Need a Lawyer Right Now?
Hi, My client got a life imprisonment in a case of 376(3) PPC. Now both parties had settled the matter now what shall I do for the acquittal of accused in this matter. Is this can be compoundable in court if yes then how
cquittal in a case of life imprisonment under Section 376(3) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) after a settlement is complex because rape is a non-compoundable offence, meaning the law does not officially allow settlement. The offence under 376 PPC (Rape) is legally non-compoundable, meaning the victim and accused cannot legally settle the case. Compromise cannot be accepted without strict judicial scrutiny, often requiring the case to be handled by a High Court or the Supreme Court, which may treat the settlement as a factor in the case's final outcome. A petition is filed to bring the compromise to the notice of the court.
LowerCourt/District Court | 242/A, District Court Faisalabad
City: Faisalabad | 7-10 Years Experience | B.A, LL.B,LL.M (-)
Section 376(3) of the Pakistan Penal Code relates to rape of a minor and carries severe punishment including life imprisonment. This offence is non-compoundable under Section 345 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Therefore, even if parties have settled, the trial court cannot record compromise and acquit on that basis. After conviction, the proper course is to file an appeal before the High Court (if not already filed). In appeal, you may argue on merits, contradictions, consent issues (if legally relevant), age proof defects, medical inconsistencies, or procedural irregularities. Compromise itself is not a legal ground for acquittal in 376(3) PPC because it is an offence against society, not just an individual. At best, compromise may be presented for limited consideration in sentence mitigation, but legally it does not make the offence compoundable nor automatically result in acquittal.
LowerCourt/District Court | 7th floor, Fareed chambers Abdullah Haroon road Near High court of Sindh Karachi.
City: Karachi | 1-3 Years Experience | B.A, LL.B (-)
Under Pakistani law, an offense under Section 376(3) PPC (rape of a minor) is non-compoundable, meaning a private settlement between parties does not automatically lead to acquittal . However, a compromise can still be a powerful mitigating factor. Your best course of action is to file a Criminal Appeal before the High Court against the life imprisonment conviction. During the appeal, you can present the compromise deed and place on record the complainant's statement that they no longer wish to pursue the matter. While the court cannot acquit solely on this basis due to the nature of the offense, the higher courts have consistently used such compromises to reduce the sentence to the period already undergone . The court will also consider the compromise favorably for granting bail to your client pending the appeal's decision . And you should also look up for relevant precedents....
Lower Court/District Court | 351 Kiyani Chambers Session Court Gujranwala
City: Gujranwala | 1-3 Years Experience | LL.B (Honours) (-)
Non compoundable. You will have to challenge the judgement in appeal and get him acquitted.
High Court Islamabad | Chamber # 31, District Courts, Attock.
City: Attock | 5-7 Years Experience | LL.B (Honours) (-)
Pakistan, an offence under Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 Section 376(3) (rape) is considered a non-compoundable offence under Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 Section 345 CrPC. This means that the parties cannot legally compound the offence in the trial court or appellate court, even if they have settled the matter privately. Since your client has already been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, the usual legal remedy is to file a Criminal Appeal before the High Court under Section 410 CrPC (if not already filed). In the appeal, you can place the compromise/affidavit of the complainant or victim on record, which may be considered by the court while assessing the credibility of the prosecution evidence or while deciding the appeal. In some situations, courts have taken compromise into account for benefit of doubt or reduction of sentence, but direct compounding leading to acquittal is not permissible for rape offences.
High Court Sindh | R-5, Sumaira Bungalows, Scheme 33, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Karachi
City: Karachi | 3-5 Years Experience | B.A, LL.B (-)
We provide multiple practice sessions specifically designed to help aspiring lawyers prepare effectively for the Law GAT (Graduate Assessment Test) as per outline.
Success! Your action was completed.
“Allah is sufficient for me. There is none worthy of worship but Him. I have placed my trust in Him. He is the Lord of the Majestic throne.”