Introduction  The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, drafted on the recommendations of the Law Commission of India, came into force on April 1, 1974. Prior to this, criminal procedure was contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. The object of the new Code was to provide a machinery for the punishment of offences against the substantive criminal law and to ensure to the accused a fair trial, for the ascertainment of his guilt or innocence.1 An offence is said to mean any act or omission made punishable by any law for the time being in force and includes any act in respect of which a complaint may be made under S.20 of the Cattle-trespass Act, 1871.2 Every reported crime does not necessarily lead to the initiation of criminal proceedings. Under certain circumstances it may be advisable to allow the compounding of offences and to drop the criminal ....