Naveen Saini & Anr. v. State (NCT of Delhi) & Ors.

Delhi High Court · 24 Aug 2023 · 2023:DHC:6212
Dinesh Kumar Sharma
CRL.M.C. 5864/2022
2023:DHC:6212
criminal appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR under Sections 323, 324, and 34 IPC based on an amicable settlement between the parties, applying the principles governing the exercise of inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC.

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CRL.M.C. 5864/2022
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
CRL.M.C. 5864/2022
NAVEEN SAINI & ANR. ..... Petitioners
Through: Mr.D. V. Goyal, Adv.
VERSUS
STATE (NCT OF DELHI )& ORS. ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Digam Singh Dagar, APP for the State with Inspector Bineet Kr.
Pandey, PS Mundka
Date of Decision: 24th August, 2023
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DINESH KUMAR SHARMA
JUDGMENT
DINESH KUMAR SHARMA, J.
(Oral)

1. The present petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr. PC seeking quashing of FIR No 27/2018 registered at PS Munkda, Delhi under Sections 323/324/34 IPC.

2. Briefly stated, a complaint was registered on the complaint of Respondent No.2 namely Shishpal alleging therein that on 12/01/2018 due to some minor misunderstanding, a quarrel took place between the son of the complainant and the sons of Rakesh namely Bablu and Naveen. After complainant came to know about this quarrel and went to the house of Rakesh and explained everything. Thereafter, Rakesh had assured the complainantthat he will pacify the matter. On 17/1/2018 about 8.00 P.M., Naresh along with the complainant’s son were returning from Sai Mandir, Tikri Kalan. Naresh left the son of the complainant in front of Bhagat Singh Park. While going home, the sonsof Rakesh i.e. Bablu and Naveen reached the spot and started beating the complainant’s son. When the wife and brother of the complainant got to know about this they reached the spot, but the abovesaid persons began quarreling and beating them too.The wife of the complainant received injuries on her left hand and in the quarrel the wife of the complainant hadlost her gold chain and earrings. His brother had also received injuries and his ring was also stolen by the accused persons. Thereafter, the present FIR was registered. The chargesheet, in this case, has already been filed and the matter is pending before the Learned Trial Court,Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that both parties have amicably resolved all their disputes with the help and intervention of well-wishers and common friends. The parties have reached a memorandum of understanding dated 28.10.2022 on the following terms and conditions: “1. That the compromise deed came between the parties with some respectable people and elders of the society.

2. That the second party had already paid a sum of Rs. 1,50,000/- to the first parties in the presence of the elders of the society and family members.

3. That the first party has undertakes to that they not file the case/complaint/ suit against the second party in future.

4. That both the parties have compromised with each other without any pressure, coercion and on their own free will.

5. That the first parties undertake to give their statement in the concerned Court / Hon’ble High Court at the time of quashing of above said FIR bearing no. 27/2018, U/s 323/324/34 IPC P.S. Mundka, Delhi.

6. That after compromise both the parties shall not interfere in the life of each other in future and no party shall file any complaint and case etc. against each other before any competent court of law and any other authority in respect of the any issue.”

3. Petitioners Naveen Saini and Bablu Saini are present in Court in person. The complainants are also present in person. All the parties have duly been identified by I.O.Further. Complainants submit that they have entered the settlement voluntarily without any fear, force or coercion, and in view of the settlement agreement, theyhave no objection if the case FIR No 27/2018 registered at PS Munkda, Delhi under Sections 323/324/34 IPCand all proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed.

4. Learned Addl. P.P. for the State submits that as per the Investigating Officer, there is no other dispute between the parties.

5. The Apex Court in Narinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2014) 6 SCC, has recognized the need for amicable resolution of disputes and inter-alia held as under:

"29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay
down the following principles by which the High Court would
be guided in giving adequate treatment to the settlement
between the parties and exercising its power under Section 482
6,638 characters total
of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the
proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction
to continue with the criminal proceedings: 29.1 Power
conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished
from the power which lies in the Court to compound the
offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under
Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to
quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are
not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter
between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised
sparingly and with caution. 29.2. When the parties have
reached the settlement and on that basis petition for quashing
the criminal proceedings is filed, the guiding factor in such
cases would be to secure:
(i) ends of justice, or
(ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court. While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives. 29.3. Such a power is not to be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, for the offences alleged to have been committed under special statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity are not to be

quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender.

29.4. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves."

6. Since the dispute is predominantly private in nature and the parties have settled all the disputes amicably, in the interest of justice it would be better to put a quietus to the dispute. Such disputes are the conflicts between two parties, having lesser overtones for the social order, social harmony, or the society as such. The chances of conviction would also be bleak and remote, given that the parties do not wish to pursue the present complaint on account of the settlement. I do not see any reason to reject the settlement.

7. Taking into account the totality of facts and circumstances,and in view of the spirit and ratio laid down in catena judgments of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the present case FIR No 27/2018 registered at PS Munkda, Delhi under Sections 323/324/34 IPCand all proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed.

8. The present petition stands disposed of.

DINESH KUMAR SHARMA, J AUGUST 24, 2023