Manish Kumar Agarwal v. State & Anr.

Delhi High Court · 19 Jul 2019 · 2019:DHC:3490
Sunil Gaur
CRL.M.C. 3444/2019
2019:DHC:3490
criminal appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR under Sections 420 and 406 IPC based on a settlement between parties, applying the inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for offences with a predominant civil element.

Full Text
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CRL.M.C. 3444/2019
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Order: July 19, 2019
CRL.M.C. 3444/2019 & Crl.M.A. 31385/2019
MANISH KUMAR AGARWAL .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kailash Sharma, Mr. Pankaj Sharma & Mr. Mohit Singh, Advocates with petitioner in person.
VERSUS
STATE & ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. M.S.Oberoi, Additional Public Prosecutor for respondent No.1-
State with SI Pankaj Kumar Respondent No.2 in person.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL GAUR O R D E R (ORAL)
Quashing of FIR No. 126/2018, under Sections 420/406 of IPC, registered at Police Station Mangolpuri, New Delhi is sought on the basis of settlement agreement of 9th July, 2019 reached between the parties.
Upon notice, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for respondent
No.1-State submits that respondent No.2, present in the Court, is the complainant/first-informant of FIR in question and he has been identified to be so, by SI Pankaj Kumar on the basis of identity proof produced by him.
2019:DHC:3490 Respondent No.2, present in the Court, submits that the dispute between the parties has been amicably resolved in terms of settlement agreement of 9th July, 2019. Respondent No.2 affirms the contents of his affidavit of 17th July, 2019 supporting this petition and submits that now no dispute with petitioner survives and so, the proceedings arising out of the FIR in question be brought to an end.
Supreme Court in Parbatbhai Aahir @ Parbatbhai Bhimsinhbhai
Vs. State of Gujarat (2017) 9 SCC 641 has reiterated the parameters for exercising inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing of
FIR/criminal proceedings, which are as under:-
“16.7. As distinguished from serious offences, there may be criminal cases which have an overwhelming or predominant element of a civil dispute. They stand on a distinct footing insofar as the exercise of the inherent power to quash is concerned.
16.8. Criminal cases involving offences which arise from commercial, financial, mercantile, partnership or similar transactions with an essentially civil flavour may in appropriate situations fall for quashing where parties have settled the dispute.
16.9. In such a case, the High Court may quash the criminal proceeding if in view of the compromise between the disputants, the possibility of a conviction is remote and the continuation of a criminal proceeding would cause oppression and prejudice.”
In the facts and circumstances of this case, I find that continuance of proceedings arising out of the FIR in question would be an exercise in futility as the subject matter of FIR in question now stands mutually resolved between the parties.
Accordingly, this petition is allowed subject to costs of ₹50,000/- to be deposited by petitioner with Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund within two weeks from today. Upon placing on record the proof of deposit of costs within a week thereafter and handing over its copy to the
Investigating Officer, FIR No. 126/2018, under Sections 420/406 of IPC, registered at Police Station Mangolpuri, New Delhi and the proceedings emanating therefrom shall stand quashed qua petitioner.
This petition and application are accordingly disposed of.
Dasti.
(SUNIL GAUR)
JUDGE
JULY 19, 2019 r
JUDGMENT