सं Samvidhan

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 359

Compounding of offences

Why this exists

Compounding recognises that certain lesser offences primarily harm a private individual's interests rather than deeply threatening public order, and lets the affected person settle the dispute directly and end the criminal case, often through reconciliation or restitution, saving court time while giving victims meaningful control over disputes that are essentially personal in nature. More serious offences still require court oversight to prevent misuse or pressure on the victim.

Common misconceptions
  • Myth: Any criminal case can be dropped simply because the victim forgives the accused.
    Fact: Only offences specifically listed in this section's tables can be compounded at all, some only with the court's permission, and the law states no offence can be compounded except exactly as this section provides.