THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESHversusDHRUV GURJAR AND ANOTHER

                         [2019] 4 S.C.R. 433                               433


               THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH                                 A
                                   v.
                DHRUV GURJAR AND ANOTHER
                  (Criminal Appeal No. 336 of 2019)
                        FEBRUARY 22, 2019                                  B
        [L. NAGESWARA RAO AND M. R. SHAH, JJ.]
       Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 – ss. 320 and 482 – In
SLP (Crl.) No.9859/13, FIR was lodged against the accused persons
for offences punishable u/ss. 307, 294 and 34, IPC – Accused filed
                                                                           C
petition u/s.482, CrPC before the High Court for quashing the
criminal proceedings arising out of the said FIR on the basis of a
compromise arrived at between the accused and the complainant –
High Court quashed the criminal proceedings – In SLP (Crl.)
No.9860/13, FIR filed against the accused persons for offences
punishable inter alia u/s.394, IPC and 25/27, Arms Act – Accused           D
approached the High Court for quashing said FIR – High Court
quashed the criminal proceedings – On appeal, held: High Court
has not at all considered the fact that the offences alleged were
non-compoundable offences as per s.320, CrPC – It did not at all
consider the seriousness of the offences, its social impact and
                                                                           E
mechanically quashed the respective FIRs – High Court did not
consider the distinction between a personal or private wrong and a
social wrong and its social impact – Without proper application of
mind to the relevant facts and circumstances, the High Court
materially erred in quashing the respective FIRs observing that in
view of the compromise, there are no chances of recording conviction       F
and/or the further trial would be an exercise in futility – In SLP(Crl.)
No.9860/2013, all the accused were absconding – After a period
of approximately three months after the incident, alleged to happen
on 21.12.12, accused approached the High Court u/s.482, Cr.P.C.,
on 12.03.2013 – In the meantime, the accused managed to get the
                                                                           G
affidavits of the complainant and the two witnesses dtd. 09.02.2013
and the High Court quashed the FIR on 15.03.2013, within three
days from the date of filing the petition – Accused persons were
facing number of trials for the serious offences – High Court did
not consider the antecedents of the accused – It ought to have been
                                                                           H
                                  433
434           SUPREME COURT REPORTS                     [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     more vigilant and consider facts and circumstances under which
      the accused entered into the settlement – Impugned judgments set
      aside– Respective FIRs/investigation/criminal proceedings be
      proceeded against the respective accused – Penal Code, 1860 –
      ss. 34, 294 307 and 394 –Arms Act– ss.25 and 27.
B            Allowing the appeals, the Court
             HELD: 1.1 The High Court has not at all considered the
      fact that the offences alleged were non-compoundable offences
      as per Section 320, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. From the
      impugned judgments and orders, it appears that the High Court
      has not at all considered the relevant facts and circumstances of
C
      the case, more particularly the seriousness of the offences and
      its social impact. From the impugned judgments and orders
      passed by the High Court, it appears that the High Court has
      mechanically quashed the respective FIRs, in exercise of its
      powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C. The High Court has not at all
D     considered the distinction between a personal or private wrong
      and a social wrong and the social impact. In the case at hand, the
      High Court has not at all taken pains to scrutinise the entire
      conspectus of facts in proper perspective and has quashed the
      criminal proceedings mechanically. Even, the quashing of the
      respective FIRs by the High Court in the present cases inter alia
E
      for the offences under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the IPC and
      394 of the IPC and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act respectively,
      and that too in exercise of powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C.
      is just contrary to the law laid down by Supreme Court in a catena
      of decisions. [Para 16.1][444-E-G; 445-A, B]
F            1.2 The High Court ought to have appreciated that it is not
      in every case where the complainant has entered into a
      compromise with the accused, there may not be any conviction.
      Such observations are presumptive and many a time too early to
      opine. In a given case, it may happen that the prosecution still
G     can prove the guilt by leading cogent evidence and examining
      the other witnesses and the relevant evidence/material, more
      particularly when the dispute is not a commercial transaction and/
      or of a civil nature and/or is not a private wrong. [Para 18]
      [451-F, G]
           1.3 Without proper application of mind to the relevant facts
H     and circumstances, the High Court has materially erred in
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                              435


