[2008] 14 S.C.R. 539

-- I

MANOJ SHARMA A

\/.

STATE & ORS. (Criminal Appeal No. 1619 of 2008)

OCTOBER 16, 2008

[ALTAMAS KABIR AND MARKANDEY KAT JU, JJ.]

--+, Constitution of India, 1950; Article 226:

Quashing of criminal proceeding!Fl.R. by High Court - In exercise of power/discretion under s.482 Cr.P CJ Article 226 c of the Constitution, when parties entering into settlement! compromise - Held: Exercise of such power by the High Court in no way limited by provisions uls.320 Cr.PC. - Power under s.482 Cr.PC./ Article 226 of the Constitution is discretionary in nature and to be exercised on facts of each case - On facts, D continuing with the criminal proceedings would be an exer- . '( cise in futility, hence, quashed - Code of Criminal Procedure, ,

1973 - Ss. 320 and 482.

Doctrines: E Doctrine of 'Judicial restraint' and 'Judicial activism' - Applicability of.

The question which arose for determination before this Court was as to whether a First Information Report F lodged against accused for committing the offences un- ,..___..._ der Ss. 471, 467, 420, 120-8 and s.34 IPC could be quashed either under s.482 Cr.P.C. or under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, whn the accused and the complainant have compromised and settled the matter between themselves.

Respondent-State submitted that having regard to

4 the specific provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding compounding of offences, and indicating what

539 H

A offences may be compromised either with or without the )------- leave of the Court, possibly the decision rendered in B. S.

I Joshi's case required a second look. - Allowing the appeal, the Court

B HELD (Per Altamas Kabir, J.):

1.1 The ultimate exercise of discretion under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or under Article 226 of the Constitution is with

.J.- - the Court which has to exercise such jurisdiction in the facts of each case. It has been explained in B. S. Joshi's r c case that the said power is in no way limited by the provisions of Section 320 CrPC. This Court is unable to disagree with such statement of law. (Para - 6) [547-A & B]

8. S. Joshi and others vs. State of Haryana 2003(4) SCC

D 675 JT 2003(3) SC 277 =AIR 2003 SC 1386 - relied on.

1.2 In view of the nature of the offences set out in the complaint, the High Court did not consider it an appropri- J ' 7 ate case for exercising its jurisdiction under Article 226 of

),.-

the Constitution for quashing the same. The High Court's E refusal to exercise its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution for quashing the criminal proceedings cannot be supported. The First Information Report, which had been lodged by the complainant indicates a dispute between the complainant and the accused is of a private F nature. It is no doubt true that the First Information Report was the basis of the investigation by the Police au- thorities, but the dispute between the parties remained ' one of a personal nature. Once the complainant decided

...

not to pursue the matter further, the High Court could have

G taken a more pragmatic view of the matter. The matter could have been considered by the High Court with greater pragmatism in the facts of the case. (Paras -- 7 &

8) [547- C-G] I. + ~

1. In the facts of this case, continuing with the criminal H proceedings would be an exercise in futility. Hence, the or-

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 541

--) der of the High Court is set aside and the criminal proceed- A ings pending before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate is quashed. (Paras - 9 & 10) [547-G-H; 548-A]

Per Markandey Katju, J. (Concurring):

1.1 A perusal o.f Section 320 Cr.P.C. shows that of- B fences under Section 46.8, 471, 34 and 120-B IPC, as men- tioned in the FIR in question, cannot even be compounded with the permission of the Court. In fact, Section 320(9) Cr.P.C. expressly states that no offence shall be compounded except as provided by this Section. The c offences mentioned in the FIR were not compoundable except in relation to the allegations about Section 420 IPC.

There are other provisions in the IPC which apparently cannot be compounded even with the permission ot the Court in view of Section 320 (9) Cr.P.C. However, this was D creating a lot of difficulty and hardship to the public and

hence a way out was found by this Court in B. S. Joshi and Others vs. State of Haryana. (Paras -10, 11 & 12) [550-F, G, H;

551-A&B]

B. S. Joshi and others vs. State of Haryana 2003(4) SCC E 675 JT 2003(3) SC 277 =AIR 2003 SC 1386 - referred to.

1.2. This Court relying on its own decision in the case of State of Karanataka vs. L. Muniswamy 1977 (2) SCC 699 observed that the High Court under Section 482 Cr.P; C.

