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.

Cases registered on or after 1 July 2024 run under the BNSS. No case date was given, so this is inferred from the sections cited.

  • Compounding (settlement)

    Yes

    The offence may be compounded by a named authority under the Act's own provision (a Tribunal, Commissioner or Regional Director) — not by the victim's settlement.

    • Special Act:An officer empowered by the Government may at any time compound any offence under the Act on compensation he fixes. Composition has the effect of acquittal. Kerala Chitties Act s.62

    BNSS s.359(1) (CrPC s.320(1))Because of: Kerala Chitties Act, 1975 s.41