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 case may be compounded, but only with the court's permission.

    • Special Act:The court may compound a punishment of imprisonment under the Act, before or after prosecution, on prescribed terms and a sum not above the maximum fine. RERA s.70

    BNSS s.359(2) (CrPC s.320(2))Because of: The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. s.68