What is a Compoundable and Non Compoundable offence in India

Compoundable offences

Compoundable offences are those offences where, the complainant (one who has filed the case, i.e. the victim), enter into a compromise, and agrees to have the charges dropped against the accused. However, such a compromise should be a "Bonafide," and not for any consideration to which the complainant is not entitled to.

Section 320 of the CrPC looks at the compounding of offences. Compoundable offences are less serious criminal offences and are of two different types mentioned in tables in Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as follows:

1. Court permission is not required: These are the offences, compounding of which do not require prior permission of the court.

Examples of these offences are:

adultery,
causing hurt,
defamation,
criminal trespass, etc.

Consult:Top Criminal Lawyers in India

2. Court permission is required:These are the offences, compounding of which require prior permission of the court.

Examples of such offences are:

theft,
criminal breach of trust,
voluntarily causing grievous hurt,
assault on a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty,
dishonest misappropriation of property amongst others, etc.

Application for compounding the offence shall be made before the same court before which the trial is proceeding. Once an offence has been compounded it shall have the same effect, as if, the accused has been acquitted of the charges.

ExamplesOfCompoundableOffences:

Uttering words etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person causing hurt.
Criminal or house-trespass.
Criminal breach of contract of service.
Printing or engraving matters, knowing it to be defamatory.
There are some offences, which although are compoundable and can be compounded only with the permission of the court.
These offences should be compounded before the trial begins.
Also where accused has already been convicted, and an appeal is pending, the permission of the court is required for compounding of such offences.
The reason for seeking permission from the court is that these offences are grievous in nature, and are bad examples in society.

Non Compoundable offences

Non- Compoundable offencesare some offences, which cannot be compounded. They can only be quashed. The reason for this is, because the nature of offence is so grave and criminal, that the Accused cannot be allowed to go scot-free. Here, in these types of cases generally, it is the "state", i.e. police, who has filed the case, and hence the question of complainant entering into compromise does not arise.

All those offences, which are not mentioned in the list under Section (320) of CrPC, are non-compoundable offences.

Under a non-compoundable offense, a private party as well as the society, both are affected by such offenses.

In Non-compoundable offense, no compromise is allowed. Even the court does not have the authority and power to compound such offense. Full trail is held which ends with the acquittal or conviction of the offender, based on the evidence given.

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ExampleOfNon-CompoundableOffences(Where Court's Permission is Required):

Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
Causing grievous hurt by doing on act so rashly and negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.
Wrongfully confining a person for three days or more.
Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage per modesty.
Dishonest misappropriation of property.
Criminal breach of trust by a cannier--- wharfinger-- etc, where the value of the property does not exceed two hundred and fifty rupees.
Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property or the making, alteration or destruction of a valuable security.
Fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration.
Mischief by killing or maiming cattle etc of any value of fifty rupees or upwards.
Counterfeiting a trade or property mark used by another.
Uttering words or sounds or making gestures or exhibiting any object intending to insult the modesty of a woman or intruding upon the privacy of a woman.

Difference Between Compoundable and Non-Compoundable Offences

The difference between Compoundable and Non-Compoundable offences has been listed below:
1. Nature of Crime: In compoundable offence, the nature of the offence not so serious. While, in the non-compoundable offence, the nature of the offence is serious.

2. Withdrawal of Charges: In compoundable offence, charges made against the accused can be withdrawn. While in the non-compoundable offence, the charges against the accused cannot be withdrawn.

3. Affected parties: In compoundable offence, it impacts only to a private person. While in the non-compoundable offence it affects both, private person as well as the society at large.

4. Compoundable: In compoundable offence, settlement can be done either with permission or without permission of the court. While in the non-compoundable offence, the offence cannot compound, it can only be quashed.

5. Filing of the case: In compoundable offence, cases are generally filed by a private person. While in the non-compoundable offence, cases are filed by the state.

Consult:Top Criminal Lawyers in India

Compounding or Compromise in Non-Compoundable Offences

The word compoundability of an offence under criminal law appears to be absurd a little bit because it is not an act which can be commercially or monetarily compensable. It is actually the hardship that is caused to the mind or body of the victim rather causing him only pecuniary loss. Generally the question of compromise will come into picture where the loss sustained by the victim can equally compensable in terms of money by the other.