mechanically quashing the respective FIRs, by observing that in             A
view of the compromise, there are no chances of recording
conviction and/or the further trial would be an exercise in futility.
Even otherwise, in the facts and circumstances of the case of the
appeal arising from SLP(Crl.) No. 9860/2013, the High Court has
erred in quashing the FIR. It is required to be noted that the FIR
                                                                            B
was lodged on 21.12.2012 for the offence alleged to happen on
21.12.2012. All the accused were absconding. After a period of
approximately three months, they approached the High Court by
way of filing a petition under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C., i.e., on
12.03.2013. The Chief Judicial Magistrate issued a proclamation
under Section 82 of the Cr.P.C. against the accused persons on              C
14.03.2013. In the meantime, the accused managed to get the
affidavits of the complainant and the two witnesses dated
09.02.2013, and the High Court quashed the FIR on 15.03.2013,
i.e., within a period of three days from the date of filing the petition.
The High Court has also not considered the antecedents of the
                                                                            D
accused. It has come on record that the accused persons were
facing number of trials for the serious offences. The aforesaid
would be relevant factors, while exercising the inherent powers
under Section 482 Cr.P.C and while considering the application
for quashing the FIR/complaint/criminal proceedings. In fact, in
such a situation, the High Court ought to have been more vigilant           E
and ought to have considered relevant facts and circumstances
under which the accused got the settlement entered into. The
High Court has not at all considered the aforesaid relevant
circumstances, while exercising the power under Section 482
Cr.P.C. The impugned judgments and orders passed by the High
                                                                            F
Court are set aside, and the respective FIRs/investigation/
criminal proceedings be proceeded against the respective
accused, and they shall be dealt with, in accordance with law.
[Paras 18.1, 18.2, 19][452-H; 453-A-F]
      Shiji @ Pappu and others v. Radhika and another
      (2011) 10 SCC 705 : [2011] 13 SCR 135 – held                          G
      inapplicable.
      Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) 10 SCC 303
      : [2012] 8 SCR 753; State of Madhya Pradesh v.
      Deepak (2014) 10 SCC 285; State of Madhya Pradesh
                                                                            H
436          SUPREME COURT REPORTS                     [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A          v. Manish (2015) 8 SCC 307 : [2015] 8 SCR 723;
           Parbatbhai Aahir v. State of Gujarat (2017) 9 SCC 641;
           2019 SCC Online SC 7; State of Madhya Pradesh v.
           Kalyan Singh [2019] 1 SCALE 165; State of
           Maharashtra v. Vikram Anantrai Doshi (2014) 15 SCC
           29; Narinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2014) 6 SCC
B
           466 : [2014] 4 SCR 1012 – relied on.
           J. Ramesh Kamath v. Mohana Kurup (2016) 12 SCC
           179; State of Madhya Pradesh v. Rajveer Singh
           (2016) 12 SCC 471 : [2016] 2 SCR 1047; Jitendra
           Raghuvanshi v. Babita Raghuvanshi (2013) 4 SCC
C          58 : [2013] 2 SCR 921; Anita Maria Dias v. State of
           Maharashtra (2018) 3 SCC 290; Social Action Forum
           for Manav Adhikar v. Union of India (2018) 10 SCC
           443 – referred to.
                           Case Law Reference
D
      [2011] 13 SCR 135            held inapplicable      Para 5
      [2012] 8 SCR 753             relied on              Para 13.4
      (2014) 10 SCC 285            relied on              Para 13.4
E
      [2015] 8 SCR 723             relied on              Para 13.4
      (2016) 12 SCC 179            referred to            Para 13.4
      [2016] 2 SCR 1047            referred to            Para 13.4

F     [2019] 1 SCALE 165           relied on              Para 13.4
      [2013] 2 SCR 921             referred to            Para 14.1
      (2018) 3 SCC 290             referred to            Para 14.1
      (2018) 10 SCC 443            referred to            Para 14.1
G
      (2014) 15 SCC 29             relied on              Para 16.1
      [2014] 4 SCR 1012            relied on              Para 16.3


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   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                               437


      CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal                       A
No. 336 of 2019
      From the Judgment and Order dated 08.04.2013 of the High Court
of Madhya Pradesh, Bench at Gwalior in Miscellaneous Criminal Case
No. 2572 of 2013
                                With                                         B
      Criminal Appeal No. 337 of 2019.
      Varun K. Chopra, Mrs. Swarupama Chaturvedi, B. N. Dubey,
Mukesh Kumar, Gurtej Pal Singh, Ms. Indira Bhakar, Ms. Aparna Trivedi,
Santanu Singh Advs. for the Appellant.
     Lakhan Singh Chouhan, Hitesh Kumar Sharma, Narender Singh,              C
Baby Devi Bonia, Binay Kumar Das, Advs. for the Respondents.
       The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
       M.R. SHAH, J. 1. Leave granted in both the special leave
petitions.
                                                                             D
       2. As common question of law and facts arise in both these appeals,
they are being disposed of by this common judgment and order.
      Criminal Appeal @ SLP(Criminal) No.9859/2013
       3. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment
and order dated 8.4.2013 passed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh,         E
Bench at Gwalior in Miscellaneous Criminal Petition No. 2572/2013, by
which the High Court has allowed the said application preferred by the
respondents herein/original accused (hereinafter referred to as the
‘Accused’), and in exercise of its powers under Section 482 of the Code
of Criminal Procedure, has quashed the proceedings against the accused
                                                                             F
for the offences punishable under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the IPC,
the State of Madhya Pradesh has preferred the present appeal.
       4. The facts leading to this appeal are, that an FIR was lodged
against the accused at police station, Kotwali, District Datia for the
offences punishable under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the IPC, which
was registered as Crime No. 552/2012. It was alleged that at about 8:00      G
p.m. in the night on 17.12.2012 when after distributing the milk, Cheeni
@ Devasik Yadav came in front of his house situated at RajghatViram,
at the same time, Dhruv Gurjar (accused) being armed with 12 bore
gun, Sonu Khamaria, Rohit Gurjar, Avdhesh Tiwari and 3 to 4 other
persons came there and asked him to take out his nephew, and they will       H
438             SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     kill him as on account of enmity of scuffle took place between his nephew
      Anand and the accused persons. When complainant told them that my
      nephew is not here at the same time all of them started to abuse the
      complainant with filthy language and when he asked them not to do so,
      at the same time, Sonu Khamaria, Rohit Gurjar, Avdhesh Tiwari and 3-4
      other persons spoken that “kill this bastard”, at the same time, Dhruv
B
      Gurjar made a fire with intention to kill him, whose pellets struck on
      three places of his body, i.e., on his forehead, left shoulder and left ear,
      due to which, he sustained injuries and blood started oozing from it.
      According to the complainant, Rampratap Yadav and Indrapal Singh
      were present on the spot, who had witnessed the incident. On hearing
C     the noise of fire, when other people of vicinity reached there, then, all of
      these persons fled away from the spot of the incident.
             4.1 On the basis of a report, a DehatiNalishi bearing No. 0/12
      was registered under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the IPC. As the
      complainant sustained injuries, his MLC was performed. On the basis
D     of the contents of the said report, a Crime bearing No. 552/2012 was
      registered under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the IPC and the criminal
      investigation was triggered. Thereafter, the investigation team reached
      the spot and prepared the spot map and articles were seized.
             4.2 That on 18.12.2012, the statements of the witnesses were
E     recorded under Section 161 of the Cr.P.C. That on 21.03.2013, the
      police arrested the accused.
             4.3 The accused filed Miscellaneous Criminal Petition No. 2572
      of 2013 under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. before the High Court of Madhya
      Pradesh, Bench at Gwalior for quashing the criminal proceedings against
F     the accused arising out of the FIR, on the basis of a compromise arrived
      at between the accused and the complainant.
            5. That, by the impugned judgment and order, the High Court, in
      exercise of its powers under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., has quashed the
      criminal proceedings against the accused on the ground that the accused
G     and the complainant have settled the disputes amicably. While quashing
      the criminal proceedings against the accused, the High Court has
      considered and relied upon the decision of this Court in the case of Shiji
      @ Pappu and others vs. Radhika and another, (2011) 10 SCC 705.
            6. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied by the impugned judgment
      and order, quashing the criminal proceedings against the accused for the
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                439
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

