Himachal Pradesh High Court: A criminal revision petition filed under Section 320 read with Section 482 CrPC for compounding the criminal case pending against the petitioners was allowed by Single Judge Bench comprising of Tarlok Singh Chauhan, J.
The petitioners were allowed to have assaulted the complainant out of the previous enmity between them. They were tried and sentenced by the trial court under Sections 324 and 477 read with Section 34 IPC. Petitioners filed the present petition submitting that they have entered into an amicable settlement with the complainant. It was further submitted that the parties have buried their differences and disputes; they have good relations and live in peace and harmony; the complainant did not want to prosecute the matter any further.
The parties were present before the High Court and they submitted the deed of settlement by which it was clear that the complainant did not want to pursue the case further. The Court relied on Gian Singh v. State of Punjab; (2012) 10 SCC 303, wherein it was held that the powers of the High Court under Section 482 are wider than the power of a criminal court to compound an offence under Section 320 CrPC. Considering the fact that the offence for which the petitioners were charged cannot be stricto sensu held to be an offence against the State, and also that the parties have settled the suit amicably; the High Court held it to be a fit case to exercise powers under Section 482. Accordingly, the petition was allowed and the matter was ordered to be compounded. [Sunit Singh v. State of H.P,2018 SCC OnLine HP 606, dated 15-05-2018]
