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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeQuashed method of proceedings

Crl.M.C.No.8028 of 2017

Case / Petition Number:Crl.M.C.No.8028 of 2017

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • R. Narayana Pisharadi
Judgment Date
2019-05-23
Court Decision / Holding
The petition is allowed. The entire proceedings against the petitioners in C.C.No.478/2015 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I, Neyyattinkara, are quashed.
Final Disposition
Quashed method of proceedings

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Stanly @ Papy Vanya Vialakathu Veedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Olathani Thonikkadav, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Sabu Kumar Sabu Vanya Vialakathu Veed, Kadavattaram Desom, Olathani Thonikadav, Nettinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Anishmanu Arun Bhavan, Chengal Vilalge, Chengal Desom, Parakonam, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chellakkutten CVR Bhavan, Kadavattaram Desom, Olathani, Thazhamkad, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Vijayanmohan NADHUTHATTU Puthenveedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Olathani, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Suresh Sujin Bhavan, Olathinathi Narakam Kuzhi, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Rajendran Attuvila Thattuveedu, Nechiyoor Desom, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Binu Attuvilambu Panabali Veedu, Neyyavoor Desom, Chengal Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Suresh Babu Avi Kuzhi Road Arikattu Veedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Premachandran Pachin Pathirisseri Veedu, Kadamattill Desom, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Surendran Thalzhankal Veedu, Kadavattal Desom, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Gopinathan Binu Thuduvila Veedu, Chengal Desom, Chengal Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Vijayakumar Kadambanakal Thazethattu, Chengal Desom, Chengal Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Sundran Eranjikanimethattu Puthenveedu, Nochiyaoor Desom, Chengal Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Nelson Manalmel Kizhakumvilakam Veedu, Kadavattil Desom, Olathanti, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Santhosh Olathini Varuvilakathu Veedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara Village, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Jayan Olathini Varuvilakathu PuthenvEedhu, Kadavattill Desom, Neyyattinkara Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Mohan(n) Olathani Taithottam Veedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Stefanchulla Maniyan Olathini Edavazhikara Puthen Veedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chrithudas Othanani Edavazhiikara Mele Puthenveed
  • Sanu Olathani Mele Thazhhangadu Puthenveedu, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Sivaranjan Sivarajan TGS Nivas, Olathani Plangala, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by the Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala, Ernakulam, representing the Sub Inspector of Police, Neyyattinkara Police Station
  • Darly (D/o KJANABHARAM NADAR), aged 77 years, Kadavattaram Desom, Neyyattinkara Village, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sri.V.G.Arun (K/795/2004)
  • • Sri. Indulekha Joseph
  • • Sri.Neeraj Narayan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Dileep D Bhatt
  • • E.C. Bineesh

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a Kerala High Court criminal miscellaneous case (Crl.M.C. No.8028 of 2017) arising from Crime No.1039 of 2012 registered with Neyyattinkara Police Station and the connected case C.C.No.478 of 2015 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Neyyattinkara. The petition, filed by 1st to 22nd accused, seeks to quash the entire proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C. The Garda of the matter lies in a dispute over trespass, threats, and theft of trees on the de facto complainant’s property, with the first information report lodging allegations of offences under Sections 447 (criminal trespass), 379 (theft), and 506(i) read with 34 IPC. The petition relies on a compromise between the accused and the second respondent (the de facto complainant), evidenced by Annexure-A3, wherein she states she does not want to prosecute further and has no objection to quashing. The second respondent’s counsel does not dispute the genuineness of Annexure-A3, and the public prosecutor corroborates by noting that the real trouble-causer is no more and that there is no complaint against others. The High Court, applying Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, holds that where acts are not heinous and a settlement exists, the proceedings may be quashed to prevent abuse of process. Consequently, the court quashes the entire CC proceeding against all petitioners.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 482 Cr.P.C. (Criminal Procedure Code, 1973)Sections 447, 379 and 506(1) IPC read with Section 34 IPC

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Abuse of process of the court
  • Power of High Court to quash criminal proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C in the interests of justice, especially where there is a settlement between the accused and the de facto complainant

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend that there has been a genuine settlement with the second respondent, supported by Annexure-A3, wherein she swears to not prosecute and to permit quashing. They emphasise that the offences—trespass, theft, and threats—are not heinous and have a personal impact on the complainant; though non-compoundable, the criminal proceedings can be quashed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. in the interests of justice in light of the settlement, as approved by Gian Singh v. State of Punjab. They maintain quashing would avoid harassment and further litigation, allowing closure and rehabilitation of the parties.