offences punishable under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the IPC, the            A
State of Madhya Pradesh has preferred the present appeal.
      Criminal Appeal @ SLP(Criminal) No.9860/2013
       7. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment
and order dated 15.3.2013 passed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh,
Bench at Gwalior in Miscellaneous Criminal Petition No. 1936/2013, by         B
which the High Court has allowed the said application preferred by the
respondents herein/original accused (hereinafter referred to as the
‘Accused’), and in exercise of its powers under Section 482 of the Code
of Criminal Procedure, has quashed the proceedings against the accused
for the offences punishable under Section 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of            C
M.P.D.V.P.K. Act and 25/27 of the Arms Act, the State of Madhya
Pradesh has preferred the present appeal.
         8. The facts leading to this appeal are, that on 21.12.2012 one
truck driver by name Janki Kushwah informed the complainant – Malkhan
Singh Yadav, who is also a truck driver that his truck was having some        D
problem and he is near Sitapur village. The complainant reached there
and found that his brother Mangal had also reached there with his truck.
It is alleged that when they were busy in repairing the truck, four persons
at around 5:00 a.m. came from the Sitapur village and they had beaten
all of them with legs and fists and snatched cash of Rs.7,300/- and two
Nokia mobiles having Sim Nos. 9411955930 & 7599256400 from the                E
complainant – Malkhan Singh Yadav, Rs.19,000/- from Mangal and
Rs.16,500/- from Janki Kushwah and a Spice mobile having Sim No.
8756194727. That the complainant is driving on that route since last 7 to
8 years and sometimes also stayed in Sitapur village. According to the
complainant, all the four persons were known to him and one of them,          F
namely, accused Tinku Sharma was having ‘Addhi’ in his hand, the second
one was Ravi Sharma, who was having gun in his hand, and the other
two were Babloo Sharma and Bhurerai. All the accused persons after
robbing the complainant, Mangal and Janki Kushwah, went towards
Sitapur village.
                                                                              G
       8.1 That at 6:30 a.m., the complainant went to Goraghat Police
Station, District Datia and lodged the first information report, which was
registered as Crime No. 159 of 2012 against the accused under Section
394 of the IPC, 11/13 of M.P.D.V.P.K. Act and 25/27 of the Arms Act.
Thereafter, the investigation was started and the police reached the spot
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440             SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     of the incident and prepared spot map and also recorded the statement
      of witnesses. Thereafter, they sent the complainant and two other persons
      to the District Hospital, Datia for medical examination, where the Medical
      Officer found simple injuries on various body parts of them.
             8.2 The police on 27.01.2013 reached to the house of the accused
B     persons and in the village but could not found them and ultimately prepared
      the ascendance panchnama. On 14.03.2013, the learned Chief Judicial
      Magistrate, Datia issued proclamation under Section 82 of the Cr.P.C.
      against the accused persons to appear before him on 16.04.2013.
      Meanwhile, on 12.03.2013, the accused persons approached the High
      Court of Madhya Pradesh, Bench at Gwalior for quashing of FIR No.
C     159/2012, registered against them at Police Station Goraghat, District
      Datia for the offences punishable under Section 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of
      M.P.D.V.P.K. Act and 25/27 of the Arms Act.
            9. That, by the impugned judgment and order, the High Court, in
      exercise of its powers under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., has quashed the
D     criminal proceedings against the accused on the ground that the accused
      and the complainant have settled the disputes amicably. While quashing
      the criminal proceedings against the accused, the High Court has
      considered and relied upon the decision of this Court in the case of Shiji
      (supra).
E            10. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied by the impugned judgment
      and order, quashing the criminal proceedings against the accused for the
      offences punishable under Section 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of M.P.D.V.P.K.
      Act and 25/27 of the Arms Act, the State of Madhya Pradesh has
      preferred the present appeal.
F            11. So far as the criminal appeal arising out of SLP(Crl.) No.
      9859/2013 is concerned, it is required to be noted that the accused were
      facing the criminal proceedings for the offences punishable under Sections
      307, 294 and 34 of the IPC. It was alleged against the accused that at
      the time of commission of the offence, the accused Dhruv Gurjar fired
G     from his fire arm on the original complainant with an intention to kill him,
      and the original complainant sustained serious injuries and the pellets
      struck on three places of his body, i.e., on the forehead, left shoulder and
      left ear. That incident took place on 17.12.2012 and the investigating
      officer commenced the investigation, recorded the statement of the
      witnesses under Section 161 of the Cr.P.C. on 18.12.2012. The
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                 441
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

