High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeQuashed
RMP INFO TEC PVT. LTD. v. State of Kerala and others
Case / Petition Number:CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- V. G. Arun
- Judgment Date
- 2021-05-17
- Court Decision / Holding
- CRL.MC 1841/2021 is allowed. The proceedings in CC 635/2018 before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kalpetta, Wayanad, are quashed.
- Final Disposition
- Quashed
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- RMP INFO TEC PVT. LTD.
- Chandan
- DAVAL CHANDAN
- PRAVEEN KUMAR CHANDAN
- DILEEP KUMAR CHANDAN
- RAJESH KUMAR CHANDAN
- DAYALAN
- M. SHAMSUDEEN
- SAJI PARAKKAL
- JAMES MATHEW
- RENNY VARGHESE
- ABHILASH THOMAS
- NABEEL MOHAMMED
- MUBEEL MOHAMMED
- C.V. SUNIL KUMAR
- STEEPHEN T.V
- K.B. SUNILBABU
- P. SUNILKUMAR
- SREEJITH NAIR
- ARCHITH REMESH
- SAJEEV KALPETTA
- SREJITH S.R
- ARUN THOMAS
- ANEESH VARGHESE
- K.J. MATHEW
- REJI A.L
- SAJI MADAKKARA
- THOMAS CHULLIYODU
- BENOY KURIAN
- S/O PAILY MATHEW
Respondents
- State of Kerala
- Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala, Ernakulam
- The Detective Inspector 2, CBCIS, EOW-III, Kozhikode
- Jaysingh @ Sasi S/O Ramakrishnan
- Felix Rajesh
- Shaji Lawrence
- Surendran K.K
- Rosly Joseph
- Sony Jacob
- John P.V
- SanoJ Panicker @ Sree Ganesh
- Balakrishnan
- Arun V
- Biju K.
- P.A. Raju
- Hariharan
- N. Velukutty
- Jilson
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • Adv. Elias Paul
Counsels for Respondents
- • PP M.R. DHANIL
Case Synopsis & Summary
This is a Criminal Miscellaneous Case in the Kerala High Court, filed as CRL.MC No. 1841 of 2021, challenging the order/judgment in CC 635/2018 of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kalpetta, Wayanad. The petitioners are accused in Crime No. 174 of 2011 registered at Meppadi Police Station for offences under IPC sections 420, 120B read with 34, and under Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act, 1987. The respondents 3–17 have filed affidavits indicating an amicable settlement with no subsisting grievances. The Public Prosecutor states the petitioners have no criminal antecedents. After examining the gravity of the offences, the injuries, and the settled affidavits, the Court finds the dispute settled and that no public interest is involved; it notes that the possibility of conviction is remote due to the settlement. Annexures show the court’s prior quashings in similar contexts. Relying on Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab (2008) 4 SCC 582 and Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another (2012) 10 SCC 303, the Court concludes there is no impediment to granting relief. The CRL.MC is allowed, CC 635/2018 is quashed, and the proceedings are terminated.
Provisions of Law Cited
IPC Section 420IPC Section 120-BIPC Section 34Prize Chits and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act, 1987 – Sections 4, 5 and 6
Legal Doctrines & Maxims
- Amicable settlement can warrant quashing of criminal proceedings where no public interest is involved
- Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab (2008) 4 SCC 582
- Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another (2012) 10 SCC 303
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The applicants submitted that the dispute is settled amicably with the complainants and other injured parties (respondents 3–17), with no subsisting grievance, and that there is no public interest in continuing criminal proceedings long after their origin. They pointed to affidavits and annexures showing a consistent settlement and to past quashing orders (Annexure XVII) to illustrate the settled posture of the matter. Relying on Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab (2008) 4 SCC 582 and Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) 10 SCC 303, they argued that the High Court may exercise its inherent powers to quash the proceedings when settlement exists and no public interest requires continued prosecution. Continued proceedings would unnecessarily prolong litigation; the ends of justice are better served by quashing CC 635/2018.
Contentions of Respondents
The respondents acknowledged the affidavits indicating settlement and stated that there is no grievance to be pursued; they emphasized that the gravity of the alleged offences and the public interest in criminal prosecutions must guide the court’s exercise of power. Since the affidavits and accompanying material show settlement and no ongoing grievance, the respondents indicated no public interest in continuing the proceedings, aligning with the settlement-based quashing approach, as supported by the cited precedents.
