Jharkhand High Court allows compounding of offences at appellate stage and sets aside judgment of conviction

In a very significant development, we saw how the Jharkhand High Court just recently on February 4, 2022 in a learned, laudable, landmark and latest judgment titled Ganesh Choudhary & Anr. v. The State of Jharkhand in Cr. Appeal (SJ) No.1675 of 2003 (Against the Judgment of Conviction and order of sentence dated 20.11.2003 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, FTC-V, Deoghar in S.T. No.281 of 2001, arising out of Madhupur P.S. Case No.191 of 2000, corresponding to G.R. No.435 of 2000.) and cited from 2022 LiveLaw (Jha) 25 allowed an appeal against conviction under Sections 324 and 326 of IPC for causing grievous hurt by use of dangerous weapons, and set aside the order of Sessions Judge following compromise between the parties. Justice Navneet Kumar who delivered this noteworthy judgment clearly, cogently and convincingly stated that, “In a criminal case where offences are of pure personal nature, not heinous or brutal and not adversely affecting the society at large being a private nature and the parties concerned have willingly and voluntarily settled their differences amicably, it would be in the fitness of things that non-compoundable offences can be allowed to be compounded, of course with righteousness and probity irrespective of the fact that the trial has already been concluded and the post conviction compromise has taken place at the appellate stage.” Very rightly so!

To start with, the single Judge Bench comprising of Justice Navneet Kumar of Jharkhand High Court who authored this learned judgment first and foremost puts forth in para 1 that, “This appeal is preferred against the Judgment of Conviction and order of sentence dated 20.11.2003 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, FTC-V, Deoghar in S.T. No.281 of 2001, arising out of Madhupur P.S. Case No.191 of 2000, corresponding to G.R. No.435 of 2000, whereby and where under the appellant No.1 Ganesh Choudhary is convicted for the offence punishable under Section 324 of IPC and appellant No.2 Akhileshwar Choudhary is convicted for the offence punishable under Section 326 of IPC and further the appellant No.1 was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and appellant No.2 was sentenced for seven years and also a fine of Rs.2,000/- and in case of default of fine, he will have to undergo further imprisonment of six months.”

To put things in perspective, the Bench then envisages in para 2 that, “Briefly stating the prosecution story as unfolded in the written application dated 12.10.2000 by the informant Rohit Chodhary (PW6) addressed to Officer In-charge of Madhupur Police Station, Deoghar, is as under:

The informant Rohit Choudhary stated that on 12.10.2000 at 7.30 A.M., one Laxman Choudhary armed with lathi, Baikunth Chaudhary armed with lathi, Ganesh Choudhary (Appellant no.1) armed with sword, Kamdeo Chaudhary armed with Bhala, Damodar Choudhary armed with lathi, Akhileshwar Chaudhary (Appellant no.2) armed with Sabbal and Sachidanand armed with Lathi arrived on plot No.90 area 34 dismal belonging to Nakul Hazam and with the help of labourers started tilling it. Upon objection from Nakul Hazam, the aforementioned persons assaulted him (Nakul Hazam) with lathi, fist and slap then Nakul Hazam fled away from there and reached in front of his (informant) door, behind whom all the aforesaid persons chasing him also reached there. He (informant) tried to intervene asking as to why they were assaulting the poor, upon which the appellant no. 2 Akhileshwar Chaudhary became angry and abused him and also assaulted him by a heavy iron, Sabbal (rod with sharp end) on his right leg due to which his right leg was fractured and he fell down. Thereafter all the accused persons started assaulting him by lathi. Having seen his brother being assaulted, his own brother P.W.1 Krishundeo Chaudhary tried to save him, but the appellant no.1 Ganesh Chaudhary with an intention to kill him, assaulted him by sword on his left side of the head and blood started oozing out from the wound by which he fell unconscious and others continued to assault him and presuming him to be dead, they fled away.”

As it turned out, the Bench then enunciates in para 3 that, “On the basis of the aforesaid written application submitted by the informant PW – 6, a formal FIR was drawn vide Madhupur P.S. case No.191 of 2000 , District – Deoghar, registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 341, 323, 324, 325 and 307 of IPC and investigation of the case commenced. After completion of the investigation, the charge-sheet was submitted, the case was committed to the Court of Sessions and thereafter the charges were framed against the appellants and after the trial, both the appellants named above were convicted and sentenced by the impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence, which is under challenge.”