} can quash the criminal proceedings if it comes to the con- F .. -!< clusion that the ends of justice so requires e.g. where there would almost be no chance of conviction. (Para --

13) [551-D&E]

B. S. Joshi and others vs. State of Haryana 2003 (4) SCC 675 = JT 2003(3) SC 277 = AIR 2003 SC 1386; State of G Karanataka vs. L. Muniswamy 1977 (2) SCC 699; Madhavrao 4 Jiwajirao Scindia vs. Sambhajirao Chandrojirao Angre 1988 1 SCC 692; G V. Rao vs. L.H. V Prasad (2000) 3 SCC 693 and Nikhil Merchant vs. Central Bureau of Investigation &Anr.

JT 2008 (9) SC 192 - relied on.

A 1.3 Since Section 320 Cr.P.C. has clearly stated which )-- offences are compoundable and which are not, the High Court or even this Court would not ordinarily be justified . '

in doing something indirectly which could not be done directly. Even otherwise, it ordinarily would not be a le- B gitimate exercise of judicial power under Article 226 of the Constitution or under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to direct doing something which the Cr.P.C. has expressly prohibited. ~

(Para - 17) [552-E & F]

I 1.4 Section 320 Cr.P.C. cannot be read in isolation. It i"- c has to be read along with the other provisions in the Cr.P.C. 1" including Section 482 Cr.P.C. The words "Nothing in this f Code" used in Section 482 is a non obstante clause, and gives it overriding effect over other provisions in the t- Cr.P.C. The words "or otherwise to secure the ends of jus- D tice" in Section 482 implies that to secure the interest of justice sometimes (though only in very rare cases) the y High Court can pass an order in violation of a provision in the Cr.P.C. (Paras - 18 & 19) [552-G; 553-B&C]

E 1.5 It is well settled that judgments of a Court cannot be read mechanically and like a Euclid's theorem. In rare and exceptional cases a departure can be made from the principle so laid down by the Court in various decisions regarding exercise of power under s.482 Cr.P.C. (Para -

21) [553-E&F] F 1, Mosst. Simrikhia vs. Dolley Mukherjee AIR 1990 SC ' 1605 {paras 2 & 4); R.P Kapur vs. State of Punjab AIR 1960 SC 866 (para 6); Sooraj Devi vs. Pyare Lal & another AIR 1981 SC 736 (para 5); Dr. Rajbir Singh Dalal vs. Chaudhari

G Devi Lal University 2008(8) JT 621; Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. & another vs. N.R. Vairamani and another AIR 2004 SC 4778 and Nikhil Merchant vs. Central Bureau of In- -tvestigation & Anr. JT 2008 (9) SC 192 - relied on.

1.6 Even in the judgment of this Court in the case of i H Divisional Manager Araval/i Golf Club, where emphasis has

~ .

---i

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 543

been laid on judicial restraint it has been mentioned that A sometimes judicial activism can be resorted to by the Court where the situation forcefully requires it in the interest of the country or society. (Para - 21) [553-G&H]

Divisional Manager, Aravali Golf Club & another vs.

Chander Hass & Anr. JT 2008(3) SC 221 and Government of 8

Andhra Pradesh & Ors. vs. Smt. P Laxmi Deviji (2008) 2 SC 639 - relied on.

Brown vs. Board of Education 341 U.S. 483; Miranda vs.

Arizona 384 U.S. 436; Roe vs. Wade 410 U.S. 113 - referred c to.

2.1 There can be no doubt that a case under Section 302 IPC or other serious offences like those under Sections 395, 307 or 3048 cannot be compounded and hence proceedings in those provisions cannot be quashed by D the High Court in exercise of its power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or in writ jurisdiction on the basis of compromise.