Crime is essentially a wrong done to the society rather a wrong done to a private person. The object of criminal law is to punish the criminal attitude of the accused or wrong doer rather punishing him only physically. The convicted person after having undergone the punishment should never dare to think of repeating such criminal acts in future. It is cardinal principle of criminal law that thousands of culprits may be escaped from the clutch of the punishment but no single innocent person is to be dragged to behind the bars.

May be because of this reason, the rigors of criminal law are relaxed to some extent paving the way for compoundability of certain offences. These are such offences where the criminality that can be attributable to the wrong doer is of less significant or no significance at all. They found place in Section 320(1) and (2) of CrPc.As per these provisions, certain offences are compoundable without the permission of the court and others are with the permission of the court. But non compoundable offenses cannot be compounded even with the permission of the court.

But in Mahesh Chand V State of Rajasthan,1990 SCC(Cri)159:1989Cri LJ121, the Supreme court permitted compounding of non-compoundable offences invoking its power under Article 142 of Constitution to render complete justice to the parties concern. But this decision was regarded as Per in curium in the subsequent case Ram lal V State of J&K,(1999) and felt that due regard to the legal provision was not given and the provision 320(9) was completely ignored.

Again in B.S. Joshi V State of Haryana ,(2003) 4 SCC675, the question come up before SC that whether the High courts do vested with any powers to quash the proceedings involving non compoundable offences under Section 482 of the Code in order to achieve justice to the parties concern. For this the court has affirmatively answered saying that the High courts do have powers to invoke their inherent jurisdiction in meddling with matters involving non compoundable offences to meet the ends of justice.

Connect with an expert lawyer for your legal issue

The same judgment was carried and applied by the larger bench in Gian Singh V State of Punjab,(2012) by putting an end to the controversy as to the powers of High courts in quashing the proceedings in respect of offences which are of non- compoundable in nature.

Now at this juncture I would like to focus the subtle difference between the provisions embodied under 320 of CrPc and Sec.482 of CrPc. The powers under 320 can be exercised straight away in all cases which are coming within the ambit of compoundable offences. No special permissions are required because they are grilled provisions and are are specifically listed under the code.

But if we come to Section 482 of Crpc, it is inherent power given to HCs. These must be sparingly and cautiously exercised. The moment any provision speaks about the inherent nature of power, the object of legislation must be construed that such powers must be carefully, cautiously, judiciously exercised. Since the very meaning of inherent power connotes the inner meaning that the courts do exercise their discretion to some extent subject to certain limitations. That discretion is to be sparingly exercised.The interpretation to the said provision is to be given purposive construction. It means to say that, if circumstances of the case are not too dangerous, or not too heinous, and not endangering the public life or society and at the same time grilling the accused person for a longer time in the prison may lead to irreparable injustice, then the courts can quash the trial court proceedings and can order for compounding of the case though it is coming within the ambit of Non compoundable list.

Section 320 classifies compoundable offences into two categories:
The classification of offences under section 320 is as follows:

Court permission is required before compounding– Causing miscarriage, Voluntarily causing grievous hurt, Criminal breach of trust, bigamy etc.
Court permission is not required before compounding– Voluntarily causing hurt, Wrongfully restrainment or confinement of any person, Assault or use of criminal force, Theft, Cheating, Fraudulent removal or concealment of property, Criminal trespass, Adultery, Criminal intimidation etc.

While non-compoundable offences are those offences which are slightly more serious in nature than compoundable offences. Due to its gravity, these offences, cannot be compounded and can only be quashed. All the offences which are not mentioned under section 320 of CrPC are classified as non-compoundable offences. In these cases, the State or the police files case and act as the complainants and hence it is not possible for them to enter into a compromise.