Contentions of Respondents

The second respondent’s counsel does not dispute the authenticity or contents of Annexure-A3. The Public Prosecutor confirms the non-serious, non-heinous nature of the offences and places reliance on the statement that the real troublemaker is no longer alive, with no ongoing complaint against others. On these grounds, and given the settlement, there is no obstruction to quashing the proceedings under 482 Cr.P.C.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Gian Singh v. State of Punjab2012(10) SCC 33PositiveCited as controlling authority for quashing criminal proceedings under 482 Cr.P.C. where there is a settlement between accused and complainant, especially for non-heinous, personal acts.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. NARAYANA PISHARADI** **THURSDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF MAY 2019 / 2ND JYAISHTA, 1941** ## **Crl.MC.No. 8028 of 2017** **CC 478/2015 of JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS -I,NEYYATINKARA CRIME NO. 1039/2012 OF Neyyattinkara Police Station , Thiruvananthapuram** ## **PETITIONERS/1ST ACCUSED TO 22ND ACCUSED:** - **1 STANLY @ PAPY VANYA VIALAKATHU VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,OLATHANI THONIKADAVU, NEYYATINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **2 SABU KUMARSABU VANYA VIALAKATHU VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,OLATHANI THONIKADAVU, NETTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **3 ANISHMANU ARUN BHAVAN, CHENGAL VILALGE, CHENGAL DESOM,PARAKONAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **4 CHELLAKUTTAN CVR BHAVAN, KADAVATTARAM DESOM, OLATHANI,THAZHAMKAD, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **5 VIJAYANMOHANAN NADHUTHATTU PUTHENVEEDU, KADVATTARAM, OLATHANI,NEYYATTINKAA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **6 SURESH SUJIN BHAVAN, OLATTHINATHI NARAKAM KUZHI,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **7 RAJENDRAN** - **ATTUVILA THATTUVEEDU, NECHIYOOR DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **8 BINU** **ATTUVILAMBU PANABALI VEEDU, NEYYAVOOR DESOM,CHENGAL VILLAGE, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 2 - **9 SURESH BABU** - **AVI KUZHI ROAD ARIKATTU VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **10 PREMACHANDRANPACHAN PATHIRISSERI VEEDU, KADAMATTIL DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **11 SURENDRAN** - **THALZHANKAL VEEDU, KADAVATTAL DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **12 GOPINATHAN BINU THUDUVILA VEEDU, CHENGAL DESOM, CHENGAL VILLAGE,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **13 VIJAYAKUMAR KADAMBANAKKAL THAZETHATTU, CHENGAL DESOM,CHENGAL VILLAGE, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **14 SUNDRAN ERANJIKANIMELETHATTU PUTHENVEEDU, NOCHIYOOR DESOM,CHENGAL VILLAGE, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** **15 NELSON MANALMEL KIZHAKUMVILAKAM VEEDU, KADAVATTIL DESOM,OLATHANTHI, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **16 SANTHOSH OLATHINI VARUVILAKATHU VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **17 JAYAN OLATHINI VARUVILAKATHU PUTHENVEEDU,KADAVATTIL DESOM, NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **18 MOHANAN OLATHANI THAITHOTTAM VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **19 STEFANCHULLA MANIYAN OLATHINI EDAVAZHIKARA PUTHEN VEEDU, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 3 - **20 CHRITHUDAS OTHANANI EDAVAZHIKARA MELE PUTHENVEEDU,KADAVATTARAM DESOM, NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE,NEYYATTINKARA , THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** ## **21 SANU OLATHANI MELE THAZHANGADU PUTHENVEEDU,KADAVATTARAM DESOM, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** - **22 SIVARAJAN** **TGS NIVAS, OLATHANI PLANGALA, KADAVATTARAM DESOM,NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE, NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** **BY ADVS. SRI.V.G.ARUN (K/795/2004) SMT.INDULEKHA JOSEPH SRI.NEERAJ NARAYAN** ## **RESPONDENTS/STATE AND DE FACTO COMPLAINANT** - **1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM, REPRESENTING THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, NEYYATTINKARA POLICE STATION.695001** - **2 DARLY** **D/O KJANABHARAM NADAR, AGED 77 YEARS,KADAVATTARAM DESOM, NEYYATTINKARA VILLAGE,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.695121** **BY ADV. SRI.DILEEP D BHAT FOR R2 SRI.E.C.BINEESH PUBLIC