What Are Compoundable and Non-compoundable Offences ?

The criminal law permits some minor offences to be ―compromised‖ or ―settled‖ between the parties. A detailed list of these is provided under Section 320 of CrPC. These are termed ―compoundable‖ offences. However, major offences such as rape, murder, decoity, dowry death, cruelty to wives, etc. cannot be compromised between the parties. Only the higher courts, i.e. the concerned High Court or the Supreme Court has the auhority to compound these offences. Hence these are termed ―non-compoundable‖ offences.