High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeQuashed

Muhammed Sinan T P and T P Shameena v. State of Kerala and Shahana K V

Case / Petition Number:CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025
Neutral Citation:2025:KER:19176

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • C. Jayachandran
Judgment Date
2025-03-03
Court Decision / Holding
This Crl.M.C. is allowed. Annexure-A1 FIR, Annexure-A2 Final Report in Crime No.423/2023, and all further proceedings in CC No.883/2023 are quashed.
Final Disposition
Quashed

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Muhammed Sinan T P
  • T P Shameena

Respondents

  • State of Kerala
  • Shahana K V

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Adv Jasneed Jamal

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Adv M. Anuroop
  • • Sri. Sanal P Raj (Public Prosecutor)

Case Synopsis & Summary

Petitioners Muhammed Sinan T P and T P Shameena approached the Kerala High Court under Section 482 CrPC seeking quashment of Crime No.423/2023 registered at Valapattanam Police Station, Kannur, and the proceedings in CC No.883/2023 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate II, Kannur, alleging that a bona fide settlement had been arrived at between the parties and that there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction under Section 498A IPC. The 2nd respondent Shahana K V, the de facto complainant, and the State, through the Public Prosecutor, supported settlement; the defacto complainant filed an affidavit stating that the disputes have been amicably settled and that she has no grievance against the petitioners, and she has no objection to quashing the criminal proceedings. The petitioners rely on established jurisprudence, notably B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana and Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, to contend that where a settlement is genuine and the chances of conviction are slim, continued proceedings would amount to abuse of process and should be quashed in the interest of ends of justice. The High Court, finding the settlement genuine and bonafide and the required parameters satisfied, allowed the Crl.M.C. and quashed FIR 423/2023, the final report, and all further proceedings in CC 883/2023. The order is dated 3 March 2025 by Justice C. Jayachandran.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 498A IPCSection 482 Cr.P.C (now Section 528 of BNSS, 2023)Section 320 IPC

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Ends of justice are higher than ends of mere law
  • Abuse of process of court
  • Inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners submit that the disputes between the parties have been settled amicably. With a genuine settlement and no reasonable likelihood of conviction under Section 498A IPC, continuing prosecution would be an abuse of process and fail the ends of justice. Citing B.S. Joshi and Gian Singh, they contend that the High Court may quash the proceedings under its inherent powers when public interest and bona fides warrant closure of the case.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents acknowledge the settlement and place on record the de facto complainant’s affidavit stating no grievance and no objection to quashing. They submit that where a settlement is genuine and there is no significant likelihood of conviction, quashing serves the ends of justice and avoids harassment, aligning with the established jurisprudence in the cited precedents.

