Quashing of criminal proceedings on compromise where settlement was voluntary and continuation would serve no fruitful purpose.

An FIR alleging cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy was quashed on the basis of a voluntary compromise recorded between the parties. The complainants stated that the settlement was entered into without threat, pressure, coercion or undue influence, were satisfied with the allotment, and raised no objection to quashing. The Court held that continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no fruitful purpose and that quashing would secure peace and the ends of justice. Noting that police and judicial time had already been consumed and that the matter had reached the chargesheet stage, the Court imposed costs on the petitioners.

---

---

Issues: Whether the FIR for cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy should be quashed on the basis of a settlement between the parties and whether costs should be imposed.

Analysis: The parties placed the settlement on record and stated that it was arrived at voluntarily, without threat, pressure, coercion or undue influence. The complainant parties expressed satisfaction with the allotment and stated that they had no objection to quashing of the FIR. The Court found that continuance of the criminal proceedings would serve no fruitful purpose and that quashing the proceedings would secure peace and the ends of justice. The Court also noted that police and judicial time had been consumed and that the matter had proceeded to the stage of filing of chargesheet, warranting imposition of costs.

Conclusion: The FIR was quashed on the basis of compromise, and the petition was allowed with costs imposed on the petitioners.

---