investigating officer also seized the articles. The Investigating officer      A
also collected the medical evidence. It appears that one of the co-
accused, namely, Rohit Gurjar was arrested on 21.03.2013. Nothing in
on record to show, whether in fact the respondent no.1 herein, the main
accused – original accused no.1 was arrested or not. It appears that
during the investigation, immediately, the original accused no.1 – Dhruv
                                                                               B
Gurjar approached the High Court on 5.4.2013 by filing an application
under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. for quashing the FIR. Immediately on
the fourth day of filing of the application, by the impugned judgment and
order dated 8.4.2013, the High Court has quashed the FIR solely on the
ground that there is a settlement arrived at between the complainant and
the accused. While quashing the FIR, the High Court has relied upon            C
the decision of this Court in the case of Shjji (supra), specially the
observations recorded by this Court “that where there is no chance of
recording conviction against the accused persons and the entire exercise
of a trial destined to be exercise of futility, the criminal case registered
against the accused persons, though it may not be compoundable, can
                                                                               D
be quashed by the High Court in exercise of powers under Section 482
of the Cr.P.C”.
       12. Now so far as the criminal appeal @ SLP(Crl.) No. 9860/
2013 is concerned, original accused were facing the criminal proceedings
for the offences under Section 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of M.P.D.V.P.K.
Act and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act. The incident was alleged to            E
happen on 21.12.2012. Immediately, the investigating officer started the
investigation. All the accused were absconding. That when the
investigation was in progress, the original accused approached the High
Court by way of an application under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. on
12.03.2013 and prayed for quashing of the FIR. That on 14.03.2013, the         F
learned Chief Judicial Magistrate issued proclamation under Section 82
of the Cr.P.C. against the accused persons to appear before him on
16.04.2013. That, by the impugned judgment and order dated 15.03.2013,
the High Court has quashed the FIR solely on the ground that the original
complainant and the accused has entered into a compromise. Hence,
the present appeals.                                                           G

       13. Shri Varun K. Chopra, learned advocate appearing on behalf
of the State of Madhya Pradesh has vehemently submitted that in both
these cases, the High Court has committed a grave error in quashing the
respective FIRs which were for the offences under Sections 307, 294
                                                                               H
442             SUPREME COURT REPORTS                          [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     and 34 of the IPC and 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of M.P.D.V.P.K. Act and
      Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act respectively.
             13.1 It is vehemently submitted by the learned counsel appearing
      on behalf of the appellant-State that in the present cases the High Court
      has quashed the respective FIRs mechanically and solely on the basis of
B     the settlement/compromise between the complainant and the accused,
      without even considering the gravity and seriousness of the offences
      alleged against the accused persons.
            13.2 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
      behalf of the appellant-State that while exercising the powers under
C     Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. and quashing the respective FIRs, the High
      Court has not at all considered the fact that the offences alleged were
      against the society at large and not restricted to the personal disputes
      between the two individuals.
             13.3. It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
D     behalf of the appellant-State that the High Court has misread the decision
      of this Court in the case of Shiji (supra), while quashing the respective
      FIRs. It is vehemently submitted by the learned counsel that the High
      Court ought to have appreciated that in all the cases where the complainant
      has compromised/entered into a settlement with the accused, that need
      not necessarily mean resulting into no chance of recording conviction
E     and/or the entire exercise of a trial destined to be exercise of futility. It
      is vehemently submitted by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of
      the appellant-State that in a given case despite the complainant may not
      support in future and in the trial in view of the settlement and compromise
      with the accused, still the prosecution may prove the case against the
F     accused persons by examining the other witnesses, if any, and/or on the
      basis of the medical evidence and/or other evidence/material. It is
      submitted that in the present cases the investigation was in progress and
      even the statement of the witnesses was recorded and the medical
      evidence was also collected. It is submitted that therefore in the facts
      and circumstances of the case, the High Court has clearly erred in
G     considering and relying upon the decision of this Court in the case of
      Shiji (supra).
            13.4 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
      behalf of the appellant-State that as such in the appeal arising out of
      SLP(Crl.) No. 9860/2013, in fact, the accused were absconding from
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                443
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

