Harish Chand & Ors. v. The State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr

1. Petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) has been preferred on behalf of petitioners for quashing of FIR No.0355/2020, under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC read with Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act registered at P.S.: Karawal Nagar and proceedings emanating therefrom.

2. In brief, as per the case of the petitioners, marriage between petitioner No.1 and respondent No. 2 was solemnized according to Hindu Rites and ceremonies on 18.02.2017. Due to matrimonial differences, petitioner No.1 and respondent No. 2 started living separately. On complaint of respondent CRL.M.C. 7506/2024 Page 2 No. 2, present FIR was registered on 08.07.2020.

3. The disputes are stated to have been amicably settled between the parties in terms of Settlement arrived before Delhi Mediation Centre, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi vide settlement dated 12.07.2023. The marriage between petitioner No. 1 and respondent No. 2 has been dissolved by decree of divorce by way of mutual consent under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act vide judgment dated 13.05.2024.

4. An amount of Rs. 25,000/- has been handed over to respondent No. 2 today through DD No. 984281 dated 21.10.2024 drawn on Union Bank, Nutan Vidya Mandir, New Delhi in favour of respondent No. 2.

5. Learned APP for the State submits that in view of amicable settlement between the parties, she has no objection in case the FIR in question is quashed.

6. Petitioners and respondent No. 2 present in person, have been identified by ASI Vikram Singh, PS Karawal Nagar. I have interacted with the parties and they confirm that the matter has been amicably settled between them without any threat, pressure or coercion. Respondent No. 2 also states that nothing remains to be further adjudicated upon between the parties and she has no objection in case the FIR in question is quashed.

7. Considering the facts and circumstances, since the matter has been amicably settled between the parties, no useful purpose shall be served by keeping the case pending. It would be nothing but an abuse of the process of Court. The chances of conviction are bleak in view of amicable settlement between the parties. Consequently, FIR No.0355/2020, under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC read with Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act registered at CRL.M.C. 7506/2024 Page 3 P.S.: Karawal Nagar and proceedings emanating therefrom stand quashed. Petition is accordingly disposed of. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. A copy of this order be forwarded to learned Trial Court for information.

ANOOP KUMAR MENDIRATTA, J OCTOBER 22, 2024