Consult:Top Criminal Lawyers in India

Important JudgmentsRelated to Compoundable and Non-Compoundable Offences

Rameshchandra J, Thakkar vs. A. P. Jhaveri & Anr it was held that “If an acquittal is based on the compounding of an offence and the compounding is invalid under the law, the acquittal would be liable to be set aside by the High Court in the exercise of its revisional powers.” If there any non-compoundable offence has been compounded, against the law and the acquittal of the accused made is based on the same compromise, the High Court has the power to set aside such order.

Narinder Singh v State of Punjab: In the above case, all the principles are taken into consideration by the Supreme Court, and several judgments led down regarding compromise in non-compoundable cases and laid down the following guidelines regarding quashing criminal proceeding in case of non-compoundable offences by high courts when invoking their inherent powers provided under Section 482 of the CrPC;

However, in some cases, the Supreme Court gave permission for compounding the offence under section 307, Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit murder) in the case of ‘Mahesh Chand v State of Rajasthan‘.

While in the Supreme Court in ‘Ram Lal v State of J&K'by overruled its decision, held that “an offence which law declares to be non-compoundable even with the permission of the court cannot be compoundable at all”.

In the case ‘B.S. Joshi v State of Haryana’, Supreme Court held that “in a situation of proceedings on the basis of non-compoundable offences like Section 498-A and 406, the High Court could quash them under Section 482 CrPC”.

In ‘Gian Singh v State of Punjab‘, the Supreme Court upholding the decision of ‘B.S. Joshi v State of Haryana', observed that “offences arising out of family disputes or matrimony relating to dowry, etc in which wrong is basically private in nature and parties have resolved their disputes, High Court may quash the proceeding under Section 482 of the Code”. As this is the power which is different from the power of a criminal court to compound the offences.

Connect with an expert lawyer for your legal issue

Help of a Lawyer in your criminal case

A lawyer having substantial experience in handling criminal cases can guide you through the court procedure and can help you prepare solid argumentsfor your case. He can prepare you for cross-examinations and guide you on how to answer prosecution’s questions. Acriminal lawyeris an expert in dealing with criminal cases knows how to tackle a particular case owing to his years of experience. Having a good criminal lawyer by your side you can ensure a successful result in your case in the minimum time possible. He/She can help you in guiding you whether the offence you're dealing with is compoundable or not, the procedure to compound the same, and whether or not you should go ahead with compounding the offence.You can alsoask a lawyer onlinea free legal question using LawRato's Ask a Free Question service.

List of Compoundable Offences

Section of IPC	Type of Offence	Person by whom offence may be compounded
298 IPC	Uttering words, etc., with deliberate Intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.	The person whose religious feelings are intended to be wounded.
323 IPC	Causing hurt.	The person to whom the hurt is caused.
334 IPC	Voluntarily causing hurt on provocation.	The person to whom the hurt is caused.
341, 342, 343, 344, 346 IPC	Wrongfully restraining or confining any person.	The person restrained or confined.
352, 355, 358 IPC	Assault or use of criminal force.	The person assaulted or to whom criminal force is used.
426, 427 IPC	Mischief, when the only loss or damage caused is loss or damage to a private person.	The person to whom the loss or damage is caused.
447 IPC	Criminal trespass.	The person in possession of the property trespassed upon.
448 IPC	House trespass.	The person in possession of the property trespassed upon.
491 IPC	Criminal breach of contract of service.	The person with whom the offender has contracted.
497 IPC	Adultery.	The husband of the woman.
498 IPC	Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent of a married woman.	The husband of the woman.
500 IPC	Defamation. except such eases as are specified against section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) in column I of the Table under sub?section (2)	The person defamed.
501 IPC	Printing or engraving matter, knowing it to be defamatory.	The person defamed.
502 IPC	Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter, knowing it to contain such matter.	The person defamed.
504 IPC	Insult intended to provoke a breach of the peace.	The person insulted.
506 IPC	Criminal intimidation except when the offence is punishable with Imprisonment for seven years.	The person intimidated.
508 IPC	Act caused by making a person believe that he will be an object of divine displeasure.	The person against whom the offence was committed.

Compoundable offences are those thatcan be compromised, i.e. the complainant can agree to take back the charges levied against the accused, whereas, non - compoundable offences are the more serious offences in which the parties cannot compromise.