Cited Precedents (3)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another[(2012) 10 SCC 303]PositiveCited as part of the jurisprudential framework supporting quashing under Section 482 CrPC in the context of matrimonial disputes after a bona fide settlement; its principles are stated as being confirmed and applied.
B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana and Anr.[(2003) 4 SCC 675]PositiveCited for the proposition that ends of justice may override mere legal considerations, supporting quashing where there is compromise and low likelihood of conviction.
State of Karnataka v. L. Muniswamy[(1977) 2 SCC 699]Mentioned OnlyCited as the origin of the idea that ends of justice are higher than ends of mere law, but not directly relied upon as the immediate basis for the present quashing order.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 1 2025:KER:19176 ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ``` PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. JAYACHANDRAN ``` ``` MONDAY, THE 3[RD] DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 12TH PHALGUNA, 1946 ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` CRIME NO.423/2023 OF Valappatanam Police Station, Kannur ``` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT IN CC NO.883 OF 2023 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS -II, KANNUR ``` ## `PETITIONERS:` ``` 1MUHAMMED SINAN T P AGED 30 YEARS S/O. SHAMEENA T P, SHAMEENA’S HOUSE, NEAR BOAT JETTY, VALAPATANAM, VALAPATANAM BRIDGE, KANNUR DISTRICT., PIN - 670010 ``` ``` 2T P SHAMEENA AGED 50 YEARS W/O. KC SALEEM, SHAMEENA’S HOUSE, NEAR BOAT JETTY, VALAPATANAM, VALAPATANAM BRIDGE, KANNUR DISTRICT., PIN - 670010 ``` ## `BY ADV JASNEED JAMAL` ## `RESPONDENT/S:` ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 ``` ``` 2SHAHANA K V AGED 25 YEARS ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2 2025:KER:19176 ``` ``` D/O. ABDUL JABBAR P K, P P A HOUSE, PULLOOPI, PARAPPURAM, KANNADIPARAMBA POST, CHELERI, KANNUR DISTRICT., PIN - 670604 ``` ``` BY ADV M.ANUROOP ``` ## `OTHER PRESENT:` ``` SRI. SANAL P RAJ (PP) ``` ``` THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 03.03.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 3 2025:KER:19176 ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`C. JAYACHANDRAN, J. -----------------------------------Crl.M.C.No.1412 of 2023`** ``` ------------------------------------ Dated, this the 3[rd] day of March, 2025 ``` ## **`ORDER`** ## **`B.S.Joshi and Others v. State of Haryana and another`** ``` [(2003) 4 SCC 675] held that the offence under Section 498A can be quashed by the High Court exercising its inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C (now Section 528 of BNSS, 2023), though such offence is not compoundable under Section 320. Relying on State of Karnataka v. L. Muniswamy [(1977) 2 SCC 699], a two Judges Bench in B.S. Joshi (Supra) held that ends of justice are higher than ends of mere law, though justice has got to be administered according to laws made by legislature. The fact that there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction, in the wake of settlement between the parties, was taken stock of. The following findings in ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 4 2025:KER:19176 ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`B.S.Joshi`** `(supra) are relevant and extracted here below:` ``` “What would happen to the trial of the case where the wife does not support the imputations made in the FIR of the type in question. As earlier noticed, now she has filed an affidavit that the FIR was registered at her instance due to temperamental differences and implied imputations. There may be many reasons for not supporting the imputations. It may be either for the reason that she has resolved disputes with her husband and his other family members and as a result thereof she has again started living with her husband, with whom she earlier had differences or she has willingly parted company and is living happily on her own or has married someone else on the earlier marriage having been dissolved by divorce on consent of parties or fails to support the prosecution on some other similar grounds. In such eventuality, there would almost be no chance of conviction. Would it then be proper to decline to exercise power of quashing on the ground that it would be permitting the parties to compound non-compoundable offences? The answer clearly has to be in the "negative". It would, however, be a different matter if the High Court on facts declines the prayer for quashing for any valid reasons including lack of bona fides.” ``` ``` 2.The dictum laid down inB.S.Joshi (supra) was ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 5 2025:KER:19176 ``` ``` doubted along with that laid down in other cases and referred to and considered by a three Judges Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court inGian Singh v. State of Punjab and another [(2012) 10 SCC 303].B.S.Joshi (supra), along with other cases, were confirmed by the Supreme Court. It is relevant to note that the subject matter inB.S.Joshi (supra) was specifically with reference to the offences under Section 498A and 406 of the Indian Penal Code. ``` ``` 3.In the facts at hand, petitioners are the accused persons in Crime No.423/2023 of Baliapattam Police Station, Kannur, now pending as C.C.No.883/2023 before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Kannur. As per the final report, the offence alleged is under Section 498A 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. ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 6 2025:KER:19176 ``` ``` 4.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, learned counsel for the defacto complainant/2[nd] respondent and the learned Public Prosecutor. Perused the records. ``` ``` 5.When this Crl.M.C was moved, this Court directed to record the statement of the defacto complainant. The said direction was complied and the statement was handed over. On perusal of the same, it is clear that the defacto complainant is not anymore interested to proceed with the prosecution case, as against the petitioners. That apart, it is noticed that, along with this Crl.M.C, an affidavit has been sworn to by the defacto complainant (2[nd] respondent herein) as Annexure-A3, wherein she would unequivocally state that the disputes have been amicably settled. The defacto complainant would also swear that she has no grievance against the petitioners and that she has no objection in quashing the criminal proceedings against the petitioners. The affidavit is sworn to on her free will. This Court, is ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 7 2025:KER:19176 ``` ``` therefore, convinced that the settlement arrived at is genuine and bonafide. Learned Counsel for the defacto complainant/ 2[nd] respondent would also endorse that the quashment sought for can be allowed. ``` ``` 6.In the light of the above referred facts, this Court is of the opinion that the necessary parameters, as culled out inB.S.Joshi (supra) andGian 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. ``` ``` In the circumstances, this Crl.M.C. is allowed. ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 8 2025:KER:19176 ``` ``` Annexure-A1 FIR, Annexure-A2 Final Report in Crime No.423/2023 andallfurtherproceedingsin C.C.No.883/2023 of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Kannur, are hereby quashed. ``` ``` Sd/- ``` ## **`C. JAYACHANDRAN`** ``` JUDGE ``` ``` ska ``` ``` CRL.MC NO. 1412 OF 2025 ``` ``` 9 2025:KER:19176 ``` ``` APPENDIX OF CRL.MC 1412/2025 ``` **==> picture [58 x 57] intentionally omitted <==** ``` PETITIONER ANNEXURES ``` ``` Annexure A1CERTIFIED COPY OF FIR AND FIS IN CRIME NO. 423/2023 OF THE VALAPATTANAM POLICE STATION Annexure A2CERTIFIED COPY OF FINAL REPORT IN CRIME NO. 423 OF 2023 OF THE VALAPATTANAM POLICE STATION ``` ``` Annexure A3THE ORIGINAL AFFIDAVIT SIGNED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT/DE-FACTO COMPLAINANT. ```