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Quick Answer
Compoundable offences are those that the legislature deems suitable for private settlement between victim and accused. Section 359 BNSS lists offences in two categories: those compoundable without court permission (typically minor disputes — simple hurt, defamation, criminal trespass) and those compoundable with court permission (more serious — voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapons, criminal breach of trust, theft below specified value). Once compounded, the prosecution stands terminated and the accused is acquitted. Murder, rape, dowry death, and other grave offences are non-compoundable.
Statutory reference
Section 359 BNSS 2023
Section 359 BNSS carries two tables that decide everything: offences compoundable by the victim alone (simple hurt, defamation, criminal trespass) and offences compoundable only with the court's permission (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means, criminal breach of trust, cheating). Compounding is the victim's act, not the accused's — the complainant applies, the court verifies the settlement is voluntary, and the effect is an acquittal, not merely a closure. Cheque-bounce cases under Section 138 NI Act are separately compoundable under Section 147 of that Act at any stage, which is why Lok Adalats dispose of them in bulk. Where an offence is non-compoundable but the parties have genuinely settled — the 498A/matrimonial pattern — the route is not compounding at all but quashing before the High Court under Section 528 BNSS on the Gian Singh line.
Worked example
A dispute between two Faridabad shop neighbours ends in a scuffle and an FIR for voluntarily causing hurt. A year into the trial, elders broker peace: the complainant files a compounding application under Section 359 BNSS with the settlement recorded, and because the offence sits in the with-permission table, the magistrate examines both parties to confirm the compromise is voluntary and permits it — the accused stands acquitted the same day. His cousin's 498A case, settled the same season, needed a different door entirely: cruelty is non-compoundable, so the family took the settlement deed to the High Court for quashing instead.
Related practice areas
Offence which the complainant and accused can settle (compound) under Section 359 BNSS (formerly Section 320 CrPC), terminating prosecution. Categorised as compoundable with or without court permission.
Compoundable Offence is governed by Section 359 BNSS 2023. Compoundable offences are those that the legislature deems suitable for private settlement between victim and accused. Section 359 BNSS lists offences in two categories: those compoundable without court permission (typically minor disputes — simple hurt, defamation, criminal trespass) and those compoundable with court permission (more serious — voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapons, criminal breach of trust, theft below specified value). Once compounded, the prosecution stands terminated and the accused is acquitted. Murder, rape, dowry death, and other grave offences are non-compoundable.
Compoundable Offence falls under Criminal Law. NyaySevak matches you with a Bar-Council-verified advocate in the relevant practice area — your first step is a free case assessment with no obligation.
Definitions describe the framework — your case lives in its facts. Talk to a Bar-Council-verified advocate. Case assessment is free and comes with no obligation; callback usually within 24 hours.