the day of the commission of the offence and, in fact, the learned Chief      A
Judicial Magistrate, Datia issued a proclamation under Section 82 of the
Cr.P.C. against the accused persons to appear before him. It is submitted
that in between the day of the alleged commission of the offence and
filing of the application before the High Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C.,
and while they were absconding, the accused managed to get the affidavits
                                                                              B
of the complainant and other witnesses, which were dated 9.2.2013. It
is submitted that all these aforesaid circumstances and the conduct on
the part of the accused were required to be considered by the High
Court while quashing the FIR in exercise of its inherent powers under
Section 482 of the Cr.P.C., and more particularly when the offences
alleged were against the society at large, namely, robbery and under the      C
Arms Act, and in fact non-compoundable. In support of his submissions,
learned counsel for the appellant-State has placed reliance on the
decisions of this Court in the cases of Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab
(2012) 10 SCC 303; State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Deepak (2014)
10 SCC 285; State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Manish (2015) 8 SCC
                                                                              D
307; J.Ramesh Kamath vs. Mohana Kurup (2016) 12 SCC 179;
State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Rajveer Singh (2016) 12 SCC 471;
ParbatbhaiAAhir vs. State of Gujarat (2017) 9 SCC 641; and2019
SCC Online SC 7, State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Kalyan Singh,
decided on 4.1.2019 in Criminal Appeal No. 14/2019.
       13.5 Making the above submissions and relying upon the aforesaid       E
decisions of this Court, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
appellant-State has prayed to allow the present appeals and quash and
set aside the impugned judgments and orders passed by the High Court
quashing and setting aside the respective FIRs, in exercise of its inherent
powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C.                                       F
       14. Per contra, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the accused
has supported the impugned judgments and orders passed by the High
Court.
       14.1 It is vehemently submitted by the learned advocate appearing
on behalf of the accused that in the facts and circumstances of the case      G
and when the complainant and the accused entered into a compromise
and settled the disputes amicably among themselves, and therefore when
the High Court found that there is no chance of recording conviction
against the accused persons and the entire exercise of a trial would be
an exercise of futility, the High Court has rightly exercised the powers      H
444            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     under Section 482 Cr.P.C. and has rightly quashed the respective FIRs.
      In support of his submissions, learned counsel for the accused has placed
      reliance on the decisions of this Court in the cases of Jitendra
      Raghuvanshi vs. Babita Raghuvanshi (2013) 4 SCC 58; Anita Maria
      Dias vs. State of Maharashtra (2018) 3 SCC 290; and Social Action
      Forum for Manav Adhikar vs. Union of India (2018) 10 SCC 443.
B
             14.2 Making the above submissions and relying upon the aforesaid
      decisions of this Court, it is prayed to dismiss the present appeals.
            15. Heard learned counsel for the respective parties at length.
              16. At the outset, it is required to be noted that in the present
C     appeals, the High Court in exercise of its powers under Section 482 of
      the Cr.P.C. has quashed the FIRs for the offences under Sections 307,
      294 and 34 of the IPC and 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of M.P.D.V.P.K. Act
      and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act respectively, solely on the basis of a
      compromise between the complainant and the accused. That in view of
D     the compromise and the stand taken by the complainant, considering the
      decision of this Court in the case of Shiji (supra), the High Court has
      observed that there is no chance of recording conviction against the
      accused persons and the entire exercise of a trial would be exercise in
      futility, the High Court has quashed the respective FIRs.

E             16.1 However, the High Court has not at all considered the fact
      that the offences alleged were non-compoundable offences as per Section
      320 of the Cr.P.C. From the impugned judgments and orders, it appears
      that the High Court has not at all considered the relevant facts and
      circumstances of the case, more particularly the seriousness of the
      offences and its social impact. From the impugned judgments and orders
F     passed by the High Court, it appears that the High Court has mechanically
      quashed the respective FIRs, in exercise of its powers under Section
      482 Cr.P.C. The High Court has not at all considered the distinction
      between a personal or private wrong and a social wrong and the social
      impact. As observed by this Court in the case of State of Maharashtra
G     vs. Vikram Anantrai Doshi, (2014) 15 SCC 29, the Court’s principal
      duty, while exercising the powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to quash
      the criminal proceedings, should be to scan the entire facts to find out
      the thrust of the allegations and the crux of the settlement. As observed,
      it is the experience of the Judge that comes to his aid and the said
      experience should be used with care, caution, circumspection and
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                  445
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

