A. Muthu, Valarmathi, Eathal Perumal and Annammal vs The State and M. Santhi

K. Mohan Ram, J.—The above criminal original petition has been filed to quash the First Information Report in Crime No. 3 of 2005 on the

file of the respondent.

During the pendency of the above petition, as seen from the affidavit filed by the second respondent, who is the defacto complainant that the

defacto complainant and the first petitioner in the criminal original petition, who is the husband of the defacto complainant had arrived at an

amicable settlement before the Legal Services Authority, Chennai on 8.6.2006. Pursuant to the said settlement arrived at, they have filed

H.M.O.P. No. 154 of 2006 before the Principal Sub Judge, Chengalpet and a decree for divorce has been granted on 11.12.2006. In the

affidavit, the defacto complainant has stated that she would not pursue the criminal case in future.

Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the first respondent and the learned Counsel for the

second respondent.

Learned Counsel for the petitioner by relying upon a decision in B.S. Joshi and Others Vs. State of Haryana and Another, and in Ruchi Agarwal

Vs. Amit Kumar Agrawal and Others, , submitted that in the matrimonial matter, if the husband and wife amicably settled the dispute, this Court

can invoke the power u/s 482 of Cr.P.C. so as to enable the parties to live in peace.

Learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the first respondent fairly submits that the First Information Report may be quashed by

relying upon the aforesaid Apex Court decisions.

In the decision reported in B.S. Joshi and Others Vs. State of Haryana and Another, , in paragraphs 12, 14 and 15, the Apex Court has

observed as follows:

The special features in such matrimonial matters are evident. It becomes the duty of the Court to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial

disputes.

...

There is no doubt that the object of introducing Chapter XX-A containing Section 498A in the Indian Penal Code was to prevent the torture

to a woman by her husband or by relatives of her husband. Section 498A was added with a view to punishing a husband and his relatives who

harass or torture the wife to coerce her or her relatives to satisfy unlawful demands of dowry. The hyper-technical view would be counter

productive and would get against interests of women and against the object for which this provision was added. There is every likelihood that non-

exercise of inherent power to quash the proceedings to meet the ends of justice would prevent women from setting earlier. That is not the object of

Chapter XXA of Indian Penal Code.

In view of the above discussion, we hold that the High Court in exercise of its inherent powers can quash criminal proceedings or FIR or

complaint and Section 320 of the Code does not limit or affect the powers u/s 482 of the Code.

In Ruchi Agarwal Vs. Amit Kumar Agrawal and Others, , in paragraphs 7, 8 and 8, the Apex Court has observed as follows:

It is based on the said compromise the appellant obtained a divorce as desired by her u/s 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act and in partial

compliance with the terms of the compromise she withdrew the criminal case filed u/s 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code but for reasons better

known to her she did not withdraw that complaint from which this appeal arises. That apart after the order of the High Court quashing the said

complaint on the ground of territorial jurisdiction, she has chosen to file this appeal. It is in this background, we will have to appreciate the merits of

this appeal.

Therefore, we are of the opinion that the appellant having received the relief she wanted without contest on the basis of the terms of the

compromise, we cannot now accept the argument of the learned Counsel for the appellant. In our opinion, the conduct of the appellant indicates

that the criminal complaint from which this appeal arises was filed by the wife only to harass the respondents.

In view of the abovesaid subsequent events and the conduct of the appellant, it would be an abuse of the process of the Court if the criminal

proceedings from which this appeal arises is allowed to continue. Therefore, we are of the considered opinion to do complete justice, we should

while dismissing this appeal also quash the proceedings arising from criminal case Cr. No. 224 of 2003 registered in Police Station Bilaspur

(District Rampur) filed under Sections 498A, 323 and 506 IPC and under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act against the respondents

herein.

A perusal of the said observations of the Apex Court makes it abundantly clear that if the parties to the matrimonial dispute amicably settle the

dispute, then it becomes the duty of the Court to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes and the High Court in exercise of its

inherent powers can quash the criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint.

In view of the facts stated above and in the light of the Apex Court decisions, the criminal original petition is allowed and the First Information

Report made in Crime No. 03 of 2005 on the file of the respondent, is quashed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.