Sita Sharma vs. Sher Singh
Held
The Court held that the matter had been finally settled between the parties through a voluntary and amicable agreement. The settlement amount of Rs. 2,73,000/- had been paid to the respondent-complainant, and the deposited amounts were to be released to the petitioner-accused. In view of this settlement, the Court decided to compound the offense. The compounding of the offense has the effect of an acquittal. Therefore, the petitioner-accused stands acquitted. The Court also deemed it inexpedient to impose any compounding fee, considering the cost-effective and speedy disposal of the matter before the National Lok Adalat. The petitioner was directed to furnish bank account details for the release of deposited amounts.
Facts
This case involves a criminal revision petition filed by Sita Sharma against Sher Singh & Anr. The matter was referred to the National Lok Adalat for settlement. Both parties, represented by their respective counsels, appeared and stated they were instructed to settle the matter. They voluntarily and amicably resolved their dispute with free consent and without undue influence or misrepresentation. A settlement was reached for a lump sum of Rs. 2,73,000/-, which has been paid to the respondent-complainant. It was also agreed that any amount deposited by the petitioner-accused before the Registry of the High Court and the Trial Court would be released to the petitioner. The parties accepted the terms of the settlement.
Key Issues
1. Whether the criminal revision petition can be compounded in light of the settlement arrived at between the parties? (Question of law) Arguments: Petitioner: The petitioner argued that a settlement has been reached voluntarily and amicably between the parties, and therefore, the criminal revision petition should be compounded, leading to an acquittal. They relied on the principle of speedy and cost-effective dispute resolution through the Lok Adalat. Revenue/State: The respondent-State, represented by the Additional Advocate General, did not record any specific arguments against the compounding of the offense. The judgment indicates that the counsel for the State, along with the counsel for the respondent No.1, appeared and stated they were under instructions to settle the matter.
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
BEFORE THE NATIONAL LOK ADALAT Sita Sharma vs. Sher Singh & Anr. Criminal Revision No. 77 of 2014 09.05.2026 Present: Mr. H.S. Rangra, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Divya Raj Singh, Advocate vice counsel for the respondent No.1 Mr. Pratush Sharma, Additional Advocate General for the respondent No.2-State. Both counsels appeared for the parties and they have stated that they are under instructions from the parties to settle the matter. The matter has been referred for determination to the National Lok Adalat. Both the parties have voluntarily and amicably settled the matter with their free consent, will, volition and without any undue influence or misrepresentation. As per settlement arrived at between the parties, the matter has been settled for a sum of Rs. 2,73,000/- (Two Lacs Seventy Three Thousand Only) in lump sum, which stands paid to the respondent-complainant. It is also been agreed by the parties that amount which stand deposited before the Registry of the Hon’ble Court and before learned Trial Court shall be released to the petitioner-accused. Thus, the matter stand finally settled between the parties. Thus, in view of the aforesaid terms and
The judgment continues below.
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