Lawful compromise in criminal cases led to setting aside convictions, sentences and resulting acquittal in both matters.

A lawful compromise between the parties in two criminal matters was accepted by the SC after a joint petition placed the settlement before the Court. On that basis, the Court treated the criminal liability arising from the convictions as no longer warranting continuation of the penalties imposed below, and the convictions and sentences were set aside. The appellant was consequently acquitted in both cases.

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Issues: Whether the disputes between the parties could be lawfully compromised and, on such compromise, the convictions and sentences recorded against the appellant were liable to be set aside.

Analysis: The parties filed a joint petition placing before the Court a compromise of the disputes in both cases. The compromise was found to be lawful, and permission to effect the compromise was accorded. In view of the settlement, the criminal liability arising from the convictions under the two enactments was treated as no longer warranting continuation of the penalties imposed by the courts below.

Conclusion: The compromise was accepted, the convictions and sentences were set aside, and the appellant was acquitted in both cases.

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