As we see, the Bench then notes in para 8 that, “Both the appellants namely Ganesh Choudhary and Akhileshwar Choudhary have been found guilty and convicted for the offences punishable under sections 324 & 326 of the IPC respectively. Now it is found that informant-injured people and the defence side want to bear good relations and maintain peace despite the fact that the offences under which they have been convicted are non-compoundable offences within the meaning of Section 320 of Cr.P.C. The learned counsels appearing on behalf the appellants and the informant victim side jointly submitted that by virtue of filing a joint compromise application vide I.A. (Cr.) No.7698 of 2018 in this appeal they have resolved their dispute as the offences had arisen out of landed properties dispute between them and all the injured victims namely injured-informant P.W.6, his injured brother Krishnadeo Chaudhary P.W.1 and Nakul Hazam P.W.2 and the accused-appellants have compromised the dispute and all of them wanted to compound the appeal as they want to live peacefully.”

Of course, the Bench then stipulates in para 9 that, “In view of the aforesaid facts the question before this court is as to whether this court can compound the offences under sections 326 and 324 of IPC which are non-compoundable. At the outset this court proceeds to comprehend a few rulings of Hon’ble Supreme Court as to whether this court taking into the consideration the amenable and distinctive facts and circumstances of the present case can compound the offences punishable under sections 324 and 326 of the IPC which are non-compoundable within the meaning of section 320 of the Cr.P.C. to prevent the abuse of the process of court and/or to secure the ends of justice.”

Of particular importance is what is then spelled out in para 10 that, “The Hon’ble Supreme Court in Gian Singh vs.State of Punjab (2012)10 SCC 303 laid down following principles:

“58. Where the High Court quashes a criminal proceeding having regard to the fact that the dispute between the offender and the victim has been settled although the offences are not compoundable, it does so as in its opinion, continuation of criminal proceedings will be an exercise in futility and justice in the case demands that the dispute between the parties is put to an end and peace is restored; securing the ends of justice being the ultimate guiding factor.”

59.xxx xxx xxx

60.xxx xxx xxx

“61. …the power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz.:

(i) to secure the ends of justice, or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or FIR may be exercised where the offender and the victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim’s family and the offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, any compromise between the victim and the offender in relation to the offences under special statutes like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity, etc.; cannot provide for any basis for quashing criminal proceedings involving such offences. But the criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominatingly civil flavour stand on a different footing for the purposes of quashing, particularly the offences arising from commercial, financial, mercantile, civil, partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising out of matrimony relating to dowry, etc. or the family disputes where the wrong is basically private or personal in nature and the parties have resolved their entire dispute. In this category of cases, the High Court may quash the criminal proceedings if in its view, because of the compromise between the offender and the victim, the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of the criminal case would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal case despite full and complete settlement and compromise with the victim. In other words, the High Court must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest of justice to continue with the criminal proceeding or continuation of the criminal proceeding would tantamount to abuse of process of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim and the wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is appropriate that the criminal case is put to an end and if the answer to the above question(s) is in the affirmative, the High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceeding.”

Furthermore, the Bench then hastens to add in para 11 that, “These principles are subsequently reiterated in a number of cases. In State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Laxmi Narayan & Ors. (2019) 5 SCC 688 elaborating the principle the Hon’ble Supreme Court observed in para 15 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. xxx xxx xxx

15.5. While exercising the power under Section 482 of the Code to quash the criminal proceedings in respect of non-compoundable offences, 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.”

While citing yet another relevant case law, the Bench then propounds in para 12 that, “Further in the case of Yogendra Yadav & Ors. Vs. State of Jharkhand & Anr. reported in (2014) 9 SCC 653 recapitulating the Gian Singh’s case Principle (Supra) it has been observed as under :

“4. ———- Needless to say that offences which are non-compoundable cannot be compounded by the court. Courts draw the power of compounding offences from Section 320 of the Code. The said provision has to be strictly followed (Gian Singh v. State of Punjab [(2012) 10 SCC 303). However, in a given case, the High Court can quash a criminal proceeding in exercise of its power under Section 482 of the Code having regard to the fact that the parties have amicably settled their disputes and the victim has no objection, even though the offences are non-compoundable. In which cases the High Court can exercise its discretion to quash the proceedings will depend on facts and circumstances of each case. Offences which involve moral turpitude, grave offences like rape, murder, etc. cannot be effaced by quashing the proceedings because that will have harmful effect on the society. Such offences cannot be said to be restricted to two individuals or two groups. If such offences are quashed, it may send wrong signal to the society. However, when the High Court is convinced that the offences are entirely personal in nature and, therefore, do not affect public peace or tranquillity and where it feels that quashing of such proceedings on account of compromise would bring about peace and would secure ends of justice, it should not hesitate to quash them. In such cases, the prosecution becomes a lame prosecution. Pursuing such a lame prosecution would be waste of time and energy. That will also unsettle the compromise and obstruct restoration of peace.”

