High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeQuashed

Muhammed AneeZ and Mubeen Ali v. State of Kerala and Others

Case / Petition Number:CRL.M.C.No.9154 of 2024
Neutral Citation:2025:KER:25132

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • C. Jayachandran
Judgment Date
2025-03-14
Court Decision / Holding
Crl.M.C. is allowed. Annexure-A1 FIR, Annexure-A2 Final Report, and all further proceedings in CC No. 687/2022 of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Perumbavoor, against petitioners (accused nos. 3 and 5) are quashed.
Final Disposition
Quashed

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Muhammed AneeZ
  • Mubeen Ali

Respondents

  • State of Kerala
  • Jaffar Khan
  • Jisna Maitheen

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Melvin Baby

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Joel Jimmy
  • • E.C. Bineesh

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a Criminal Miscellaneous Case (Crl.M.C. No. 9154/2024) filed by accused nos. 3 and 5, Muhammed AneeZ and Mubeen Ali, challenging the validity of proceedings in CC No. 687/2022 pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Perumbavoor, under sections 143, 147, 451, 294(b) and 506 read with 149 IPC. The petition relies on a settlement between the parties and contends that further prosecution would be futile, especially since the offences relate to disputes of a personal and communal nature where the parties have settled their differences. The respondents and the Public Prosecutor concede that there is a genuine settlement; affidavits sworn by the defacto complainant and the injured party affirm there is no subsisting grievance and they have no objection to quashing. The High Court records the statements of the complainant and the victim and, applying the framework laid out in Kulwinder Singh, Gian Singh, Narinder Singh, and Madan Mohan Abbot, finds that the settlement is genuine and bonafide. It notes that the offences under sections 451 and 506 IPC are compoundable, and that compelling the petitioners to face the criminal process even after a settlement would amount to abuse of process and would thwart ends of justice. Consequently, the petition is allowed; the entire proceedings against petitioners in CC 687/2022 are quashed.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 482 CrPCSection 320 IPCSections 143, 147, 451, 294(b) and 506 read with Section 149 IPC

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Inherent power under Section 482 CrPC to quash
  • Ends of justice
  • Common sense approach to settlement in personal disputes to save court time
  • Quashing permitted where a genuine and bonafide settlement exists
  • Kulwinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2007) 4 CTC 769 (guidelines for quashing under 482)
  • Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) 10 SCC 303
  • Narinder Singh and Others v. State of Punjab (2014) 6 SCC 466
  • Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab (2008) 4 SCC 582

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend that the disputes have been settled between the parties and that continuing criminal proceedings would be futile, given the lack of subsisting grievance. They rely on sworn affidavits (Annexures A3 and A4) by the defacto complainant and the injured party stating no objection to quashing. They urge the High Court to exercise its inherent power under Section 482 CrPC to quash the proceedings in CC No. 687/2022, citing the decisions in Kulwinder Singh, Gian Singh, Narinder Singh, and Madan Mohan Abbot to support a settlement-based quashment, and noting that offences 451 and 506 are compoundable or have limited consent for resolution.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents emphasize a genuine and bonafide settlement between the parties, supported by affidavits (Annexures A3 and A4) showing there is no objection to quashing. They submit that continuing prosecutions would amount to abuse of process and that quashing would serve ends of justice. They rely on the same jurisprudence (Kulwinder Singh, Gian Singh, Narinder Singh, Madan Mohan Abbot) to justify quashing, arguing that a settlement should be respected to resolve disputes and conserve judicial resources.

Cited Precedents (4)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Kulwinder Singh and Others v. State of Punjab and Another(2007) 4 CTC 769PositiveCited with approval as the guideline for exercising powers under Section 482 CrPC to quash criminal proceedings in respect of non-compoundable offences where a settlement is genuine.
Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another(2012) 10 SCC 303PositiveQuoted with approval; supports use of inherent power under 482 CrPC to quash in presence of settlement.
Narinder Singh and Others v. State of Punjab(2014) 6 SCC 466PositiveProvides sanction for invoking 482 CrPC in the context of settlement and quashing criminal proceedings.
Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab(2008) 4 SCC 582PositiveEmphasizes a common-sense approach to accept settlements to save time and resources; justifies quashment in appropriate cases.