Connect with an expert lawyer for your legal issue

Compoundable offences

Compoundable offences are those offences where, the complainant (one who has filed the case, i.e. the victim), enter into a compromise, and agrees to have the charges dropped against the accused. However, such a compromise should be a "Bonafide," and not for any consideration to which the complainant is not entitled to.

Section 320 of the CrPC looks at the compounding of offences. Compoundable offences are less serious criminal offences and are of two different types mentioned in tables in Section 320 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as follows:

1. Court permission is not required: These are the offences, compounding of which do not require prior permission of the court.

Examples of these offences are:

adultery,
causing hurt,
defamation,
criminal trespass, etc.

Consult:Top Criminal Lawyers in India

2. Court permission is required:These are the offences, compounding of which require prior permission of the court.

Examples of such offences are:

theft,
criminal breach of trust,
voluntarily causing grievous hurt,
assault on a woman with the intention to outrage her modesty,
dishonest misappropriation of property amongst others, etc.

Application for compounding the offence shall be made before the same court before which the trial is proceeding. Once an offence has been compounded it shall have the same effect, as if, the accused has been acquitted of the charges.

ExamplesOfCompoundableOffences:

Uttering words etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person causing hurt.
Criminal or house-trespass.
Criminal breach of contract of service.
Printing or engraving matters, knowing it to be defamatory.
There are some offences, which although are compoundable and can be compounded only with the permission of the court.
These offences should be compounded before the trial begins.
Also where accused has already been convicted, and an appeal is pending, the permission of the court is required for compounding of such offences.
The reason for seeking permission from the court is that these offences are grievous in nature, and are bad examples in society.

Non Compoundable offences

Non- Compoundable offencesare some offences, which cannot be compounded. They can only be quashed. The reason for this is, because the nature of offence is so grave and criminal, that the Accused cannot be allowed to go scot-free. Here, in these types of cases generally, it is the "state", i.e. police, who has filed the case, and hence the question of complainant entering into compromise does not arise.

All those offences, which are not mentioned in the list under Section (320) of CrPC, are non-compoundable offences.

Under a non-compoundable offense, a private party as well as the society, both are affected by such offenses.

In Non-compoundable offense, no compromise is allowed. Even the court does not have the authority and power to compound such offense. Full trail is held which ends with the acquittal or conviction of the offender, based on the evidence given.

Connect with an expert lawyer for your legal issue

ExampleOfNon-CompoundableOffences(Where Court's Permission is Required):

Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
Causing grievous hurt by doing on act so rashly and negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of others.
Wrongfully confining a person for three days or more.
Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage per modesty.
Dishonest misappropriation of property.
Criminal breach of trust by a cannier--- wharfinger-- etc, where the value of the property does not exceed two hundred and fifty rupees.
Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property or the making, alteration or destruction of a valuable security.
Fraudulent execution of deed of transfer containing false statement of consideration.
Mischief by killing or maiming cattle etc of any value of fifty rupees or upwards.
Counterfeiting a trade or property mark used by another.
Uttering words or sounds or making gestures or exhibiting any object intending to insult the modesty of a woman or intruding upon the privacy of a woman.

Difference Between Compoundable and Non-Compoundable Offences

The difference between Compoundable and Non-Compoundable offences has been listed below:
1. Nature of Crime: In compoundable offence, the nature of the offence not so serious. While, in the non-compoundable offence, the nature of the offence is serious.

2. Withdrawal of Charges: In compoundable offence, charges made against the accused can be withdrawn. While in the non-compoundable offence, the charges against the accused cannot be withdrawn.

3. Affected parties: In compoundable offence, it impacts only to a private person. While in the non-compoundable offence it affects both, private person as well as the society at large.

4. Compoundable: In compoundable offence, settlement can be done either with permission or without permission of the court. While in the non-compoundable offence, the offence cannot compound, it can only be quashed.

5. Filing of the case: In compoundable offence, cases are generally filed by a private person. While in the non-compoundable offence, cases are filed by the state.

