Inherent power under Section 482 CrPC cannot bypass procedural limits in a cheque dishonour case based on compromise.

A petition under Section 482 CrPC seeking acquittal on compromise in a Section 138 Negotiable Instruments Act matter was found not maintainable. The Court reiterated that inherent power is extraordinary and must be exercised sparingly; it cannot be used to bypass specific procedural limits or revive relief after a connected revision had already been dismissed as not maintainable and bail-related relief had been rejected. On these facts, entertaining the petition would amount to abuse of process, and the petition was dismissed.

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Issues: Whether the petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 seeking acquittal on the basis of compromise in a matter under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 was maintainable and liable to be entertained.

Analysis: The petition was filed after the connected revision had already been dismissed as not maintainable and the application for suspension of sentence and bail had also been rejected. The Court reiterated that the inherent power under Section 482 is extraordinary, is to be used sparingly, and cannot be invoked where the relief sought would amount to bypassing specific procedural constraints. In the facts noted, entertaining the petition would amount to abuse of the process of law.

Conclusion: The petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was held to be not maintainable and was dismissed.

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