PROSECUTOR** **THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 23.05.2019, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:** Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 4 ## **R.NARAYANA PISHARADI, J** ************************ Crl.M.C.No.8028 of 2017 -----------------------------------------Dated this the 23[rd] day of May, 2019 ## **O R D E R** The petitioners are the accused in the case C.C.No.478/2015 pending before the Court of the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I, Neyyattinkara. The petition is filed to quash the entire proceedings against them in the case, by invoking the power of this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 2. The case against the petitioners has been initiated on the basis of the first information statement given to the police by the second respondent in which she alleged that the petitioners and some other persons had trespassed into her property and threatened her and that they committed theft of some trees from the property. Annexure-A1 first information report was registered in the matter on the basis of the aforesaid statement. After completing the investigation of the case, Annexure-A2 final report (charge sheet) was filed Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 5 against the petitioners for the offences punishable under Sections 447, 379 and 506(i) read with 34 I.P.C. The learned Magistrate has taken cognizance of the aforesaid offences and numbered the case as C.C.No.478/2015. 3. The prayer in this petition is to quash the entire proceedings in the case against the petitioners. It is stated that the petitioners and the second respondent have amicably settled the matter and that continuation of the proceedings against the petitioners would be an abuse of the process of the court. 4. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned public prosecutor. 5. The petitioners have produced an affidavit (Annexure-A3) sworn to by the second respondent. She has stated in the affidavit that the matter has been compromised with the accused in the presence of mediators and that she does not want to prosecute the case further and that she has no objection to quash further proceedings in the case. 6. The second respondent is represented before this Court by a counsel. Learned counsel for the second respondent has not disputed the genuineness of Annexure-A3 Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 6 affidavit or the contents therein. 7. Learned Public Prosecutor has produced before this Court a copy of the statement given to the police by the second respondent on 06.12.2017. It is mentioned in this statement that the person who had really caused trouble her is no more and that she has got no complaint against the other person. 8. The offences alleged against the petitioners are not heinous. The acts allegedly committed by the petitioners have no serious impact on the society and they are personal in nature. In such circumstances, though the offences are not compoundable, prosecution proceedings can be quashed by invoking the power of this Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C ( **Gian Singh v. State of Punjab : 2012(10) SCC 33.** It follows that, in view of the settlement of the matter between the petitioners/accused and the second respondent, the entire proceedings in the case C.C.No.478/2015 pending before the lower court, which are based on Annexure-A2 report, can be quashed. Consequently, the petition is allowed. The entire proceedings against the petitioners in the case Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 7 C.C.No.478/2015 pending before the Court of the Judicial First Class Magistrate -I, Neyyattinkara, which are based on Annexure-A2 final report, are hereby quashed. (sd/-) **R.NARAYANA PISHARADI, JUDGE** jsr/23/05/2019 Crl.M.C.No.8028/2017 8 ## **APPENDIX** ## **PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS:** **ANNEXURE A1 CERTIFIED COPY OF THE F.I.R IN CRIME NO.1039 OF 2012 DATED 02.11.2012 OF NEYYATTINKARA POLICE STATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** **ANNEXURE A2 A TRUE COPY OF FINAL REPORT OF CC NO.478 OF 2015 IN CRIME NO.1039 OF 2012 ON THE FILES OF THE JFCM-1, NEYYATTINKARA.** **ANNEXURE A3 A TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT DATED 17.10.2017 SWORE BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT.** RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS NIL TRUE COPY PS TO JUDGE