courageous prudence. In the case at hand, the High Court has not at all         A
taken pains to scrutinise the entire conspectus of facts in proper
perspective and has quashed the criminal proceedings mechanically.
Even, the quashing of the respective FIRs by the High Court in the
present cases for the offences under Sections 307, 294 and 34 of the
IPC and 394 of the IPC, 11/13 of M.P.D.V.P.K. Act and Sections 25/27
                                                                                B
of the Arms Act respectively, and that too in exercise of powers under
Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. is just contrary to the law laid down by this
Court in a catena of decisions.
      16.2 In the case of Gian Singh (supra), in paragraph 61, this
Court has observed and held as under:
                                                                                C
      “61. The position that emerges from the above discussion can be
      summarised thus: the power of the High Court in quashing a
      criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent
      jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a
      criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320
      of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory        D
      limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline
      engrafted in such power viz.: (i) to secure the ends of justice, or
      (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court. In what cases
      power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or FIR may
      be exercised where the offender and the victim have settled their         E
      dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each
      case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise
      of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature
      and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental
      depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be
      fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim’s family and the       F
      offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private
      in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, any
      compromise between the victim and the offender in relation to
      the offences under special statutes like the Prevention of Corruption
      Act or the offences committed by public servants while working            G
      in that capacity, etc.; cannot provide for any basis for quashing
      criminal proceedings involving such offences. But the criminal
      cases having overwhelmingly and predominatingly civil flavour
      stand on a different footing for the purposes of quashing, particularly
      the offences arising from commercial, financial, mercantile, civil,
                                                                                H
446            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A           partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising out of
            matrimony relating to dowry, etc. or the family disputes where
            the wrong is basically private or personal in nature and the parties
            have resolved their entire dispute. In this category of cases, the
            High Court may quash the criminal proceedings if in its view,
            because of the compromise between the offender and the victim,
B
            the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation
            of the criminal case would put the accused to great oppression
            and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by
            not quashing the criminal case despite full and complete settlement
            and compromise with the victim. In other words, the High Court
C           must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest
            of justice to continue with the criminal proceeding or continuation
            of the criminal proceeding would tantamount to abuse of process
            of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim
            and the wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is
            appropriate that the criminal case is put to an end and if the answer
D
            to the above question(s) is in the affirmative, the High Court shall
            be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceeding.”
            16.3 In the case of Narinder Singh vs. State of Punjab (2014)
      6 SCC 466, after considering the decision in the case of Gian Singh
      (supra), in paragraph 29, this Court summed up as under:
E
            “29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down
            the following principles by which the High Court would be guided
            in giving adequate treatment to the settlement between the parties
            and exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code while
            accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing
F           to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal
            proceedings:
            29.1. 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
G           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.
H
THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                              447
               [M. R. SHAH, J.]

  29.2. When the parties have reached the settlement and on that         A
  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.
                                                                         B
  While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion
  on either of the aforesaid two objectives.
  29.3. Such a power is not to be exercised in those prosecutions
  which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity
  or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not     C
  private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly,
  for the offences alleged to have been committed under special
  statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences
  committed by public servants while working in that capacity are
  not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between
  the victim and the offender.                                           D
  29.4. On the other hand, 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.      E
  29.5. While exercising its powers, the High Court is to examine
  as to whether the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and
  continuation of criminal cases would put the accused to great
  oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused
  to him by not quashing the criminal cases.                             F
  29.6. Offences under Section 307 IPC would fall in the category
  of heinous and serious offences and therefore are to be generally
  treated as crime against the society and not against the individual
  alone. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely
  because there is a mention of Section 307 IPC in the FIR or the        G
  charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the
  High Court to examine as to whether incorporation of Section
  307 IPC is there for the sake of it or the prosecution has collected
  sufficient evidence, which if proved, would lead to proving the
  charge under Section 307 IPC. For this purpose, it would be open
                                                                         H
448      SUPREME COURT REPORTS                            [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether
      such injury is inflicted on the vital/delegate parts of the body, nature
      of weapons used, etc. Medical report in respect of injuries suffered
      by the victim can generally be the guiding factor. On the basis of
      this prima facie analysis, the High Court can examine as to whether
      there is a strong possibility of conviction or the chances of
B
      conviction are remote and bleak. In the former case it can refuse
      to accept the settlement and quash the criminal proceedings
      whereas in the latter case it would be permissible for the High
      Court to accept the plea compounding the offence based on
      complete settlement between the parties. At this stage, the Court
C     can also be swayed by the fact that the settlement between the
      parties is going to result in harmony between them which may
      improve their future relationship.
      29.7. While deciding whether to exercise its power under Section
      482 of the Code or not, timings of settlement play a crucial role.
D     Those cases where the settlement is arrived at immediately after
      the alleged commission of offence and the matter is still under
      investigation, the High Court may be liberal in accepting the
      settlement to quash the criminal proceedings/investigation. It is
      because of the reason that at this stage the investigation is still on
      and even the charge-sheet has not been filed. Likewise, those
E     cases where the charge is framed but the evidence is yet to start
      or the evidence is still at infancy stage, the High Court can show
      benevolence in exercising its powers favourably, but after prima
      facie assessment of the circumstances/material mentioned above.
      On the other hand, where the prosecution evidence is almost
F     complete or after the conclusion of the evidence the matter is at
      the stage of argument, normally the High Court should refrain
      from exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code, as in
      such cases the trial court would be in a position to decide the case
      finally on merits and to come to a conclusion as to whether the
      offence under Section 307 IPC is committed or not. Similarly, in
G     those cases where the conviction is already recorded by the trial
      court and the matter is at the appellate stage before the High
      Court, mere compromise between the parties would not be a
      ground to accept the same resulting in acquittal of the offender
      who has already been convicted by the trial court. Here charge is
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                 449
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