However, in some other cases, (like those akin to a civil nature) the proceedings can be quashed by the High Court if the parties have come to an amicable settlement E even though the provisions are not compoundable. (Para

- 23) [554-D&E]

2.2 While in the present case, the criminal proceed.; ings deserve to be quashed, the question may have to be decided in some subsequent decision or decisions (pref- F erably by a larger Bench) as to which non-compoundable cases can be quashed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or Article 226 of the Constitution on the basis that the parties have entered into a compromise. (Para - 22) [554-B&C]

2.3 The decision in the case of B. S. Joshi should not G be understood to have meant that Judges can quash any kind of criminal case merely because there has been a compromise between the parties. After all, a crime is an offence against society, and not merely against a private H

A individual. (Para - 24) [554-H; 555-:Al

•\. . .

r~.

B. S. Joshi & Ors. vs. State of Haryana_ (2003) 4 S.CC 67'.$_.:

- referred to.

CASE LAW REFER~NCE .

B 2003(4) sec 675 = . . Referredto Para -12 ..

JT 2003(3) SC 277 = . : ·.)t-_ ...

AIR 2003 SC 1386

; ' ..

2003 (4). sec 675 = .

Relied on . . Para,; 12 . c

JT 2003(3) SC 277 = " ...

AIR 2003 SC 1386

1977 (2) sec 699 Relied on Pra -13

D 1988 1 sec 692 Relied on Para .. 13 . .

(2000) 3 sec 693.

Relied on Para - 13

JT 2008 (9) SC 192 Relied on Para -14 y: ., ..

AfR 1990 SC"1605 Rel.ied on Para - 20

AIR 1960 SC 866 Relied on Para"' 20

AIR 1981 SC 736 Relied on Para - 20

2008(8) JT 621 Relied on Para - 21

AIR 2004 SC 4778 Relied on Para - 21

JT 2008 (9) SC 192 Relied on Para -14 \_ ..

JT 2008(3) SC 221 Relied on Para - 16

347 U.S. 483 Referred to Para - 21

.384 U.S. 436 Referred to Para - 21 G

410 U.S. 113 Referred to Para - 21

JT 2008 (2) SC 639 Relied on Para - 16

~ CRIMINALAPPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal No. 1619 of 2008 H

--l \.

-----+.,

,.,

_ __;

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 545

From the final Judgment and Order dated 17.8.2007 of A the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi in W.P. (Crl.) No. 1075 of 2007

H.K. Chaturvedi for the Ap.pellant.

. B.B. Singh, Savitri Pandey and D; S. Mahra for the Re- B spondent.

The Judgment of theCourtwas delivered by

.· ALTAMAS KABIR, J. 1. Leave granted.

2. The question whether a First Information Report under c

 Sections 420/468/471/34/120-B IPC can be quashed either under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure or under . Article 226 ofthe Constitution, when the accused and the complalnant have compromised and settled the matter between themselves, is the question which arises for decision. in this D appeal.

3. The identical question fell for the consideration of this Court in the case of B.S. Joshi vs. State of Haryana,[2003 (4) sec 675] wherein also the question arose as towhether crimi- E nal proceedings or a First Information Report cir complaint filed under Seetion 498-A and 406 I PC by the wife could be quashed under Section 482 CrPC on account of the fact that the offences .. complained of were not compoundable under Section 320 of the Code. The objection taken in the said case has also been raised by Mr. B.B. Singh, learned advocate for the respondent F

State.

4. In B.S. Joshi's case, this Court drew a distinction between compounding an offence as permitted under Section 320 CrPC and quashing of the complaint or c_riminal proceedings G under Section 482 CrPC as also Article 226 of the Constitu-

~ tion. Pointing out that the appellant in the said case had not prayed for compounding the offence as the same was not compoundable, this Court observed with reference to the earlier decision in Pepsi Food Limited vs. Special Judicial Magistrate, H

A [1998 (5) SCC 749], that where the Court will exercise jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code could not be inflexible or rigid formulae to be followed by the Courts could not be laid down. Exercise of such power would depend upon the facts and circumstances of each case but with the sole object of pre- B venting abuse of the process of any Court, or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. It was also observed that it is well settled that these powers have no bar, but the same was required to be exercised with utmost care and caution. Accordingly, the learned Judges held that the power of the High Court under Section c 482 of the Code to quash Criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint were not circumscribed by Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

5. While the appellant herein strongly relied on the decision in B.S. Joshi's case. Mr. B.B. Singh, learned counsel ap- D pea ring for , the respondent-State urged that having regard to the specific provision in the Code regarding compounding of offences, and indicating what offences may be compromised either with or without the leave of the Court, possibly the decision rendered in B.S. Joshi's case required a second look.