Cited Precedents (2)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab | (2008) 4 SCC 582 | Positive | Cited to support quashing criminal proceedings where there is amicable settlement and no public interest issue. |
| Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another | (2012) 10 SCC 303 | Positive | Cited as a controlling authority endorsing settlement-based quashing and consideration of public interest in such cases. |
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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 V.G.ARUN**
**MONDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF MAY 2021 / 27TH VAISAKHA, 1943**
## **CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
## **AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGEMENT IN CC 635/2018 OF CHIEF JUDICIAL**
## **MAGISTRATE , KALEPETTA, Wayanad**
## **PETITIONER/S:**
**RMP INFO TEC PVT. LTD.,**
- **COMPANY, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, DAVAL**
**1. CHANDAN , APPOLO, DUBAI PLAZA BUILDING, MAHALINGAPURAM ROAD, CHENNAI-34.**
## **DAVAL CHANDAN,**
**2. S/O JAWAHARMAL CHANDAN, H.NO.25(OLD NO.12-1), PERUMALMUTHALI STREET, ROYALPETTA, CHENNAI-14.**
## **PRAVEEN KUMAR CHANDAN,**
**3. S/O JAWAHARMAL CHANDAN, H.NO.25(OLD NO.12-1), PERUMALMUTHALI STREET, ROYALPETTA, CHENNAI-14.**
## **DILEEP KUMAR CHANDAN**
**4. S/O JAWAHARMAL CHANDAN, H.NO.25(OLD NO.12-1), PERUMALMUTHALI STREET, ROYALPETTA, CHENNAI-14.**
## **RAJESH KUMAR CHANDAN,**
**5. S/O JAWAHARMAL CHANDAN, H.NO.25(OLD NO.12-1), PERUMALMUTHALI STREET, ROYALPETTA, CHENNAI-14.**
## **DAYALAN,**
**6. S/O THUKKURAMAN, PLOT NO. 57-1/KGR NAGAR, KATTUPAKKAM P.O, THIRUVALLUR DISTRICT, CHENNAI-56**
## **M. SHAMSUDEEN,**
**7. S/O MUHAMMED ABDUL KHADER, ARAFA HOUSE, N.L.RA-51-A, NEERALI LANE, ULLOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.**
- **SAJI PARAKKAL,**
- **8. S/O P.M. ANTONY, PARAKKAL HOUSE, PATTIKKAD P.O, THRISSUR.**
- **JAMES MATHEW,**
- **9. S/O MATHEW, SNEHASANDRAM, KANNORA P.O, PEECHI, THRISSUR.**
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
**2**
## **RENNY VARGHESE,**
**10. S/O VARGHEES, CHETTIYAMKUDIYIL HOUSE, PEEDIKAPARAMBIL NAGAR, VADAKKUMCHERRY, PALAKKAD DISTRICT.**
## **ABHILASH THOMAS,**
**11. S/O THOMAS, KANAKKANAD HOUSE, MULAMKAVU P.O, SULTHANBATHERY, WAYANAD DISTRICT.**
**NABEEL MOHAMMED,**
**12. S/O P.A. MOHAMMED IBRAHIM, ORCHID MEDOWN, D15, KUSUMAGIRI P.O, KAKKANAD, ERNAKULAM.**
**MUBEEL MOHAMMED,**
**13. S/O P.A. MOHAMMED IBRAHIM, ORCHID MEDOWS, D15, KUSUMAGIRI P.O, KAKKANAD, ERNAKULAM.**
- **C.V. SUNIL KUMAR,**
- **14. S/O VELAYUDHEN, CHERAYATH HOUSE, CHETTUPUZHA P.O, THRISSUR.**
- **STEEPHEN T.V,**
- **15. S/O VAREETH, THALAKKOTTOOR HOUSE, KECHERY P.O, THRISSUR.**
- **K.B. SUNILBABU,**
- **16. S/O BHASKARAN, KUNNEL HOUSE, KUMBALANGI SOUTH P.O, ERNAKULAM.**
**P. SUNILKUMAR,**
**17. S/O APPU NAIR @ NANU NAIR, POTTUNAD HOUSE, AYYAPPANKAVU, MULAYAM, THRISSUR.**
- **SREEJITH NAIR @ SREEJITH P.K,**
**18. S/O KUNJANANTHAN NAIR, PUTTAN VEEDU, KARANI P.O, WAYANAD.**
- **ARCHITH REMESH @ ARCHITH,**
- **19. S/O REMESH, NELLURAD HOUSE, PANAMARAM P.O, WAYANAD.**
## **SAJEEV KALPETTA @ SAJEEV V.P.,**
**20. S/O VENUGOPAL, VINEETH HOUSE, PINAMKODE ROAD, KALPETTA , WAYANAD.**
- **SREJITH S.R.**
- **21. S/O RAMACHANDRAN, SAKTHEESWARATH HOUSE, KARANI P.O, WAYANAD.**
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
