Suresh C. Singal vs State Of Gujarat 2025 INSC 495 - S. 482 CrPC - Predominant Civil Character
Code of Criminal Procedure 1973- Section 482- The stage and timing of the settlement play a crucial role in determination as to whether to exercise power under Section 482 of the CrPC 1973 or not -Where settlement has arrived at either immediately or in close vicinity after the alleged commission of offence and the matter is still under investigation, the High Court may be liberal in accepting the settlement to quash the criminal proceeding/investigation. Likewise, in cases where charge is framed but the evidence is not yet started or is at the infancy stage, the High Court may exercise its power by showing benevolence after prima facie assessment of circumstances and material mentioned. (Para 22) [Context: While quashing criminal proceedings , SC observed: the criminal case which has been sought to be projected and proceeded with against the Appellants has an overwhelming and pre-dominant civil character arising out of pure commercial transaction where the parties have resolved their entire dispute amongst themselves.]
