Inherent powers may quash criminal proceedings and conviction on a genuine compromise to secure justice and prevent abuse of process.

A genuine and voluntary compromise between the parties can justify quashing criminal proceedings under the High Court's inherent jurisdiction, including where an appeal against conviction is pending, if such intervention is necessary to secure the ends of justice and prevent abuse of process. The compromise was verified through the trial court's report and the statements of the complainant and injured persons. On that basis, the FIR, consequential proceedings, judgment of conviction and order of sentence were quashed and set aside, subject to payment of costs.

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Issues: Whether the criminal proceedings, FIR, conviction and sentence could be quashed on the basis of a genuine compromise entered into between the parties during the pendency of the appeal, by invoking inherent powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Analysis: The compromise was found to be voluntary and genuine on the basis of the report of the trial court and the statements of the complainant and other injured persons. The Court applied the principle that the inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. is wide enough to quash criminal proceedings to secure the ends of justice and prevent abuse of process, even where conviction has already been recorded and the appeal is pending, if the facts justify such intervention.

Conclusion: The petition was allowed and the FIR and all consequential proceedings, including the judgment of conviction and order of sentence, were quashed and set aside, subject to payment of costs.

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