Anju Pareshbhai Hora vs State of Gujarat

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R.M. Chhaya, J.—Heard the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties.

Rule. Learned advocates appearing for the respective respondents waive service of Rule on behalf of the respective respondents. Mr. Hardik Dave, learned advocate shall file his Vakalatnama for respondent No. 2 within two working days.

Considering the issue involved in the present application and with consent of the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties as well as considering the fact that the dispute amongst the applicants and respondent No. 2 has been resolved amicably, this application is taken up for final disposal forthwith.

By way of this application under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as "the Code"), the applicants have prayed for quashing and setting aside FIR bearing I-C.R. No. 107 of 2013 registered with Ellisbridge Police Station, Ahmedabad, for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 498(A), 294(b), 506(1) and 114 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3, 4 and 7 of the Dowry Prohibition Act as well as all other consequential proceedings arising out of the aforesaid FIR qua the applicants.

The learned advocate for the applicants has taken this Court through the factual matrix arising out of the present application. At the outset, it is submitted that applicant No. 1 and respondent No. 2 were the husband and wife and because of matrimonial dispute between them present FIR came to be lodged. It was further submitted that as the parties have amicably resolved the issue, any further continuance of the proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIR as well as any further proceedings arising therefrom would create hardship to the applicants. It is submitted that respondent No. 2 has filed an affidavit in these proceedings and has declared that the dispute between the applicants and respondent No. 2 is resolved due to intervention of trusted persons of the society. It is further submitted that in view of the fact that the dispute is resolved, the trial would be futile and any further continuance of the proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law. It is therefore submitted that this Court may exercise its inherent powers conferred under Section 482 of the Code and allow the application as prayed for.

The learned APP has candidly submitted that in view of the fact that the applicants and respondent No. 2 have amicably resolved the dispute, this Court may pass appropriate orders.

The learned advocate for respondent No. 2 has reiterated the contentions raised by the learned advocate for the applicants. Learned counsel for respondent No. 2 has submitted that respondent No. 2 has also preferred a complaint under the Domestic Violence Act, before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Ahmedabad and the same was withdrawn by respondent No. 2. The learned advocate for respondent No. 2 also relied upon the affidavit filed by respondent No. 2-Krutika Anuj Hora dated 19.09.2014. Respondent No. 2 is present in person before the Court and is identified by learned advocate for respondent No. 2. The learned advocate for respondent No. 2 has tendered a photocopy of the PAN card to establish the identity of respondent No. 2, which is taken on record. On inquiry made by the Court, respondent No. 2 has declared before this Court that the dispute between the applicants and respondent No. 2 is resolved due to intervention of trusted persons of the society and therefore, now the grievance stands redressed. It is therefore submitted that the present application may be allowed.

Having heard the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties, considering the facts and circumstances arising out of the present application as well as taking into consideration the decisions rendered in the cases of CBI, ACB, Mumbai Vs. Narendra Lal Jain and Others, , Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab and Another, , Madan Mohan Abbot Vs. State of Punjab, , Nikhil Merchant Vs. Central Bureau of Investigation and Another, , Manoj Sharma Vs. State and Others, and Narinder Singh and Others Vs. State of Punjab and Another, , it appears that further continuation of criminal proceedings in relation to the impugned FIR against the applicants would be unnecessary harassment to the applicants. It appears that the trial would be futile and further continuance of the proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIR would amount to abuse of process of law and Court and hence, to secure the ends of justice, the impugned FIR is required to be quashed and set aside in exercise of powers conferred under Section 482 of the Code.

Resultantly, this application is allowed and the impugned FIR bearing I-C.R. No. 107 of 2013 registered with Ellisbridge Police Station, Ahmedabad, filed against the present applicants is hereby quashed and set aside. Consequently, all other proceedings arising out of the aforesaid FIR are also quashed and set aside. It is, however, clarified that this judgment would apply only to the present applicants. Accordingly, Rule is made absolute. Direct service is permitted.