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Judgment
Petitioners are arrayed as accused Nos. 1 to 3 in C.P.No.22/2017 of Judicial First Class Magistrate court, Kothamangalam arising from Crime
No.26/2017 of Kothamangalam Police Station for offences punishable under Sections 370, 34 IPC and Sections 75 and 79 of Juvenile Justice
Act. It was alleged by the prosecution that the petitioners had engaged juveniles for hard labour. Accordingly, crime was registered and after
investigation final report was filed.
The petitioners have approached this Court contending that the 3rd respondent who is in-charge of a local convent in Odisha had recommended
the children to do work at the institution of the petitioners herein at Kothamangalam considering the economic condition of the children.
Accordingly, they were only assisting in the running of the hostel. They were never engaged for hard labour.
Crl.M.C. is laid on a premise that the disputes between the parties have been settled amicably and the juveniles have no further grievance.
Annexures II and III are the affidavits filed by the fathers of the juveniles reiterating that they have no grievance against the petitioners and
submitted that the Crl.M.C. may be allowed.
The learned Public Prosecutor on instructions submitted that the disputes have been resolved and the statements of the victims have been
recorded. Having considered these facts, I feel that no purpose will be served by prosecuting the petitioners. Hence, I am inclined to invoke the
jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to quash the entire proceedings. Accordingly, Crl.M.C. is allowed. All further proceedings in
C.P.No.22/2017 of Judicial First Class Magistrate court, Kothamangalam stand quashed.