Consult:Top Criminal Lawyers in India

Compounding or Compromise in Non-Compoundable Offences

The word compoundability of an offence under criminal law appears to be absurd a little bit because it is not an act which can be commercially or monetarily compensable. It is actually the hardship that is caused to the mind or body of the victim rather causing him only pecuniary loss. Generally the question of compromise will come into picture where the loss sustained by the victim can equally compensable in terms of money by the other.

Crime is essentially a wrong done to the society rather a wrong done to a private person. The object of criminal law is to punish the criminal attitude of the accused or wrong doer rather punishing him only physically. The convicted person after having undergone the punishment should never dare to think of repeating such criminal acts in future. It is cardinal principle of criminal law that thousands of culprits may be escaped from the clutch of the punishment but no single innocent person is to be dragged to behind the bars.

May be because of this reason, the rigors of criminal law are relaxed to some extent paving the way for compoundability of certain offences. These are such offences where the criminality that can be attributable to the wrong doer is of less significant or no significance at all. They found place in Section 320(1) and (2) of CrPc.As per these provisions, certain offences are compoundable without the permission of the court and others are with the permission of the court. But non compoundable offenses cannot be compounded even with the permission of the court.

But in Mahesh Chand V State of Rajasthan,1990 SCC(Cri)159:1989Cri LJ121, the Supreme court permitted compounding of non-compoundable offences invoking its power under Article 142 of Constitution to render complete justice to the parties concern. But this decision was regarded as Per in curium in the subsequent case Ram lal V State of J&K,(1999) and felt that due regard to the legal provision was not given and the provision 320(9) was completely ignored.

Again in B.S. Joshi V State of Haryana ,(2003) 4 SCC675, the question come up before SC that whether the High courts do vested with any powers to quash the proceedings involving non compoundable offences under Section 482 of the Code in order to achieve justice to the parties concern. For this the court has affirmatively answered saying that the High courts do have powers to invoke their inherent jurisdiction in meddling with matters involving non compoundable offences to meet the ends of justice.

Connect with an expert lawyer for your legal issue

The same judgment was carried and applied by the larger bench in Gian Singh V State of Punjab,(2012) by putting an end to the controversy as to the powers of High courts in quashing the proceedings in respect of offences which are of non- compoundable in nature.

Now at this juncture I would like to focus the subtle difference between the provisions embodied under 320 of CrPc and Sec.482 of CrPc. The powers under 320 can be exercised straight away in all cases which are coming within the ambit of compoundable offences. No special permissions are required because they are grilled provisions and are are specifically listed under the code.

But if we come to Section 482 of Crpc, it is inherent power given to HCs. These must be sparingly and cautiously exercised. The moment any provision speaks about the inherent nature of power, the object of legislation must be construed that such powers must be carefully, cautiously, judiciously exercised. Since the very meaning of inherent power connotes the inner meaning that the courts do exercise their discretion to some extent subject to certain limitations. That discretion is to be sparingly exercised.The interpretation to the said provision is to be given purposive construction. It means to say that, if circumstances of the case are not too dangerous, or not too heinous, and not endangering the public life or society and at the same time grilling the accused person for a longer time in the prison may lead to irreparable injustice, then the courts can quash the trial court proceedings and can order for compounding of the case though it is coming within the ambit of Non compoundable list.

Section 320 classifies compoundable offences into two categories:
The classification of offences under section 320 is as follows:

Court permission is required before compounding– Causing miscarriage, Voluntarily causing grievous hurt, Criminal breach of trust, bigamy etc.
Court permission is not required before compounding– Voluntarily causing hurt, Wrongfully restrainment or confinement of any person, Assault or use of criminal force, Theft, Cheating, Fraudulent removal or concealment of property, Criminal trespass, Adultery, Criminal intimidation etc.

While non-compoundable offences are those offences which are slightly more serious in nature than compoundable offences. Due to its gravity, these offences, cannot be compounded and can only be quashed. All the offences which are not mentioned under section 320 of CrPC are classified as non-compoundable offences. In these cases, the State or the police files case and act as the complainants and hence it is not possible for them to enter into a compromise.

