Vishal Dass v. State & Anr

Delhi High Court · 20 May 2019 · 2019:DHC:2751
Sunil Gaur
CRL.M.C. 2707/2019
2019:DHC:2751
criminal appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR under the Indian Electricity Act on the basis of an amicable settlement and No Dues Certificate, applying the inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 CrPC as clarified in Parbatbhai Aahir.

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CRL.M.C. 2707/2019
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Order: May 20, 2019
CRL.M.C. 2707/2019 & CRL.M.A. 10815/2019
VISHAL DASS .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Radhika, Advocate.
VERSUS
STATE & ANR .....Respondents
Through: Mr. M.S.Oberoi, Additional Public Prosecutor for respondent-State with SI Rajesh Kumar.
Mr. Sunil Fernandes, Ms. Nupur and Ms. Anju Thomas, Advocates for BSES-Rajdhani Power Ltd.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL GAUR O R D E R (ORAL)
CRL.M.A. 10814/2019 (Exemption)
Allowed subject to all just exceptions.
CRL.M.C. 2707/2019 & CRL.M.A. 10815/2019
Quashing of FIR No.703/2017, under Section 135 of the Indian
Electricity Act, 2003 registered at police station Mehrauli, Delhi is sought on the basis of ‘No Dues Certificate‟ of 16th April, 2019 (Annexure-9) issued by respondent No.2/complainant/first-informant of the FIR in question.
Mr. M.S.Oberoi, learned Additional Public Prosecutor accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State.
2019:DHC:2751 Mr. Sunil Fernandes, Advocate, appears on behalf of respondent
No.2 and submits that the subject matter of this FIR stands amicably resolved between the parties and „No Dues Certificate‟ has been already issued by respondent No.2/complainant/first-informant of the FIR in question 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”.
Since the subject matter of this FIR now stands mutually and amicably settled between parties, therefore, continuance of proceedings arising out of the FIR in question would be an exercise in futility.
Accordingly, FIR No.703/2017, under Section 135 of the Indian
Electricity Act, 2003 registered at police station Mehrauli, Delhi and the proceedings emanating therefrom are hereby quashed qua petitioner.
This petition and application are accordingly disposed of.
(SUNIL GAUR)
JUDGE
MAY 20, 2019 v
JUDGMENT