HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE RAJA ELANGO CRIMINAL PETITION No.9667 of 2011 ORDER: This criminal petition is filed by the petitioners-accused Nos.1 to 9, under Section 482 Cr.P.C., seeking to quash the proceedings initiated against them in C.C.No.404 of 2007 on the file of the XIII Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Hyderabad, taken on file for the offences punishable under Sections 498-A of IPC and 4 and 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. When the matter is taken up for hearing, it is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners that during pendency of the criminal petition, the matter is settled out of Court amicably between the parties and, in terms of compromise, they entered into a Matrimonial Settlement Deed on 05.10.2011 and, therefore, he prayed to quash the proceedings in the calendar case against the petitioners. The petitioners and the 2nd respondent-defacto complainant are present before this Court. The 2nd respondent stated that on the advice of elders and well-wishers, herself and the petitioners have compromised the matter out of Court and herself and her husband, 1st petitioner, have decided to live together. Therefore, she intends to withdraw the criminal proceedings pending against the petitioners with free will and consent and there is no coercion or undue influence from any other side for the same. The learned Addl. Public Prosecutor submitted that there is no objection to quash the calendar case inasmuch as both the parties settled the matter amicably. In the light of the compromise arrived at between the parties, this Court is of the view that by invoking the inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C., the proceedings against the petitioners in the calendar case can be quashed by compounding the offence. Further, the petitioners and the 2nd respondent are directed to pay a sum of Rs.3,000/- (Rupees Three thousand only) towards costs before the A.P. State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad and, accordingly, they paid the amount before the said Authority vide receipt No.380 dated 11.10.2011. Accordingly, the Criminal Petition is allowed and the proceedings initiated against the petitioners herein in C.C.No.404 of 2007 on the file of the XIII Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Hyderabad, are hereby quashed, and consequently, the petitioners are acquitted of the charges levelled against them. Copy of the Interim Matrimonial Settlement deed dated 05.10.2011 and affidavit of the 2nd respondent filed into Court be made as part of this order. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, filed shall stand closed. __________________ RAJA ELANGO, J 11th October, 2011 cbs HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE RAJA ELANGO CRIMINAL PETITION No.9667 of 2011 (Allowed) 11th October, 2011 cbs