## **3**
## **ARUN THOMAS,**
**22. S/O THOMAS, KAKKANATTU HOUSE, MOOLAMKAVU P.O, WAYANAD.**
## **ANEESH VARGHESE,**
**23. S/O VARGHESE, THEKKEMATTATHIL VEEDU, CHETTAPPALAM P.O, PULPALLY, WAYANAD.**
## **K.J. MATHEW,**
**24. S/O JOSEPH, KUNNUMPURATH HOUSE, CHALICHIRA, ELANJITHANAM P.O, CHANGANACHERRY, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.**
## **REJI A.L,**
**25. S/O LONAPPAN, PUTHENPARAMBIL HOUSE, PUTHENKUNNU P.O, BATHERY, WAYANAD,.**
## **SAJI MADAKKARA @ SAJI THOMAS,**
**26. S/O THOMAS, PANACHUMOOTTIL HOUSE, MADAKKARA, NENMENI, WAYANAD, NOW RESIDING AT MAMMUNNIPADY, EANGAPPUZHA, WAYANAD.**
## **THOMAS CHULLIYODU @ O.S. THOMAS,**
**27. S/O SEBASTIAN, OLIKKAL HOUSE, NENMENI AMSOM, KOLIYADI, WAYANAD.**
## **BENOY KURIAN, 28. S/O KURIAN, PUTHENPARAMBIL HOUSE, NENMENI AMSOM, WAYANAD.**
## **ADV. ELIAS PAUL,**
**29. S/O PAILY MATHEW, KURUMATH HOUSE, SULTHANBATHERY, KOTTAKUNNU, WAYANAD.**
## **RESPONDENT/S:**
**STATE OF KERALA**
**1. REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERLA, ERNAKULAM, KOCHI-682031.**
## **THE DETECTIVE INSPECTOR 2. CBCIS, EOW-III, KOZHIKODE-673001.**
**3. JAYSINGH @ SASI S/O RAMAKRISHNAN, CHARUVIL VEEDU, CHEENAPULLE, VADUVANCHAL**
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
**4**
## **P.O, WAYANAD-673581.**
## **FELIX RAJESH**
**4. S/O JOSEPH ANTONY, RAJESH VILLA, NEAR MOOPPANAD MASJID, MEPPADI P.O, WAYANAD-673577.**
## **SHAJI LAWRENCE**
**5. S/O LAWRENCE, ARAKKAL PARAMBIL VEEDU, MOOPPANAD, MEPPADI P.O, WAYANAD-673577.**
## **SURENDRAN K.K**
**6. S/O KUNJAN PILLAI, KUMBAKAPPILLY HOUSE, AYRAPURAM, ERNAKULAM683541.**
## **ROSLY JOSEPH**
**7. D/O JOSEPH, MADATHILPARAMBIL HOUSE, MOOPPANAD, MEPPADI P.O, WAYANAD-673577.**
## **SONY JACOB**
**8. S/O JACOB, THAZHATHEKUDY VEEDU, MEENANGADY, MYLAMPADY P.O, WAYANAD-673591.**
**JOHN P.V,**
**9. S/O P. VARGHESE, PATTATHIL VEEDU, PUTHOORVAYAL P.O, WAYANAD673577.**
## **SANOJ PANICKER @ SREE GANESH**
**10. S/O BALASUBRAMANIAN, NEAR SAGAR THEATRE, SULTHANBATHERY, WAYANAD-673592.**
## **BALAKRISHNAN**
**11. S/O NARAYANAN, NEELIMALA VEEDU, CHELLAMKODU P.O, WAYANAD673581.**
## **ARUN V**
**12. S/O VENUGOPALAN NAIR, AARSHAM VEEDU, PULLIYARMALA, KALPETTA NORTH P.O, WAYANAD-673122.**
## **BIJU K.,**
**13. S/O KURIAKOSE, KUNNATH MAKKUNI, PUTHENKUNNU P.O, WAYANAD673595.**
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
**5**
## **P.A. RAJU**
**14. S/O AYYAPPAN, PUTHUVAYAL VEEDU, CHENAPULLE, VADUVANCHAL P.O, WAYANAD-673581.**
## **HARIHARAN**
**15. S/O KRISHNAN NAIR, POOVASSERY VEEDU, KAMBALAKOLLY P.O, WAYANAD-673593.**
## **N. VELUKUTTY,**
**16. S/O NARAYANAN, EDAPPATTA VEEDU, CHANDRAGIRI, VADUVANCHAL, WAYANAD-673581.**
## **JILSON,**
**17. S/O JOSEPH, PARAYIL VEEDU, AADIKOLLY, PULPALLY P.O, WAYANAD673579.**
## **OTHER PRESENT:**
**PP M.R.DHANIL**
**THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 17.05.2021, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
## O R D E R
## Dated this the 17th day of May, 2021
Petitioners are the accused in Crime No. 174 of 2011 registered at the Meppadi Police Station for offences punishable under Sections 420, 120(b), r/w 34 of IPC and also under Section 4,5 and 6 of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act 1987, now pending as C.C.No.635 of 2018 on the files of the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court, Kalpetta in Wayanad District. The de facto complainant, at whose instance the crime was registered, and the other injured persons are arrayed as respondents 3 to 17. Annexure-II to Annexure-XVI are the affidavits filed by respondents 3 to 17 respectively, stating that the dispute, which led to registration of the crime, has been settled amicably and they have no subsisting grievance in the matter.
2. Heard the learned Public Prosecutor also, who, on instructions, submits that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents.