E Relying on the decision of this Court in Inspector of Police, CBI

vs. Rajagopal, [2002 (9) SCC 533], K.G. Prem Shankar vs. Inspector of Police and Anr. [JT 2002 (7) SC 30] and also Textile Labour Association and Anr. Vs. Official Liquidator and Anr. [JT 2004 (suppl.1) SC 1 ], Mr. Singh submitted that in S.S. Josh i's F case there was a departure from the view taken in the first of the two aforesaid cases.

6. We have carefully considered the submissions made on behalf of the respective parties and the facts involved in this case, and we are not inclined to accept Mr. Singh's contention G that the decision in B.S. Joshi's case requires reconsideration, at least not in the facts of this case. What was decided in B.S.

Joshi's case was the power and authority of the High Court to exercise jurisdiction under Section 482 CrPC or under Article 226 of the Constitution to quash offences which are not com- H poundable. The law stated in the said case simply indicates the

}--

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 547

[ALTAMAS KABIR, J.]

--~ powers of the High Court to quash any criminal proceeding or A First Information Report or complaint whether it be compoundable or not. The ultimate exercise of discretion under Section 482 CrPC or under Article 226 of the Constitution is with the Court which has to exercise such jurisdiction in the facts of each case. It has been explained that the said power is in no way B limited by the provisions of Section 320 CrPC. We are unable - -1 to disagree with such statement of law. In any event, in this case, we are only required to consider whether the High Court had exercised its jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. legally and

oo~~Y C

7. In view of the nature of the offences set out in the complaint, the High Court did not consider it an appropriate case for exercising its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution for quashing the same.

8. In our view, the High Court's refusal to exercise its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution for quashing the criminal proceedings cannot be supported. The First Information Report, which had been lodged by the complainant indicates a dispute between the complainant and the accused which is of a private nature. It is no doubt true that the First Information Report E was the basis of the investigation by the Police authorities, but the dispute between the parties remained one of a personal nature. Once the complainant decided not to pursue the matter further, the High Court could have taken a more pragmatic view of the matter. We do not suggest that while exercising its powers F under Article 226 of the Constitution the High Court could not have refused to quash the First Information Report, but what we do say is that the matter could have been considered by the High Court with greater pragmatism in the facts of the case. As we have indicated herein before, the exercise of power under Section 482 G Cr.P.C. or Article 226 of the Constitution is discretionary to be exercised in the facts of each case.

9. In the facts of this case we are of the view that continuing with the criminal proceedings would be an exercise in futility.

10. We, accordingly, allow the appeal and set aside the ~-

! order of the High Court and quash the criminal proceedings pending before the learned Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Karkardooma Court, Delhi, in FIR No.50 of 1997 dated 31st January, 1997 P.S. Vivek Vihar (East Delhi).

B MARKANDEY KAT JU, J. 1. I have read the judgment of my learned brother Hon. Kabir, J. and I respectfully agree with . his conclusion that the appeal should be allowed and the judg .. ment of the High Court as weil as the criminal proceedings pend- c ing before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Karkardooma Court, Delhi in FIR No. 50 of 1997 dated. 31s1

January, 1997 P.O. Vivek Vihar (East Delhi) against the appellant should be quashed.

2. However, I wish to give a separate concurring judgment

D in view of the importance of the issue involved in this case.

3. The question involved in this case is whether an FIR under Section 420/468/471/34/120-8 IPC can be quashed uny

der Section 482 Cr.P.C. or Article 226 of the Constitution when the accused and the complainant have compromised and settled ..

E thematter between themselves.· ··

I ~-,, i:;;·· '

!Ci .4'.The allegations in the FIR are as follows:

. i 1 .

"Statement of Sanjay Pal S/o Mahendra singh Pal Rio . , : <.House No. A-25, Jhilmil Colony, Vivek Vihar, Delhi, stated

F ~~~:Jhat I reside at the above mentioned address with my \ :~::\, fmily. I got financed a Maruti Van bearing No. DL-1 CB-

,.__ __

.,:· .. 4065 from Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma - Vijay Lakshmi

...:, ,. Finance & Investment Company before two years back ·~ for a consideration amount of Rs. 30,000/- and I paid Rs.

