Can it be compounded?

Whether a settlement with the victim can end the case, and whether the court's permission is needed.

BNSS s.359 (formerly CrPC s.320): offences in Table 1 can be compounded by the victim alone, those in Table 2 with the court's permission. Composition has the effect of an acquittal (s.359(8)). For non-compoundable offences the High Court can still quash proceedings under s.528 (formerly s.482).

What the procedure allows

Each answer cites the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) first, with the old Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) section in brackets.

These sections look like a case from before 1 July 2024. An investigation, inquiry or trial pending on that day continues under the CrPC (BNSS s.531), so the CrPC section in brackets is the one that applies. If the FIR was registered on or after 1 July 2024, the BNSS applies. No case date was given, so this is inferred from the sections cited.

  • Compounding (settlement)

    No

    At least one offence cannot be compounded, so a settlement does not end the case. Only the High Court's inherent power to quash remains (BNSS s.528, formerly CrPC s.482).

    BNSS s.359(1) (CrPC s.320(1))Because of: IPC s.462