Compoundable and Non Compoundable Offences

Offences are divided into two main categories: compoundable and non compoundable offences. These classifications provide a framework for understanding the severity of different offences and the ways they are addressed within the legal system

Compoundable offences are minor crimes where the victim can agree to drop charges through compromise. Non-compoundable offences are serious crimes that can’t be settled and require full trials for justice.

Meaning of Compoundable Offences

Compoundable offences are those crimes where the person who filed the case (the victim) agrees to drop the charges against the accused by making a genuine compromise. This compromise should be made without any improper reasons or benefits for the victim.

Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) deals with the possibility of resolving offences through compromise. These offences are less severe criminal actions and fall into two categories, as described in Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code:

No Court Permission Needed: These offences can be settled without needing approval from the court beforehand. Examples of such offences include:

• Adultery – Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
• Causing minor injuries intentionally – Section 323, IPC
• Defamation – Section 500, IPC
• Unlawful entry onto someone else’s property – Section 447, IPC

Court Permission Needed: To resolve these offences through compromise, prior permission from the court is required. Examples of these offences are:

• Theft – Section 379, IPC
• Misappropriation of entrusted property – Section 406, IPC
• Causing serious injuries intentionally – Section 325, IPC
• Assault on a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty – Section 354, IPC
• Dishonest use of property – Section 403, IPC

Applications to settle an offence through compromise must be submitted to the same court where the trial is ongoing. Once an offence is resolved in this way, it’s treated as if the accused person has been found not guilty.

However, some offences, even though they can be settled through compromise, require the court’s permission. These offences should be settled before the trial begins. If the accused has already been found guilty and an appeal is pending, court permission is necessary to settle these offences. The court’s permission is needed for these cases because these offences are serious in nature and set a negative example for society.

Examples of Compoundable Offences include:

• Saying things intentionally to hurt someone’s religious feelings – Section 298, IPC
• Unlawful entry into a home or building – Section 448, IPC
• Violating a contract of service – Section 491, IPC
• Printing or engraving defamatory material knowingly – Section 500, IPC

Meaning of Non-Compoundable Offences

Non-compoundable offences are serious crimes that cannot be settled through compromise. They can only be dismissed or quashed. The reason behind this is that these offences are so severe and criminal that the accused cannot be allowed to avoid punishment. In such cases, it’s usually the “state” or the police that has filed the case, so the idea of the victim making a compromise doesn’t apply.

All offences that are not listed in Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code are considered non-compoundable.

Both individuals and society are affected by non-compoundable offences.

In a non-compoundable offence, no compromise is permitted. Even the court doesn’t have the authority to settle such an offence. A full trial takes place, resulting in either the offender being acquitted or convicted based on the provided evidence.

Examples of non-compoundable offences include:

• Causing intentional harm using dangerous weapons or methods – Section 324, IPC
• Reckless driving or riding on a public road – Section 279, IPC
• Unlawfully confining a person for three days or more – Section 343, IPC
• Physically assaulting or using criminal force against a woman with the intent to violate her modesty – Section 354, IPC
• Breach of trust by a public servant, banker, merchant or agent, etc. – Section 409, IPC
• Damaging a public road, bridge, navigable river or channel, making it unsafe for travel or property conveyance – Section 431, IPC
• Creating fake marks that public servants use to denote property ownership or quality – Section 484, IPC

Difference Between Compoundable and Non-Compoundable Offences

The difference between Compoundable and Non Compoundable offences can be comprehended by exploring the following key aspects in greater detail:

Nature of Crime

Compoundable offences are characterised by their less severe nature. On the other hand, non-compoundable offences are marked by their gravity and seriousness, making them significantly more severe in comparison.

Withdrawal of Charges

In cases of compoundable offences, the charges levied against the accused can be retracted or withdrawn if both parties reach a compromise. However, in the realm of non-compoundable offences, the charges brought against the accused cannot be retracted or withdrawn, regardless of any agreements between parties.

Affected Parties

Compoundable offences predominantly impact private individuals, often involving disputes between individuals. Contrarily, non-compoundable offences extend their ramifications to both private individuals and the broader society at large, suggesting a broader social consequence.

Compoundable Nature

In the context of compoundable offences, the process of resolution can transpire with or without the court’s approval. The parties involved can resolve the matter through an agreement, either with or without the court’s formal endorsement. Conversely, in non-compoundable offences, the option of compounding the offence is off the table; the only recourse is to seek the quashing of the charges.

Filing of the Case

The origination of cases related to compoundable offences generally stems from private individuals, who initiate legal proceedings against the accused. In contrast, cases associated with non-compoundable offences are often initiated by the state or government authorities, emphasising the state’s involvement in seeking justice for more serious crimes.

Table on Difference Between Compoundable and Non Compoundable Offences

Conclusion

The classification of offences into compoundable and non-compoundable serves as a fundamental framework within legal systems. Compoundable offences, characterised by their less severe nature, allow for the possibility of resolution through compromise, often with the consent of the aggrieved party. 

This approach aligns with the idea of providing leniency and promoting conciliation in cases where the harm caused is relatively minor. On the other hand, non-compoundable offences, marked by their gravity and societal impact, reject the possibility of compromise, emphasising the need for full trials to ensure justice. 

The distinction underscores the balance between individual rights and the broader welfare of society, emphasising that more serious transgressions warrant a stricter approach to accountability and punishment, while less severe ones encourage opportunities for reconciliation.