In Brief
Two criminal appeals challenged the High Court's decision to quash FIRs for attempted murder (Section 307 IPC), outraging public decency (Section 294 IPC), and Arms Act violations. The High Court had quashed the proceedings solely on the ground that the complainant and accused had reached a settlement. The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in mechanically quashing these serious, non-compoundable offences. The Court reaffirmed that offences affecting public interest—such as attempted murder and Arms Act violations—cannot be quashed merely because parties have compromised. The High Court must scrutinise the entire facts, considering the gravity of offences, accused's antecedents, and timing of settlement. The appeals were allowed and the FIRs restored for continuation of proceedings.
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