Settled IPC offences may be compounded, with proceedings quashed only against accused who joined the settlement.

The petitioners sought to quash the charge sheet in C.C. No. 137/2019, arising from Crime No. 280/2015, for offences under Sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 341 and 324 read with Section 149 of the IPC

At the hearing, counsel for the petitioners, except petitioners 7, 22 and 30, applied to compound the offences and sought dismissal of the petition on behalf of those three petitioners

The complainant was present and, in an affidavit, stated that he had no dispute or grievance against the settling petitioners

1. Whether the offences could be compounded on the basis of the settlement between the complainant and the petitioners who participated in it

2. Whether the criminal proceedings could be quashed against petitioners 7, 22 and 30, who were not parties to the settlement

The Court considered Section 320(1) read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

It permitted compounding of the offence under Section 324 IPC and treated the other offences as compoundable under Section 320(1) CrPC

The Court relied on the complainant’s presence and affidavit confirming that he had no dispute or grievance against the settling petitioners, and allowed the requested compounding

Because petitioners 7, 22 and 30 were not parties to the settlement, the Court excluded them from the relief granted

The proceedings were not quashed against petitioners 7, 22 and 30; the petition was disposed of accordingly.