Rohit Bharadwaj & Ors vs State Govt. Of Nct Of Delhi And Anr

Manoj Jain, J

Petitioners herein seek quashing of FIR No.14/2019 dated 09.05.2019, registered at Police Station Crime (Women) Cell Nanak Pura, for commission of offences under Sections 498A/406/34/354 IPC, along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom, on the basis of compromise arrived at between the parties.

The marriage between complainant (respondent No.2 herein) and petitioner No.1 was solemnized on 08.11.2000, as per Hindu rites and ceremony. They were blessed with two children. Both these children have already attained the age of discretion.

However, on account of temperamental differences, parties could not stay together and when a complaint was made by respondent No.2 with Police Station Crime (Women) Cell Nanak Pura, it resulted into registration of the abovesaid FIR. There are allegations of commission of offence under Section 377 IPC against the husband and respondent No.2 has also made allegations against her father-in-law for outraging of her modesty.

Charge-sheet has already been filed and the case is at the stage of prosecution evidence and the next date before the learned Trial Court is stated to be 06.07.2026

Fact, however, remains that parties have been able to settle all their matrimonial disputes and entered into Memorandum of Understanding on 22.05.2025. In terms of the abovesaid settlement, all the other cases have been settled or got withdrawn. Parties have also taken divorce by way of mutual consent and decree in this regard has been drawn on 14.01.2026.

As per the terms of settlement, a flat situated in Himgiri Apartments, Vasant Kunj, which was, otherwise, in the name of father-in-law of respondent No.2, has already been transferred in the name of respondent No.2. Petitioner No.1 has also agreed to make payments towards his responsibility to his younger son and has also agreed to bear his educational expenses.

During course of the arguments, petitioner No.1, who is present in Court, assures that the abovesaid settlement terms would be duly adhered to. 8. When asked, respondent No. 2 reiterates the terms of abovesaid settlement. She states that she has entered into the abovesaid settlement voluntarily, without any coercion and influence from any corner whatsoever and therefore, she would have'no objection'if FIR in question is quashed in toto. She submits that she does not want any action against any of the petitioners. Her affidavit/No Objection Certificate has also been attached with the present petition.

In Narinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Anr.: (2014) 6 SCC 466, the Apex Court observed that proceedings, even in non-compoundable cases, can be quashed on the basis of settlement provided that the Court is satisfied that there was no meaningful purpose in continuing with the proceedings, and that the scope of conviction was remote and bleak. Reference be made to Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr.: (2012) 10 SCC 303.

In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties, continuing with criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose, especially, when dispute does not involve any public interest and is, primarily, private in nature. In any case, even the complainant does not wish to press any charges against the petitioners.

Accordingly, exercising inherent powers vested in this Court under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, it is deemed appropriate to quash the instant FIR.

Consequently, to secure the ends of justice, FIR No.14/2019 dated 09.05.2019, registered at Police Station Crime (Women) Cell Nanak Pura, for commission of offences under Sections 498A/406/34/354 IPC, along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom, is, hereby, quashed subject to petitioners' depositing cost of Rs. 20,000/- in the account of Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee within four weeks from today. Proof of deposit of cost, Original Settlement Deed dated 22.05.2025 and Original affidavits of the parties, copies of which have been placed on record in the present proceedings, shall be submitted before the learned Trial Court on or before the next date of hearing i.e. 06.07.2026, so that these become part of Trial Court Record.

The petition stands disposed of in aforesaid terms.