Diagnostic Tool

Beta

Does this judgment govern your specific facts?

Don't risk relying on a distinguishable precedent. Enter your facts or proposition below. We will test it against Muhammed AneeZ and Mubeen Ali v. State of Kerala and Others and instantly map out authorities that support, challenge, or govern your position.

Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 ``` 1 ``` **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. JAYACHANDRAN ``` ``` FRIDAY, THE 14[TH] DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 23RD PHALGUNA, 1946 ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 9154 OF 2024 ``` ``` CRIME NO.1311/2022 OF PERUMBAVOOR POLICE STATION, ERNAKULAM ``` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT DATED IN CC NO.687 OF 2022 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS-I, PERUMBAVOOR ``` ## **`PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NOS.3 AND 5:`** - **`1 MUHAMMED ANEEZ AGED 23 YEARS S/O ASEEZ C P, KUTTILANJI, ERAMALLOOR VILLAGE, IRAMALLOOR (P.O), KOTHAMANGALAM, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PIN - 686691`** - **`2 MUBEEN ALI AGED 23 YEARS S/O ALIYAR, POOKKUZHIPUTHENPURAYIL, ERAMALLOOR VILLAGE, NELLIKKUZHI, THRIKKARIYOOR, NELLIKUZHY, ERNAKULAM, KERALA, PIN - 686691`** ## **`BY ADV MELVIN BABY`** ## **`RESPONDENTS/STATE & DEFACTO COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY STATION HOUSE OFFICER, PERUMBAVOOR STATION THROUGH PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682013 ``` Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 ``` 2 ``` **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` - **`2 JAFFAR KHAN AGED 32 YEARS S/O. BAVA RESIDING AT CHIRAPPULY HOUSE, RAYAONPURAM (P.O), KANJIRAKKADU, PERUMBAVOOR, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PIN - 683543`** ``` 3JISNA MAITHEEN AGED 31 YEARS W/O JAFFARKHAN RESIDING AT CHIRAPPULY HOUSE, KANJIRAKKADU, RAYONPURAM (P.O) PERUMBAVOOR, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PIN - 683543 ``` ``` BY ADVS. JOEL JIMMY ``` ``` E.C. BINEESH ``` ``` THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON ``` ``` 14.03.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: ``` Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 **==> picture [8 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` ## **O R D E R** A five Judges Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in _**Kulwinder Singh and Others v. State of Punjab and Another**_ [(2007) 4 CTC 769], framed broad guidelines as regards quashment of the criminal proceedings under Section 482 of the Code in respect of offences which are not compoundable in terms of Section 320 of the Code. One among the guidelines was that the offences against human body, other than murder and culpable homicide, may be permitted to be compounded, when the Court is in a position to record a finding that the settlement between the parties is voluntary and fair. These guidelines were quoted with approval by a three Judges Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in _**Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another**_ [(2012) 10 SCC 303]. Similarly in _**Narinder Singh and Others v. State of Punjab**_ [(2014) 6 SCC 466], the Hon'ble Supreme Court has gone to the extent of sanctioning invocation of the inherent power under section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code to quash the Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 **==> picture [8 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` F.I.R in a crime alleging offences under Section 307, which is a henious and serious offence. A practical approach is seen adopted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in _**Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab**_ [(2008) 4 SCC 582] as regards quashment in respect of offences like 379, 406, 409, 418, etc., the relevant findings of which are extracted here below: _“6. We need to emphasise that it is perhaps advisable that in disputes where the question involved is of a purely personal nature, the court should ordinarily accept the terms of the compromise even in criminal proceedings as keeping the matter alive with no possibility of a result in favour of the prosecution is a luxury which the courts, grossly overburdened as they are, cannot afford and that the time so saved can be utilised in deciding more effective and meaningful litigation. This is a common sense approach to the matter based on ground of realities and bereft of the technicalities of the law.”_ **2.