Ajay Kanwar vs State Of Himachal Pradesh And Another

Sandeep Sharma, J

By way of present petition filed under Section 528 of the BNSS, 2023, prayer has been made by the petitioner-accused (for short 'accused') for quashing of FIR No.180 dated 30.10.2025, under Sections 281, 125(a) and 125(b) of BNS and Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, registered at Joginder Nagar, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, along with consequential proceedings pending in the competent Court of law, on the basis of compromise.

Precisely, the facts of the case, as emerge from the record are that FIR sought to be quashed in the instant proceedings, came to be lodged at the behest of respondent No.2-Shri Rajnish Parashar (hereinafter, 'complainant'), who alleged that on 29.10.2025, he along with other persons namely Ajay Kanwar, i.e. petitioner herein, and Sushil Kumar consumed liquor and thereafter, he along with Sushil Kumar left towards his house, but Ajay Kanwar refused to leave the place on account that he is yet to consume more liquor. Complainant alleged that at 08:30-08:45 pm, while he along with his friend Sushil Kumar had reached Machialpur, petitioner namely Ajay Kanwar came from behind, driving his Eco Sports car in high speed. He alleged that petitioner Ajay Kanwar, on account of rash and negligent driving, lost the control of his vehicle, as a result thereof, same fell in the 20 feet deep gorge. Since it came to be alleged in the complaint that accident occurred on account of rash and negligent driving of the petitioner i.e. Ajay Kanwar, FIR sought to be quashed in the instant proceedings came to be lodged against him.

Though after completion of investigation, Police has already presented Challan in the competent Court of law, but before same could be taken to its logical end, parties to the lis have decided to settle the dispute amicably inter se them by way of compromise placed on record and as such, petitioner has approached this Court in the instant proceedings, praying therein to quash and set aside the FIR as well as consequent proceedings pending before the competent Court of law.

In terms of order dated 21.05.2026, respondent-State has filed status report, wherein factum of compromise has been duly acknowledged. Along with aforesaid compromise, copy of statement made on oath by complainant has been also placed on record, wherein he has categorically stated that on account of amicable settlement, he does not wish to prosecute the case further. Respondent-complainant has come present and is being represented by Mr. Sahil Thakur, Advocate. He states on oath that he of his own volition and without there being any external pressure has entered into compromise with the petitioner/accused, whereby they have decided to settle their dispute amicably inter se them. He states that FIR sought to be quashed is a result of misunderstanding, because accident did not occur on account of rash and negligent driving of the petitioner. He states that since petitioner, who has suffered injuries in the accident, has already recovered, coupled with the fact that he did not suffer injuries in the accident, he does not wish to prosecute the case further and shall have no objection in case prayer made in the instant petition for quashing of FIR as well as consequent proceedings is accepted and accused is acquitted of the offences. While admitting contents of the compromise to be correct, he also admits his signatures thereupon. His statement made on oath is taken on record.

Having heard statement made on oath by complainant, Mr. Anish Banshtu, learned Deputy Advocate General, fairly states that no fruitful purpose would be served in case FIR as well as consequent proceedings, sought to be quashed, are allowed to sustain, rather that would unnecessarily widen the rift inter se petitioner and complainant. He further states that otherwise also, chances of conviction of petitioner-accused are very remote and bleak on account of the amicable settlement arrived inter se parties, however, he states that this Court may take note of the fact that at the time of alleged accident, accused was under the influence of liquor.

The question which now needs consideration is whether FIR in question can be ordered to be quashed when Hon'ble Apex Court in Narinder Singh and others versus State of Punjab and another (2014)6 SCC 466 has specifically held that power under S. 482 CrPC is not to be exercised in the cases which involve 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.

At this stage, it would be relevant to take note of the judgment passed by Hon'ble Apex Court in Narinder Singh (supra), whereby the Hon'ble Apex Court has formulated guidelines for accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings. Perusal of judgment referred to above clearly depicts that in para 29.1, Hon'ble Apex Court has returned the findings that power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable and where the parties have settled the matter between themselves, however, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with great caution. In para Nos. 29 to 29.7 of the judgment Hon'ble Apex Court has laid down certain parameters to be followed, while compounding offences.

Careful perusal of para 29.3 of the judgment suggests that such a power is not to be exercised in the cases which involve 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. Apart from this, offences committed under special statute 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. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes may be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.

The Hon'ble Apex Court in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab and anr. (2012) 10 SCC 303 has held that power of the High Court in quashing of the criminal proceedings or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent power is distinct and different from the power of a Criminal Court for compounding offences under Section 320 Cr.PC. Even in the judgment passed in Narinder Singh's case, the Hon'ble Apex Court has held that while exercising inherent power of quashment under Section 482 Cr.PC the Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime and its social impact and it cautioned the Courts not to exercise the power for quashing proceedings in heinous and serious offences of mental depravity, murder, rape, dacoity etc. However subsequently, the Hon'ble Apex Court in Dimpey Gujral and Ors. vs. Union Territory through Administrator, UT, Chandigarh and Ors. (2013) 11 SCC 497 has further reiterated that continuation of criminal proceedings would tantamount to abuse of process of law because the alleged offences are not heinous offences showing extreme depravity nor are they against the society. Hon'ble Apex Court further observed that when offences of a personal nature, burying them would bring about peace and amity between the two sides.

Hon'ble Apex Court in its judgment dated 4th October, 2017, titled as Parbatbhai Aahir @ Parbatbhai Bhimsinhbhai Karmur and others versus State of Gujarat and Another, passed in Criminal Appeal No.1723 of 2017 arising out of SLP(Crl) No.9549 of 2016, reiterated the principles/parameters laid down in Narinder Singh's case supra for accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings.

In the case at hand also, offences alleged to have been committed by petitioner do not involve offences of moral turpitude or any grave/heinous crime, rather same are petty offences, as such, this Court deems it appropriate to quash the FIR as well as consequential proceedings thereto, especially keeping in view the fact that parties have compromised the matter inter se them, in which case, possibility of conviction is remote/bleak and no fruitful purpose would be served in continuing with the criminal proceedings.

Since parties have compromised the matter with each other and respondent No.2, at whose instance FIR sought to be quashed in the instant proceedings came to be lodged, is no more interested in pursuing the criminal prosecution of the petitioner, this Court sees no impediment in accepting the prayer made on behalf of the petitioner for quashing of the FIR along with all consequential proceedings.

Consequently, in view of the aforesaid discussion as well as law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court (supra), FIR No.180 dated 30.10.2025, under Sections 281, 125(a) and 125(b) of BNS and Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, registered at Joginder Nagar, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, along with consequential proceedings is quashed and set aside. Accused is acquitted of the charges framed against him.

Since petitioner-accused, who was driving the vehicle and suffered injuries on account of rash and negligent driving, was under the influence of liquor, he is directed to pay fine to the tune of ₹25,000/- within a period of three weeks, which shall be deposited in the District Treasury, Mandi, failing which he shall render himself liable for penal consequences as well as contempt of Court.

List for compliance on 02.07.2026.

The petition stands disposed of in the aforesaid terms, along with all pending applications.