The Delhi High Court on September 26, 2025 quashed all proceedings against the appellant conviction for a non-compoundable offence of causing grievous hurt under Section 324 IPC. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, allowed the plea, noting lapse of time and the victim’s voluntary decision to compromise with the appellant, made of his own free will and without any threat, coercion, or undue influence.
The case originated when a dispute arose over verbal abuse which escalated when the appellant inflicted a knife injury on the complainant. The trial court, relying on the evidence, convicted him under Section 324 IPC for grievous hurt with a knife and was sentenced to two years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 1000, with a further one month of simple imprisonment in default of payment. After his sentence had been suspended by the High Court on January 3rd, 2018, the petitioner sought to quash the conviction,sentence and all criminal proceedings registered under Section 324 IPC. During the pendency of the appeal, the parties informed the Court that they had settled their disputes. An application supported by a compromise deed dated 24.09.2025 and the affidavit of the complainant was placed on record. The complainant appeared before the Court and confirmed that he had amicably resolved the matter with the appellant and raised no objection to the compounding of the offence.
The Court noted that the incident dated back to 2014 and arose from a quarrel in which the 29-year-old appellant inflicted a single knife injury on the victim, an acquaintance from his video parlour. It further observed that the appellant had no prior convictions and was the sole breadwinner for his family, which included a blind sister. The Court emphasized that the extraordinary power vested in a High Court under Section 482 CrPC extends beyond the constraints of Section 320 IPC as a non-compundable offence, and may be exercised in appropriate circumstances, keeping in view the nature of the offence, its impact on society, the injuries caused, the voluntary nature of the compromise, and the conduct of the accused. Taking into account the victim’s affidavit confirming an amicable settlement, the Court allowed the application, quashed the FIR and all related proceedings, set aside the conviction and sentence, and discharged the bail bonds and sureties and disposed of the appeal on the above terms.
Appearances:
For the Appellant : Advs-Mr. Piyush Singhal, Mr. Preet Singh, Ms. Khushi Thawal
For the State : Ms.Shubhi Gupta, APP for State with SI Lokesh Kumar PS Govind Puri Ms. Yoshita Khullar, Advocate with complainant in person.
