Inherent power to quash non-compoundable proceedings applies where a genuine compromise settles a private dispute.

The High Court's inherent power under Section 482 CrPC is distinct from the statutory power of compounding under Section 320, and it may be used to quash FIR-related proceedings to secure the ends of justice or prevent abuse of process. Where the compromise between the parties is genuine and voluntary, the dispute is private in nature, and the matter has a predominantly civil flavour, continuation of criminal proceedings may be unjust and oppressive. This power is not meant for heinous or serious offences with broader societal impact, but it can extend to non-compoundable offences in appropriate private disputes. In the present matter, the FIR and all consequential proceedings were quashed on the basis of compromise.

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Issues: Whether the FIR and consequential proceedings could be quashed under the Court's inherent powers on the basis of a genuine compromise between the parties, although the offences invoked were non-compoundable.

Analysis: The compromise was found to be genuine and voluntary on the basis of the magistrate's report. The governing principle is that the High Court's inherent power under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is distinct from the statutory power of compounding under Section 320. Such power may be exercised to secure the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of process, but not for heinous or serious offences having a societal impact. In disputes of a private nature, particularly where the matter has overwhelmingly civil flavour and the parties have settled the dispute fully, continuation of criminal proceedings may be unjust and oppressive.

Conclusion: The petition was rightly accepted and the FIR, DDR and all consequential proceedings were quashed qua the petitioners on the basis of compromise.

Ratio Decidendi: The High Court may quash a criminal proceeding under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, even in relation to non-compoundable offences, when the dispute is essentially private, the compromise is genuine, and continuation of the prosecution would amount to abuse of process and would not serve the ends of justice.

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