G 3954/- as first installment. After that Shri Man Mohan • Sharma R/o D-131, Jhilmil Colony, came and told me that ( your finance is fabricated one, that is why your vehide has +- not been financed by me from Real Auto Deals which is ' ..

run by my brother-in-law. I have received the payment given

H by you and your file. He asked me to give return the first

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 549

[MARKANDEY KAT JU, J.]

----~ RC. He gave me the new RC .. I returned him the old RC. A He suggested me that now the financer of your vehicle is Real Auto Deals. I was shocked that how the vehicle got transferred without signing any form and paper. Man Mohan Sharma used to receive the installments in cash every month from me. The receipts issued to me put up B with neither rubber stamp nor used, the letter head of Real --1 Auto Deals. The cheques received from me, encashed him in different-different names instead depositing in the -

. account of Real Auto Deals. When it has come to my notice that he is playing fraud with me, then visited the bank and got stopped the payment of the cheques. He c

came to me when the cheque was dishonoured and asked me why you stop the payment. I explained him that I have already sent you a notice. stating that I will make the payments of the installments in the name of f3_eal Auto D Deals but you are not doing so, therefore, I got stopped ..., the payments. Thereafter, on 27.12.1995 at about 10 O'clock he came to me in Jhilmil along with an unknown person, I can recognize him if he comes to me, took my said Maruti Van with his help without my consent by E showing me a paper duly stamped by the police. Vijay Lakshmi Finance; Real Auto Deals and Man Mohan Sharma, have sold my. vehicle to some other place by making my forged signatures and by playing fraud with me, . in connivanc; e of each other._The appropriate legal.action

~___.,.{ may kindly be taken against all these persons. Statement F

'\ heard which is correct. Sd/- English. Sanjay Pal 31.1.97 Attested Sd/- Snglish Satya Narayan ASI 31.1.97" .

...

5. A perusal of the FIR shows that the allegations against the appellant were that he forged documents in respect of a G vehicle and thereafter indulged in cheating and deposited the

::\ cheques received from the complainant against financing of the vehicle in different accounts. It is also alleged in the FIR that the appellant sold the vehicle of the complainant to some other party by making forged signature and by playing fraud with him.

6. On the basis of the above FIR charges were framed ~---

against the appellant and co-accused Man Mohan Sharma.

7. The appellant filed a writ petition before the High Court for quashing the FIR on the ground that the matter had been

B compromised between the complainant and the accused. In that writ petition an affidavit was filed by the complainant stating that in view of the settlement between the parties he is withdrawing 'r-- the allegations against both the writ petitioners and he is also withdrawing the FIR. As per the amicable settlement a sum of Rs. 45,000/- would be paid to the appellant Manoj Sharma and ,, c a further sum of Rs. 45,000/- would be paid to the co-accused Man Mohan Sharma.

8. However, the Delhi High Court by the impugned judgment dated 17.8.2007 rejected the writ petition and hence this appeal.

9. It may be mentioned that under Section 320(1) Cr.P.C. certain offences in the IPC can be compounded by the persons y ' mentioned in the 3rd column of the table in that provision. Also, r in view of Section 320(2) certain other offences can be compounded with the permission of the Court. However, Section E 320 (9) specifically states:

"No offence shall be compounded except as provided by this Section".

10. A perusal of Section 320 shows that offences under

F Section 468, 471, 34 and 120-B IPC (with are mentioned in the

}-.._~ FIR in question) cannot even be compounded with the permission of the Court. In fact, Section 320(9) Cr.P.C. expressly states that no offence shall be compounded except as provided by this Section. It apparently follows, therefore, that except for Sec-

G tion 420 IPC, which can be compounded with the permission of the Court in view of Section 320(2), the other provisions mentioned in the FIR in question could hot be compounded even Iwith the permission of the Court. It, prima facie, seems to follow that the offences mentioned in the FIR were not compoundable

H except in relation to the allegations about Section 420 IPC.

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 551

[MARKANDEY KAT JU, J.]

r ------..

11. There are other provisions in the IPC e.g. Section 498A A which apparently cannot be compounded even with the perm ission of the Court in view of Section 320 (9) Cr.P.C.