Consult:Top Criminal Lawyers in India

Important JudgmentsRelated to Compoundable and Non-Compoundable Offences

Rameshchandra J, Thakkar vs. A. P. Jhaveri & Anr it was held that “If an acquittal is based on the compounding of an offence and the compounding is invalid under the law, the acquittal would be liable to be set aside by the High Court in the exercise of its revisional powers.” If there any non-compoundable offence has been compounded, against the law and the acquittal of the accused made is based on the same compromise, the High Court has the power to set aside such order.

Narinder Singh v State of Punjab: In the above case, all the principles are taken into consideration by the Supreme Court, and several judgments led down regarding compromise in non-compoundable cases and laid down the following guidelines regarding quashing criminal proceeding in case of non-compoundable offences by high courts when invoking their inherent powers provided under Section 482 of the CrPC;

However, in some cases, the Supreme Court gave permission for compounding the offence under section 307, Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit murder) in the case of ‘Mahesh Chand v State of Rajasthan‘.

While in the Supreme Court in ‘Ram Lal v State of J&K'by overruled its decision, held that “an offence which law declares to be non-compoundable even with the permission of the court cannot be compoundable at all”.

In the case ‘B.S. Joshi v State of Haryana’, Supreme Court held that “in a situation of proceedings on the basis of non-compoundable offences like Section 498-A and 406, the High Court could quash them under Section 482 CrPC”.

In ‘Gian Singh v State of Punjab‘, the Supreme Court upholding the decision of ‘B.S. Joshi v State of Haryana', observed that “offences arising out of family disputes or matrimony relating to dowry, etc in which wrong is basically private in nature and parties have resolved their disputes, High Court may quash the proceeding under Section 482 of the Code”. As this is the power which is different from the power of a criminal court to compound the offences.

Connect with an expert lawyer for your legal issue

Help of a Lawyer in your criminal case

A lawyer having substantial experience in handling criminal cases can guide you through the court procedure and can help you prepare solid argumentsfor your case. He can prepare you for cross-examinations and guide you on how to answer prosecution’s questions. Acriminal lawyeris an expert in dealing with criminal cases knows how to tackle a particular case owing to his years of experience. Having a good criminal lawyer by your side you can ensure a successful result in your case in the minimum time possible. He/She can help you in guiding you whether the offence you're dealing with is compoundable or not, the procedure to compound the same, and whether or not you should go ahead with compounding the offence.You can alsoask a lawyer onlinea free legal question using LawRato's Ask a Free Question service.

List of Compoundable Offences

Section of IPC	Type of Offence	Person by whom offence may be compounded
298 IPC	Uttering words, etc., with deliberate Intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.	The person whose religious feelings are intended to be wounded.
323 IPC	Causing hurt.	The person to whom the hurt is caused.
334 IPC	Voluntarily causing hurt on provocation.	The person to whom the hurt is caused.
341, 342, 343, 344, 346 IPC	Wrongfully restraining or confining any person.	The person restrained or confined.
352, 355, 358 IPC	Assault or use of criminal force.	The person assaulted or to whom criminal force is used.
426, 427 IPC	Mischief, when the only loss or damage caused is loss or damage to a private person.	The person to whom the loss or damage is caused.
447 IPC	Criminal trespass.	The person in possession of the property trespassed upon.
448 IPC	House trespass.	The person in possession of the property trespassed upon.
491 IPC	Criminal breach of contract of service.	The person with whom the offender has contracted.
497 IPC	Adultery.	The husband of the woman.
498 IPC	Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent of a married woman.	The husband of the woman.
500 IPC	Defamation. except such eases as are specified against section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) in column I of the Table under sub?section (2)	The person defamed.
501 IPC	Printing or engraving matter, knowing it to be defamatory.	The person defamed.
502 IPC	Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter, knowing it to contain such matter.	The person defamed.
504 IPC	Insult intended to provoke a breach of the peace.	The person insulted.
506 IPC	Criminal intimidation except when the offence is punishable with Imprisonment for seven years.	The person intimidated.
508 IPC	Act caused by making a person believe that he will be an object of divine displeasure.	The person against whom the offence was committed.

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty

Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi

All Articles by Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty >>

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