred to as the Code) for accepting the settlement entered into between the parties and to quash the proceedings arising out of the FIR, which have consequently culminated into a settlement. This power has been conferred to subserve the ends of justice or/and to prevent abuse of the process of any court. Though, such power is required to be exercised with circumspection and in cases which do not involve heinous and serious offence of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity etc. The law on this subject has been summed up in a recent judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Narinder Singh & Ors. V. State of Punjab & Anr. : JT 2014 (4) SC 573, wherein it was held as under: