Abhishek Verma and Others v. State of NCT of Delhi

Delhi High Court · 09 Sep 2025 · 2025:DHC:7864
Ravinder Dudeja
CRL.M.C. 3084/2025
2025:DHC:7864
criminal petition_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR under Section 420 IPC based on an amicable settlement between parties, exercising its inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC to prevent abuse of process.

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CRL.M.C. 3084/2025
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 09.09.2025 ,,,,,,,,,, CRL.M.C. 3084/2025 & CRL.M.A. 13654/2025 (exemption from filing certified copies etc.)
ABHISHEK VERMA AND OTHERS .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Deepak Singh, Adv.
VERSUS
STATE OF NCT OF DELHI … Respondent
Through: Mr. Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, APP for the State
WITH
SI
Arvind, PS Cyber North.
Mr. Vineet Dwivedi, Adv. for R-2.
CORAM:-
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVINDER DUDEJA
JUDGMENT
(ORAL)
RAVINDER DUDEJA, J.

1. This is a petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, seeking quashing of FIR No. 16/2024, dated 17.04.2024, registered at P.S Cyber Police Station North, Delhi under Section 420 IPC and all proceedings emanating therefrom on the basis of settlement between the parties.

2. As per allegations made in the FIR, respondent no. 2 and his wife, during a Manali vacation in May 2023, were coerced by petitioners into a trial package and a 5-year membership agreement without proper disclosure and despite their attempts to cancel, the membership was confirmed, and an unauthorized SBI bank loan of Rs 95,000 was taken in respondent no. 2’s name. FIR No. 16/2024 was lodged at instance of respondent no. 2 under section 420 IPC.

3. During the course of proceedings, the parties amicably resolved their disputes and executed a Compromise Deed dated 10.03.2025. In view of the aforesaid settlement, petitioners have paid the total settlement amount of Rs. 95,000/- (Rupees Ninety Five Thousand only) to respondent no. 2. Copy of the Compromise Deed dated 10.03.2025 has been annexed as Annexure P-2.

4. Both parties have entered their appearance through VC. They have been identified by their respective counsels as well as by the Investigating Officer SI Arvind, from PS Cyber North.

5. Respondent no. 2 confirms that the matter has been amicably settled with the petitioners without any force, fear, coercion and he has received back the entire settlement money and has no objection if the FIR No. 16/2024 is quashed against the petitioners.

6. In view of the settlement between the parties, learned Additional PP appearing for the State, also has no objection if the present FIR No. 16/2024 is quashed.

7. In Gian Singh vs State of Punjab (2012) 10 SCC 303, Hon’ble Supreme Court has recognized the need of amicable resolution of disputes by observing as under:-

"61. In other words, the High Court must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest of justice to continue with the criminal proceedings or continuation of criminal proceedings would tantamount to abuse of process of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim and the wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is appropriate that criminal case is put to an end and if the answer to the above question(s) is in the affirmative, the High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceedings."

8. Further, it is settled that the inherent powers under section 482 of the Code are required to be exercised to secure the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of any court. Further, the High Court can quash non-compoundable offences after considering the nature of the offence and the amicable settlement between the concerned parties. Reliance may be placed upon B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana,

9. In view of the above facts that the parties have amicably resolved their differences out of their own free will and without any coercion. Hence, it would be in the interest of justice, to quash the abovementioned FIR and the proceedings pursuant thereto.

10. The petition is allowed, and the FIR No. 16/2024, dated 17.04.2024, registered at P.S Cyber Police Station North, Delhi under section 420 IPC and all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom is hereby quashed, subject to petitioners depositing cost of Rs. 5000/- each with Delhi High Court Advocates Welfare Trust bearing Account No. 15530210002995, maintained with UCO Bank (IFSC No. UCBA0001553) within a period of one month.

11. Petition is allowed and disposed of accordingly.

12. Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.