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CDJ 2026 MHC 2317 print Preview print print
Court : Before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court
Case No : Crl. O.P(MD) No. 3766 of 2026 & Crl. M.P(MD) No. 4035 of 2026
Judges: THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI
Parties : Maruthupandi & Others Versus The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by its Sub Inspector of Police, Vasudevanallur Police Station, Tenkasi & Another
Appearing Advocates : For the Petitioners: R. Rajeshkumar, Advocate. For the Respondent: R1, B. Thanga Aravindh, Government Advocate (Crl. side), R2, V. Vijayendiran, Advocate.
Date of Judgment : 23-02-2026
Head Note :-
BNSS, 2023 - Section 528 -
Judgment :-

(Prayer: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, to call for the records of the impugned FIR in Crime no.43 of 2026 dated 24.01.2026 on the file of the Respondent Police and to quash the same as illegal.)

1. This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 CrPC / Section 528 BNSS, seeking to quash the First Information Report in Crime No. 43 of 2026 on the file of the 1st respondent Police Station, insofar as the petitioners are concerned.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 23.01.2026, while the defacto complainant was waiting near a grocery store on his way to the mosque, the accused persons allegedly intercepted the two-wheeler of one Muhammed Riswan, abused him in filthy language and attempted to attack him with a deadly weapon. When the defacto complainant intervened to prevent the attack, the accused persons allegedly turned towards him, abused him and assaulted him, resulting in the registration of the present case in Crime No.43 of 2026 on the file of the 1st respondent police for the offence under Sections 126(2), 296(b), 115(2), 118(1) and 109(1) BNS, 2023.

3. Admittedly, the petitioner and the 2nd respondent are residing in the same locality, and they have now resolved the dispute amicably. A Joint Compromise Memo dated 23.02.2026 has been filed before this Court.

4. The petitioner and the 2nd respondent / defacto complainant are present before this Court in person and are identified by Mr.R.Kossudurai, SSI, Vasudevanallur Police Station, Tenkasi District. The defacto complainant has categorically stated that he does not wish to pursue the FIR against the petitioner. This Court is satisfied that the compromise is voluntary and not the result of any coercion or undue influence.

5. The law relating to quashment of criminal proceedings on the basis of compromise between the parties is well settled. In Gian Singh v. State of Punjab1 (1 2012 10 SCC 303), the Hon’ble Supreme Court authoritatively held that the inherent power of the High Court under Section 482 CrPC is of wide amplitude and may be exercised to quash criminal proceedings even in respect of non-compoundable offences, provided the dispute is  essentially private in nature and the quashment would secure the ends of justice. The Court, however, drew a clear distinction between offences arising out of personal or matrimonial disputes, commercial transactions and similar private wrongs, and serious or heinous offences having grave impact on society, holding that the latter category cannot ordinarily be quashed merely on the basis of a settlement.

6. The said principles were succinctly crystallised in Parbatbhai Aahir v. State of Gujarat2 2 (2017) 9 SCC 641), wherein the Supreme Court, after surveying the earlier precedents, laid down broad propositions governing the exercise of inherent jurisdiction on the basis of compromise. It was emphasised that the paramount consideration is whether the continuance of the criminal proceedings would be unfair or contrary to the interests of justice, and whether the dispute predominantly bears a civil or private character, rendering the possibility of conviction remote and bleak.

7. In State of Madhya Pradesh v. Laxmi Narayan3 (3 (2019) 5 SCC 688), the Supreme Court reiterated and clarified the limitations on such power, holding that offences of a serious nature, particularly those involving mental depravity, grave violence, or offences against society at large, cannot be quashed on the basis of compromise, even if the parties have amicably settled the dispute. The Court further cautioned that while examining compromise quash petitions, the High Court must consider the nature and gravity of the offence, the conduct of the accused, and the stage of the proceedings, and the overall impact on society and must satisfy itself that the settlement is voluntary and not the result of coercion or undue influence.

8. Applying the aforesaid principles to the facts of the present case, this Court has carefully examined the nature and gravity of the allegations, the relationship between the parties, the conduct of the petitioner, the stage of the proceedings, and the voluntary nature of the compromise.

9. The dispute in question is predominantly private in character and does not involve any offence having serious or grave impact on society at large. In view of the compromise arrived at between the parties, the possibility of conviction is rendered remote and bleak. Continuation of the criminal proceedings would therefore serve no useful purpose and would amount to an abuse of the process of Court.

10. Accordingly, the impugned FIR in Crime No.43 of 2026 is quashed and the Criminal Original Petition stands allowed subject to the condition that the petitioners 1 and 3 shall deposit a sum of Rs. 5,000/-(Rupees Five Thousand only) and the petitioners 2 and 4 shall deposit a sum of Rs.2,000/-(Rupees Two Thousand only), for establishing an E-Library to the credit of the MBHAA, in Indian Bank, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Branch, Account No.496038755 IFSC No.IDIB000H040, MICR Code: 625019020. The joint compromise memo dated 23.02.2026 shall form part and parcel of this order.

11. The petitioners are directed to file a memo along with the photocopy of the receipt before the Registry on or before 27.03.2026. In the event of non-compliance with the order passed by this Court, the same shall stand automatically vacated. List the matter on 30.03.2026 for reporting compliance. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

 
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