3. Having considered the gravity of the offences alleged, nature of the injury caused and having perused the affidavit filed by the respondents 3 to 17, the contents of which are submitted to be true and voluntary, I am satisfied that the dispute is settled and that no public interest is involved
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
**7**
in this matter. Moreover, in view of the settlement, possibility of the criminal proceedings ending in conviction is remote. Annexure XVII and XVII are orders by which this Court quashed other criminal proceedings against the petitioner, based on the settlement arrived with the complainants therein. In that view of the matter and also in view of the legal position set out by the Honourable Supreme Court in Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab [(2008) 4 SCC 582] and Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and another [(2012) 10 SCC 303], there is no impediment in granting the relief sought.
In the result, this Crl.M.C is allowed. The proceedings in C.C No.635 of 2018 on the files of the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court, Kalpetta, Wayanad is quashed.
Sd/V.G ARUN JUDGE
SJ
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
**8**
## **ANNEXURE - EXHIBITS**
**ANNEXURE P1 - CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT NO.7/18 FILED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 1.3.2018 BEFORE THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE'S COURT, KALPETTA IN C.C.NO. 635/18.**
**ANNEXURE P2 - AFFIDAVIT WORN BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT DATED 12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P3 - AFFIDAVIT WORN BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT DATED 31.10.2020.**
**ANNEXURE P4 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT DATED 12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P5 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT DATED 17.11.2020.**
**ANNEXURE P6 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT DATED 15.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P7 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 8TH RESPONDENT DATED 11.04.2017.**
**ANNEXURE P8 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 9TH RESPONDENT DATED 10.04.2017.**
**ANNEXURE P9 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 10TH RESPONDENT DATED 12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P10 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 11TH RESPONDENT DATED 12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P11 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 12TH RESPONDENT DATED 15.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P12 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 13TH RESPONDENT DATED 15.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P13 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 14TH RESPONDENT DATED 12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P14 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 15TH RESPONDENT DATED**
**CRL.MC NO. 1841 OF 2021**
**9**
**12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P15 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 16TH RESPONDENT DATED 16.11.2020.**
**ANNEXURE P16 - AFFIDAVIT SWORN BY THE 17TH RESPONDENT DATED 12.07.2019.**
**ANNEXURE P17 - TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN CRL M.C. NO.7846/2019 DATED 7.2.2020.**
**ANNEXURE P18 - TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 18/09/2020 IN CRL M.C. NO.266/2020.**