Shoni C.T. and others v. State of Kerala

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V FRIDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 20TH SRAVANA, 1945 CRL.MC NO. 5537 OF 2023 CRIME NO.359 OF 2022 OF VYTHIRI POLICE STATION`** ## **`- PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NOS.1 TO 8 :`** - **`1 SHONI C.T, AGED 50 YEARS S/O CV THOMAS, CHERIYATHUNDATHIL (H), CHARITY,VYTHIRI POST, KUNNATHIDAVAKA VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** - **`2 ANOOP SHONI, AGED 18 YEARS S/O SHONI CT ,CHERIYATHUNDATHIL (H), CHARITY,VYTHIRI POST, KUNNATHIDAVAKA VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** - **`3 ARUN SHONI, AGED 23 YEARS S/O SHONI C.T, CHERIYATHUNDATHIL (H), CHARITY, VYTHIRI POST, KUNNATHIDAVAKA VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** - **`4 ASHWIN K.J, AGED 25 YEARS S/O JOSEPH, KUZHIKANDATHIL HOUSE, VATTAVAYAL, VYTHIRI POST, KUNNATHIDAVAKA VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** - **`5 ALAN JUDE DEVASSY, AGED 21 YEARS S/O DEVASSY KP, KANNATTUPARAMBIL HOUSE, 12TH BRIDGE, VYTHIRI POST, KUNNATHIDAVAKA VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** - **`6 ASTIL DON DEVASSY, AGED 21 YEARS S/O DEVASSY KP, KANNATTUPARAMBIL HOUSE, 12TH BRIDGE, VYTHIRI POST, KUNNATHIDAVAKA VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** - **`7 RAJESH FRANSIS, AGED 40 YEARS S/O FRANCIS, CHERIYATHUNDATHIL (H), CHUNDALE POST AND VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **2** - **`8 AMITH C GEORGE, AGED 18 YEARS S/O GEORGE, CHERIYATHUNDATHIL (H), CHUNDALE PO, CHUNDALE VILLAGE, WAYANAD, KERALA, PIN - 673576`** ## **`BY ADV ASHIK TOM`** ## **`RESPONDENTS/STATE-DE FACTO COMPLAINANT :-`** - **`1 STATE OF KERALA KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682031`** ``` 2JOBINANTONY S/OANTONY,AGED21YEARS,THAMARAKKOLLIHOUSE, CHUNDAPPADI,PUZHAMUDIPOST,KALPETTAVILLAGE,VYTHIRI TALUK,WAYANAD,PIN-673121 ``` ## **`SMT. NIMA JACOB, PP`** ``` THISCRIMINALMISC.CASEHAVINGCOMEUPFORADMISSIONON 11.08.2023,THECOURTONTHESAMEDAYPASSEDTHEFOLLOWING: ``` **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **3** ## **ORDER** This petition is filed invoking the powers of this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (“the Code” for the sake of brevity). 2. The petitioners herein are the accused Nos.1 to 8 in C.C.No.336 of 2023 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Kalpetta. In the aforesaid case they are facing prosecution for having committed offences punishable under Sections 143, 147, 341, 323, 324 r/w Section 149 of the IPC. 3. The prosecution allegation, as borne out from the records, are as under: On 10.09.2022 at about 03.00 pm, the petitioners formed themselves into an unlawful assembly and in prosecution of their common object, wrongfully restrained the informant and thereafter attacked him causing injuries. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the parties have settled their dispute and do not wish to pursue the prosecution proceedings. He relies on the affidavit filed by the second respondent in **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **4** support of his contentions. Counsel argues that if the proceedings are terminated, with the recording of the amicable settlement, the parties can move forward in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect. 5. The learned Public Prosecutor, on instructions, has expressed reservations about quashing the proceedings solely on the basis of the settlement. He argues that the facts and circumstances may not warrant the exercise of the court's inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. However, it is fairly submitted that there have been no other crimes of serious nature registered against the petitioners to date. It is further submitted that the statement of the party respondent has been recorded, and they have unequivocally stated that they do not have any lasting grievances. 6. I have considered the submissions and have gone through the records. 