12. However, this was creating a lot of difficulty and hardship to the public and hence a way out was found by this Court B in B.S. Joshi and others vs. State of Haryana 2003.(4) SCC --i 675 [= JT 2003(3) SC 277 =AIR 2003 SC 1386]. In that decision this Court referred to its own earlier decision in Madhu Limaye vs. State of Maharashtra 1977 (4) SCC 551 in which it was held (vide para 8) that the power under Section 482 should

not be exercised when there is an express bar in some other c

~ provision of the Code. The Court in B.S. Joshi's case (supra) also referred to the decision in Surendra Nath Mohanty vs.

State of Orissa AIR 1999 SC 2181 which held that since the offence under Section 326 IPC is not compoundable the High Court cannot compound the offence.

'"'(

13. Despite the above decisions this Court in B.S. Joshi's case (supra) relying on its own decision in State of Karanataka vs. L. Muniswamy 1977 (2) SCC 699 observed that the High Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. can quash the criminal proceed- E ings if it comes to the conclusion that the ends of justice so requires e.g. where there would almost be no chance of conviction.

In a case under Section 498A IPC if the parties enter into a compromise the chances of an ultimate conviction are bleak, and hence no useful purpose would be served by allowing the crimi-

~ . .,,.J nal proceedings to continue. They should, therefore, be quashed F

by exercising power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. The Court also relied on the decisions in Madhavrao Jiwajirao Scindia vs.

Sambhajirao Chandrojirao Angre 1988 1 SCC 692, G V Rao vs. L. H. V Prasad (2000) 3 SCC 693 for taking the same view.

14. In B.S. Joshi's case (supra) this Court devised a ere- G

~ ative solution to the problem and quashed the proceedings in exercise of its power under Section 482 Cr.P.C .. The said decision was followed by this Court in Nikhil Merchant vs. Central Bureau of Investigation & another JT 2008 (9) SC 192.

15. Shri B.B. Singh, learned counsel for the respondent submitted that the High Court or even this Court would not be justified in giving directions to quash a. criminal proceeding in view of the compromise between th'e.parties when the offence

has been expressly made non-compoundable by Section 320 B Cr.P.C. He urged that the Court cannot ignore. any substantive

, statutory provision dealing with the subject and cannot.issue ~

writ or a direction in violation of the statute. · · · ·

. 16. Ordinarily we would have agreed with Mr. B.B. Singh: .. The doctrine of judicial restraint whrch has qeen emphasized C repeatedly by this Court e.g. in Divisiona/Manager, Ar; avalFGolf .

Club & another vs. Chander Hass & another JT 20:08(3) sc. 221, Government of Andhra Pradesh & othf!r$ vs. Smt.'P.

Lax mi Devi JT 2008 (2) SC 639 restricts the.power of the -Go.urt and does not permit the Court to ordinarilyencroach into ttie D legislative or executive domain. As observed by this (; curt in the above decisions, there is a broad $eparation .of powers in the Constitution and it would not be proper for .. one organ of the State to encroach into the. domain 'of anqther organ. . . . ; 1i Since Section 320 Cr.P.C. has clearly stated which E offences.are compoundable arid which are not;'theHigh Court or even this Court would not ordinarily-be justified ill doing some., thing indirectly which could not b'e done qfreetiy. Even other-· .· wise, itordinarily would .not be a legitJmateexer9ise of Jt.i, didal power underArtlcle 226 of the Constitution or under section F 482 Cr:P.C: to direct doing someHhing which the Cr.P.C. has expressly prohibited. Section 320(9) Cr.P.c. expressly states that no offence shall be compounded except as provided by . that Sectio.n. Hence, in my opinion, it would ordinarily not be a legitimate exercise of judicial power to direct compounding bf G a non-compoundable offence. ·

18. However, it has to be pointed out that Section 320 Cr.PC. cannot be read in isolation. It has to be read along with the other provisions in the Cr.P.C. One such other provision is Section 482 Cr.P.C. which reads:

'}--.:.-

.. I

. t

\ ...

