In Brief
The appellants challenged the Punjab and Haryana High Court's judgment that restored a previously quashed FIR. The parties had entered a compromise deed, on which basis criminal proceedings were quashed. The complainant later sought revival of the FIR for alleged breach of the compromise terms. The Supreme Court held that section 362 CrPC's bar against altering signed judgments is almost absolute. Inherent powers under section 482 CrPC cannot override this prohibition except to remedy abuse of process or meet ends of justice. Breach of compromise terms cannot justify reviving quashed proceedings. The Court allowed the appeal and set aside the High Court's order.
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