      proved under Section 307 IPC and conviction is already recorded          A
      of a heinous crime and, therefore, there is no question of sparing
      a convict found guilty of such a crime.”
      16.4 In the case of ParbatbhaiAahir (supra), again this Court
has had an occasion to consider whether the High Court can quash the
FIR/complaint/criminal proceedings, in exercise of the inherent jurisdiction   B
under Section 482 Cr.P.C. Considering a catena of decisions of this
Court on the point, this Court summarised the following propositions:
          “(1) Section 482 CrPC preserves the inherent powers of the
      High Court to prevent an abuse of the process of any court or to
      secure the ends of justice. The provision does not confer new            C
      powers. It only recognises and preserves powers which inhere in
      the High Court.
           (2) The invocation of the jurisdiction of the High Court to
      quash a first information report or a criminal proceeding on the
      ground that a settlement has been arrived at between the offender        D
      and the victim is not the same as the invocation of jurisdiction for
      the purpose of compounding an offence. While compounding an
      offence, the power of the court is governed by the provisions of
      Section 320 CrPC. The power to quash under Section 482 is
      attracted even if the offence is non-compoundable.
                                                                               E
          (3) In forming an opinion whether a criminal proceeding or
      complaint should be quashed in exercise of its jurisdiction under
      Section 482, the High Court must evaluate whether the ends of
      justice would justify the exercise of the inherent power.
          (4) While the inherent power of the High Court has a wide            F
      ambit and plenitude it has to be exercised (i) to secure the ends of
      justice, or (ii) to prevent an abuse of the process of any court.
         (5) the decision as to whether a complaint or first information
      report should be quashed on the ground that the offender and
      victim have settled the dispute, revolves ultimately on the facts
                                                                               G
      and circumstances of each case and no exhaustive elaboration of
      principles can be formulate.
         (6) In the exercise of the power under Section 482 and while
      dealing with a plea that the dispute has been settled, the High
      Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the
                                                                               H
450            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                           [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A           offence. Heinous and serious offences involving mental depravity
            or offences such as murder, rape and dacoity cannot appropriately
            be quashed though the victim or the family of the victim have
            settled the dispute. Such offences are, truly speaking, not private
            in nature but have a serious impact upon society. The decision to
            continue with the trial in such cases is founded on the overriding
B
            element of public interest in punishing persons for serious offences.
            (7) As distinguished from serious offences, there may be criminal
            cases which have an overwhelming or predominant element of a
            civil dispute. They stand on a distinct footing insofar as the exercise
            of the inherent power to quash is concerned.
C
                (8) Criminal cases involving offences which arise from
            commercial, financial, mercantile, partnership or similar
            transactions with an essentially civil flavour may in appropriate
            situations fall for quashing where parties have settled the dispute.
D               (9) In such a case, the High Court may quash the criminal
            proceeding if in view of the compromise between the disputants,
            the possibility of a conviction is remote and the continuation of a
            criminal proceeding would cause oppression and prejudice; and
                (10) There is yet an exception to the principle set out in
E           Propositions (8) and (9) above. Economic offences involving the
            financial and economic well-being of the State have implications
            which lie beyond the domain of a mere dispute between private
            disputants. The High Court would be justified in declining to quash
            where the offender is involved in an activity akin to a financial or
            economic fraud or misdemeanour. The consequences of the act
F           complained of upon the financial or economic system will weigh
            in the balance.”
             16.5 In the case of Manish (supra), this Court has specifically
      observed and held that, when it comes to the question of compounding
      an offence under Sections 307, 294 and 34 IPC (as in the appeal @
G     SLP(Crl.) No. 9859/2013) along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms
      Act (as in the appeal @ SLP(Crl.) No. 9860/2013), by no stretch of
      imagination, can it be held to be an offence as between the private parties
      simpliciter. It is observed that such offences will have a serious impact
      on the society at large. It is further observed that where the accused
      are facing trial under Sections 307, 294 read with Section 34 IPC as well
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                 451
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

as Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, as the offences are definitely          A
against the society, accused will have to necessarily face trial and come
out unscathed by demonstrating their innocence.
       16.6 In the case of Deepak (supra), this Court has specifically
observed that as offence under Section 307 IPC is non-compoundable
and as the offence under Section 307 is not a private dispute between          B
the parties inter se, but is a crime against the society, quashing of the
proceedings on the basis of a compromise is not permissible. Similar is
the view taken by this Court in a recent decision of this Court in the case
of Kalyan Singh (supra).
       17. Now so far as the decisions of this Court upon which the            C
learned counsel appearing on behalf of the accused has placed reliance,
referred to hereinabove, are concerned, none of the decisions shall be of
any assistance to the accused in the present case. In all the aforesaid
cases, the dispute was a matrimonial dispute, and/or the dispute
predominantly of a civil dispute, and/or of the dispute where the wrong
is basically private or personal.                                              D