7. In **State of M.P. v. Laxmi Narayan,[1]** , a three-judge bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court has summarized the law as laid down in **Gian Singh v. State of Punjab[2]** , **Narinder Singh v. State of Punjab[3]** and in subsequent cases. It was laid down as under: > 1 (2019) 5 SCC 688 > 2 (2012) 10 SCC 303 > 3 2014 (6) SCC 466 **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **5** 15. Considering the law on the point and the other decisions of this Court on the point referred to hereinabove, it is observed and held as under: - 15.1. That the power conferred under Section 482 of the Code to quash the criminal proceedings for the non-compoundable offences under Section 320 of the Code can be exercised having overwhelmingly and predominantly the civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes and when the parties have resolved the entire dispute amongst themselves; - 15.2. Such power is not to be exercised in those prosecutions which involved heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society; - 15.3. Similarly, such power is not to be exercised for the offences under the special statutes 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; - 15.4. Offences under Section 307 IPC and the Arms Act, etc. would fall in the category of heinous and serious offences and therefore are to be treated as crime against the society and not against the individual alone, and therefore, the criminal proceedings for the offence under Section 307 IPC and/or the Arms Act, etc. which have a serious impact on the society cannot be quashed in exercise of powers under Section 482 of the Code, on the ground that the parties have resolved their entire dispute amongst themselves. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely because there is a mention of Section 307 IPC in the FIR or the charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **6** 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 framing the charge under Section 307 IPC. For this purpose, it would be open to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether such injury is inflicted on the vital/delicate parts of the body, nature of weapons used, etc. However, such an exercise by the High Court would be permissible only after the evidence is collected after investigation and the charge-sheet is filed/charge is framed and/or during the trial. Such exercise is not permissible when the matter is still under investigation. Therefore, the ultimate conclusion in paras 29.6 and 29.7 of the decision of this Court in Narinder Singh [Narinder Singh v. State of Punjab, (2014) 6 SCC 466 : (2014) 3 SCC (Cri) 54] should be read harmoniously and to be read as a whole and in the circumstances stated hereinabove; 15.5. While exercising the power under Section 482 of the Code to quash the criminal proceedings in respect of non-compoundable offenses, which are private in nature and do not have a serious impact on society, on the ground that there is a settlement/compromise between the victim and the offender, the High Court is required to consider the antecedents of the accused; the conduct of the accused, namely, whether the accused was absconding and why he was absconding, how he had managed with the complainant to enter into a compromise, etc. 8. Having carefully analyzed the prayer sought in the light of the principles laid down above and also the nature of the allegations, the **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **7** gravity of the offense, the severity of injuries inflicted, antecedents of the accused, and the amicable relationship that now exists between the parties, I am of the considered opinion that quashing the proceedings on the basis of the settlement will not have any adverse impact on society. In fact, it would only serve to bring about peace and secure the ends of justice. Additionally, persisting with the prosecution would be a waste of time, as the prospects of conviction are bleak. In light of all of the relevant circumstances, I am of the considered view that this Court would be well justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Section 482 of the Code to quash the proceedings. This petition is allowed. Annexure-A2 Final Report in Crime No.359 of 2022 of the Vythiri Police Station and all further proceedings against the petitioners pending as C.C.No.336 of 2023 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Kalpetta, are quashed. Sd/- ## **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V., JUDGE** SMA **Crl.M.C.No.5537 of 2023** **8** ## **`APPENDIX OF CRL.MC 5537/2023`** ## **`PETITIONER ANNEXURES :-`** ``` AnnexureA1THECERTIFIEDCOPYOFFIRINCRIMENO359/2022 DATED14.09.2022OFVYTHIRIPOLICESTATIONIN WAYANADDISTRICT AnnexureA2THECERTIFIEDCOPYOFFINALREPORTINCRIMENO. 359/2022DATED28.10.2022OFVYTHIRIPOLICE STATIONINWAYANADDISTRICT AnnexureA3THEORIGINALAFFIDAVITDATED01.07.2023SWORN TOBYTHE2NDRESPONDENT ```