Most significantly, the Bench then holds in para 14 that, “In the backdrop of well defined limit and boundary for compounding the offences which are non-compoundable in nature, it is manifest that responsive justice is the genesis of delivering justice. In a society governed by rule of law, just and fair expectations of law abiding citizen are the essence of justice delivery system. In a criminal case where offences are of pure personal nature, not heinous or brutal and not adversely affecting the society at large being a private nature and the parties concerned have willingly and voluntarily settled their differences amicably, it would be in the fitness of things that non-compoundable offences can be allowed to be compounded, of course with righteousness and probity irrespective of the fact that the trial has already been concluded and the post conviction compromise has taken place at the appellate stage.”

No less significant is what is then stated in para 15 that, “In the present case it is found that there is a long history of enmity between the parties including prosecution and defence. It is a personal nature of dispute between the parties arising out of the landed properties of one Nakul Hazam pertaining to plot no.90 measuring an area of 34 decimals. In the purported dispute three persons were injured namely informant P.W.6, his brother Krishnadeo Chaudhary P.W.1 and one Nakul Hazam P.W.2. It is found that during the pendency of this appeal a joint compromise application has been filed vide the I.A.(Cr.) No. 7698 of 2018 by all the three injured persons namely injured-informant P.W.6, his injured brother Krishnadeo Chaudhary P.W.1 and Nakul Hazam P.W.2 at one hand and by the appellants namely Ganesh Choudhary and Akhileshwar Choudhary on the other hand supported with affidavits by each of the parties. From perusal of this joint interlocutory application on behalf of the appellants, informant and injured persons, it is found that in this joint compromise petition, it has been stated that during the pendency of this case, the informant, injured persons as well as appellants have entered into a compromise and all the parties concerned have mutually settled their dispute once and for all and they wanted to maintain good and healthy relations being neighbours. Further, it is found that on the intervention of close relatives and well-wishers of both the parties including the appellants and informant people compromised the matter amongst themselves and now the informant and injured persons do not want to proceed with the instant appeal. Under such circumstances it is evident that a mutual compromise has taken place between both the parties with respect to a dispute which is purely a personal nature of dispute between them inasmuch as neither public policy is involved nor any trace of brutality or ruthlessness in the purported offence nor affecting the peace ,tranquillity and conscious of the society and therefore it is a fit case, where this Court can allow the instant appeal be compounded taking into consideration the mutual compromise between both the parties as they have settled their entire disputes and differences amicably to dispel their misunderstanding without any coercion and threat as the present joint compromise petition has been filed through the aforesaid interlocutory application willingly and voluntarily by both the parties. Further it is found that the incident took place more than 20 years back and both the parties being neighbours are living in a harmonious atmosphere and hence for the ends of justice let the offences punishable under sections 324 and 326 be compounded under the circumstances of the present case. As a consequence the Judgment of Conviction and order of sentence dated 20.11.2003 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, FTC-V, Deoghar in S.T. No.281 of 2001, arising out of Madhupur P.S. Case No.191 of 2000, corresponding to G.R. No.435 of 2000, is hereby set-aside and this appeal is allowed as compounded. Since the appellants are on bail, they are discharged from the liability of the bail bonds.” What’s more, the Bench then states in para 16 that, “In result this appeal is allowed as above.”

In addition, the Bench then also states in para 17 that, “The I.A. (Cr.) No. 7698 of 2018 also stands disposed off.”

Finally, the Bench then concludes by directing in para 18 that, “Let the Lower Court Record be sent back forthwith to the concerned court below along with the copy of this judgment.”

In sum, this learned judgment by Jharkhand High Court allows compounding of offences at appellate stage. It lays down clearly in which cases and in what manner the offences can be compounded as already elaborated hereinabove. The same must always be adhered to by the courts. There can be just no denying it!