       18. Now so far as the reliance placed upon the decision of this
Court in the case of Shiji (supra), while quashing the respective FIRs
by observing that as the complainant has compromised with the accused,
there is no possibility of recording a conviction, and/or the further trial
would be an exercise in futility is concerned, we are of the opinion that      E
the High Court has clearly erred in quashing the FIRs on the aforesaid
ground. It appears that the High Court has misread or misapplied the
said decision to the facts of the cases on hand. The High Court ought to
have appreciated that it is not in every case where the complainant has
entered into a compromise with the accused, there may not be any               F
conviction.Such observations are presumptive and many a time too early
to opine. In a given case, it may happen that the prosecution still can
prove the guilt by leading cogent evidence and examining the other
witnesses and the relevant evidence/material, more particularly when
the dispute is not a commercial transaction and/or of a civil nature and/
or is not a private wrong. In the case of Shiji (supra), this Court found      G
that the case had its origin in the civil dispute between the parties, which
dispute was resolved by them and therefore this Court observed that,
‘that being so, continuance of the prosecution where the complainant is
not ready to support the allegations…will be a futile exercise that will
serve no purpose’. In the aforesaid case, it was also further observed         H
452            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                          [2019] 4 S.C.R.


A     ‘that even the alleged two eyewitnesses, however, closely related to the
      complainant, were not supporting the prosecution version’, and to that
      this Court observed and held ‘that the continuance of the proceedings is
      nothing but an empty formality and Section 482 Cr.P.C. can, in such
      circumstances, be justifiably invoked by the High Court to prevent abuse
      of the process of law and thereby preventing a wasteful exercise by the
B
      courts below. Even in the said decision, in paragraph 18, it is observed
      as under:
            “18. Having said so, we must hasten to add that the plenitude of
            the power under Section 482 CrPC by itself, makes it obligatory
            for the High Court to exercise the same with utmost care and
C           caution. The width and the nature of the power itself demands
            that its exercise is sparing and only in cases where the High Court
            is, for reasons to be recorded, of the clear view that continuance
            of the prosecution would be nothing but an abuse of the process
            of law. It is neither necessary nor proper for us to enumerate the
D           situations in which the exercise of power under Section 482 may
            be justified. All that we need to say is that the exercise of power
            must be for securing the ends of justice and only in cases where
            refusal to exercise that power may result in the abuse of the
            process of law. The High Court may be justified in declining
            interference if it is called upon to appreciate evidence for it cannot
E           assume the role of an appellate court while dealing with a petition
            under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Subject to the
            above, the High Court will have to consider the facts and
            circumstances of each case to determine whether it is a fit case
            in which the inherent powers may be invoked.”
F            18.1 Therefore, the said decision may be applicable in a case
      which has its origin in the civil dispute between the parties; the parties
      have resolved the dispute; that the offence is not against the society at
      large and/or the same may not have social impact; the dispute is a family/
      matrimonial dispute etc. The aforesaid decision may not be applicable
G     in a case where the offences alleged are very serious and grave offences,
      having a social impact like offences under Section 307 IPC and 25/27 of
      the Arms Act etc. Therefore, without proper application of mind to the
      relevant facts and circumstances, in our view, the High Court has
      materially erred in mechanically quashing the respective FIRs, by
      observing that in view of the compromise, there are no chances of
H
   THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. DHRUV GURJAR                                   453
                  [M. R. SHAH, J.]

recording conviction and/or the further trial would be an exercise in            A
futility. The High Court has mechanically considered the aforesaid
decision of this Court in the case of Shiji (supra), without considering
the relevant facts and circumstances of the case.
        18.2 Even otherwise, in the facts and circumstances of the case
of the appeal arising from SLP(Crl.) No. 9860/2013, the High Court has           B
erred in quashing the FIR. It is required to be noted that the FIR was
lodged on 21.12.2012 for the offence alleged to happen on 21.12.2012.
All the accused were absconding.After a period of approximately three
months, they approached the High Court by way of filing a petition under
Section 482 of the Cr.P.C., i.e., on 12.03.2013. The learned Chief Judicial
Magistrate issued a proclamation under Section 82 of the Cr.P.C. against         C
the accused persons on 14.03.2013. In the meantime, the accused
managed to get the affidavits of the complainant and the two witnesses
dated 09.02.2013, and the High Court quashed the FIR on 15.03.2013,
i.e., within a period of three days from the date of filing the petition. The
High Court has also not considered the antecedents of the accused. It            D
has come on record that the accused persons were facing number of
trials for the serious offences. The aforesaid would be relevant factors,
while exercising the inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C and while
considering the application for quashing the FIR/complaint/criminal
proceedings. In fact, in such a situation, the High Court ought to have
been more vigilant and ought to have considered relevant facts and               E
circumstances under which the accused got the settlement entered into.
The High Court has not at all considered the aforesaid relevant
circumstances, while exercising the power under Section 482 Cr.P.C.
       19. In view of the above and for the reasons stated, both these
appeals succeed, and are hereby allowed. The impugned judgments                  F
and orders passed by the High Court are hereby set aside, and the
respective FIRs/investigation/criminal proceedings be proceeded against
the respective accused, and they shall be dealt with, in accordance with
law.
                                                                                 G
Divya Pandey                                                  Appeals allowed.




                                                                                 H