~:"-

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 553

[MARKANDEY KAT JU, J.] ....--, ;,_Sving of inherent power of High Court. :... Nothing in this A Code shall be deemed to limit or affect the.inherent powers o.f the J-ligh C_oqrt to make such ordrs as may be necessar-Y t~ give effect .to any order under this Code, or to prevent abuse of the process of any Court or otherwise to secure the ends ofjustice.''.

B : ..

- . 19. The words."Nothing in this Code" used in Section 482 is a non obstant$ clause, and gives it overriding effect over other provisions in the Cr.P.C. The words "or otherwise to secure the ends of justice'' in Section 482 implies that to secure the interest of justice sometimes (though-only.in very rare cases) c

the High Court can: pass an order in violation of a provision in the Cr.P.C~

.. 20. It is true that in certain decisions of this Court it has been observed that the power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. can- D not be exercised to do something which is expressly barred

"---( under the Code vide Mosst. Simrikhia vs. Dolley Mukherjee AIR 1990 SC 1605 (vide paras 2 & 4), R.P Kapur vs. State of Punjab AIR 1960 SC 866 (vide para 6), Sooraj Devi vs. Pyare Lal & another AIR 1981 SC 736 (vide para 5) etc.

21. However, in my opinion these judgments cannot be read as a Euclid's formula since it is well settled that judgments of a Court cannot be read mechanically and like a Euclid's theorem vide Or. Rajbir Singh Dalal vs. Chaudhari Devi Lal Universify 2008(8) JT 621 , Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. & F -~ another vs. N.R. Vairamani and another AIR 2004 SC 4778. In rare and exceptional cases a departure can be made from the principle laid down in the decisions referred to in para 20, as observed in B.S. Joshi's case (supra), which has also been followed in other decisions e.g. Nikhil Merchant's case (supra).

G Even in the judgment of this Court in Divisional Manager Aravalli

~ Golf Club (supra) where emphasis has been laid on judicial restraint it has been mentioned that sometimes judicial activism can be resorted to by the Court where the situation forcefully requires it in the interest of the country or society (vide para H

A 39 of the said judgment). Judicial activism was rightly resorted ~- to by the U.S. Supreme Court in Brown vs. Board of Education 347 U.S. 483, Miranda vs. Arizona 384 U.S. 436, Roe vs. Wade 410 U.S. 113, etc. and by Lord Denning in England in several of his decisions.

22. While in the present case I respectfully agree with 'my learned brother Hon'ble Kabir J. that the criminal proceedings

~-- deserve to be quashed, the question may have to be decided in some subsequent decision or decisions (preferably by a larger Bench) as to which non-compoundable cases can be '' c quashed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or Article 226 of the onstitution on the basis that the parties have entered into a .compromise.

23. There can be no doubt that a case under Section 302

D IPC or other serious offences like those under Sections 395,

307 or 3048 cannot be compounded and hence proceedings in those provisions cannot be quashed by the High Court in ex- 'r ercise of its power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. or in writjurisdiction on the basis of compromise. However, in some other cases,

(like those akin to a civil nature) the proceedings can be quashed r-- by the High Court if the parties have come to an amicable settle-

•4c= " ment even though the provisions are not compoundable. Where .. a line is to be drawn will have to be decided in some later decisions of this Court, preferably by a larger bench (so as to make it more authoritative). Some guidelines will have to be evolved F in this connection and the matter cannot be left at the sole unguided discretion of Judges, otherwise there may be conflictking decisions and judicial anarchy. A judicial discretion has to be exercised on some objective guic:ling principles and criteria, and not on the whims and fancies of individual Judges. Discre- G tion, after all, cannot be the Chancellor's foot.

24. I am expressing this opinion because Shri B.B. Singh,

\c" learned counsel for the respondent has rightly expressed his concern that the decision in B.S. Joshi's case (supra) should • >

H not be understood to have meant that Judges can quash any

• t

MANOJ SHARMA v. STATE & ORS. 555

[MARKANDEY KAT JU, J.]

kind of criminal case merely because there has been a com- A promise between the parties. After all, a crime is an offence against society, and not merely against a private individual.

25. With these observations, I respectfully agree with my learned brother Hon'ble Kabir J. that this appeal is to be allowed and the criminal proceedings in question are to be 8

quashed. Appeal allowed. No costs.

S.K.S.

Appeal allowed .