Gauhati High Court's Kohima Bench quashes proceedings in a minister's vehicle theft case following a compromise among three parties
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KOHIMA — The Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against L Lipok Imchen in a case involving the alleged theft of a Toyota Fortuner registered in the name of Nagaland minister Temjen Imna Along, following a compromise between the accused, complainant and registered owner.
In an order dated October 13, the court set aside the FIR registered at Kohima South police station on October 15, 2025, along with the corresponding general register case, chargesheet and all subsequent proceedings.
The case originated from the alleged theft of a white Toyota Fortuner bearing registration number NL 10. The accused was charged under Section 305(e) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, according to the case details.
The court was approached jointly by the accused, the complainant and the vehicle's registered owner, seeking quashing of the FIR on the ground that they had settled the matter.
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According to the petition, the parties executed a compromise deed on August 3, 2026, after discussions and deliberations. The petition cited the Christian spirit of forgiveness as the basis for the settlement.
Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the parties had mutually resolved the dispute and urged the court to quash the criminal proceedings in view of the compromise.
The court remarked that the offence under the provision invoked was not compoundable. However, considering the nature of the case and the compromise between the parties, it observed that continuing the proceedings would serve no purpose.
The court accordingly allowed the petition and quashed the FIR, the corresponding general register case, the chargesheet and all subsequent criminal proceedings arising from the case. It made no order as to costs.