** In the facts at hand, petitioners are accused nos.3 and 5 in Crime No.1311 of 2022 of Perumbavoor Police Station, Ernakulam, now pending as C.C.No.687/2022 before the Judicial Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 **==> picture [8 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` First Class Magistrate Court-I, Perumbavoor. As per Final Report, the offences alleged are under Sections 143, 147, 451, 294(b) and 506, read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code. The petitioners seek quashment of entire proceedings in the above Calendar Case, on the strength of the settlement arrived at by and between the parties. **3.** Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners; learned counsel for respondent nos.2 and 3 and the learned Public Prosecutor. Perused the records. **4.** When this Crl.M.C was moved, this Court directed to record the statements of the defacto complainant/2[nd] respondent, as also, the victim/3[rd] respondent. The said direction was complied and their statements were handed over. On perusal of the same, it is clear that the issues between the petitioners, the defacto complainant/2[nd] respondent and the victim/3[rd] respondent, are settled and that they no longer intend to continue with the Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 **==> picture [8 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` prosecution case, as against the petitioners. They would further state that they have no objection in quashing the criminal proceedings against the petitioners. That apart, it is noticed that along with this Crl.M.C, affidavits have been sworn to by the defacto complainant (2[nd] respondent herein) and 3[rd] respondent/victim as Annexures-A3 and A4 respectively, wherein they would unequivocally state that the defacto complainant and 3[rd] respondent have no complaints against the petitioners and that they have no subsisting grievance against them. The defacto complainant and the 3[rd] respondent would also swear that they have no objection in quashing the criminal proceedings against the petitioners and that the affidavits are sworn to on their free will. Moreover, learned counsel for respondent nos.2 and 3 would submit that the relief sought for herein be allowed, in view of the settlement between the parties. This Court is therefore convinced that the settlement arrived at is genuine and bonafide. Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 **==> picture [8 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` **5.** In the light of the above referred facts, this Court is of the opinion that the necessary parameters, as culled out in _**Narinder Singh**_ (supra), _**Madan Mohan Abbot**_ (supra) and _**Gian Singh**_ (Supra), are fully satisfied. This court is convinced that further proceedings against the petitioners will be a futile exercise, inasmuch as the disputes have already been settled. There is little possibility of any conviction in the crime. _Dehors_ the settlement arrived at by and between the parties, if they are compelled to face the criminal proceedings, the same, in the estimation of this Court, will amount to abuse of process of Court. The quashment sought for would secure the ends of justice. This Court also notice that the offences under Sections 451 and 506 are compoundable, which is all the more a reason to accept the compromise between the parties. **6.** In the circumstances, this Crl.M.C. is allowed. Annexure-A1 F.I.R, Annexure-A2 Final Report, and all further Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 ``` 8 ``` **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` proceedings in C.C.No.687/2022 of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Perumbavoor, as against the petitioners (accused nos.3 and 5), are hereby quashed. Sd/- **C.JAYACHANDRAN, JUDGE** ww Crl.M.C.No.9154 of 2024 ``` 9 ``` **==> picture [57 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:25132 ``` ## **`APPENDIX OF CRL.MC 9154/2024`** ## **`PETITIONER ANNEXURES`** ``` ANNEXURE A1CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORTINCRIMENO.1311/2022OF PERUMBAVOORPOLICESTATIONDATED 13.10.2022 ``` ``` ANNEXURE A2CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT DATED 26.10.2022 IN C.C.NO. 687/2022 ON THE FILE OF HON’BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, PERUMBAVOOR, ARISING OUT OF CRIME NO.1311/2022 OF PERUMBAVOOR POLICE STATION ``` ## **`ANNEXURE A3`** ``` TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT/DE FACTO COMPLAINANT DATED 10.10.2024 ``` ``` ANNEXURE A4TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT/INJURED DATED 10.10.2024 ```