In Brief
In this criminal appeal, the Supreme Court examined whether a High Court could quash criminal proceedings based on a settlement agreement between the accused and one victim, when the original injured complainant (who filed the FIR) was not a party to the settlement and opposed it. The FIR involved kidnapping and rioting charges. The Court held that the High Court erred in quashing proceedings without the original complainant's consent. Non-compoundable, serious offences cannot be quashed based on partial settlement, as they affect society broadly. The original complainant must be a party to any valid settlement. The appeal was allowed and proceedings were restored to the trial court for expeditious disposal.
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