Paramjit Singh and Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi and Anr.

1. The present petition has been filed, on behalf of the petitioners, under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking to quash the FIR bearing No. 699/2016 dated 22.11.2016 for offences punishable under Sections 498A/406/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 registered at Police Station Binda Pur, Delhi, (“subject FIR”) and all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that petitioner no. 1 is the husband of the respondent no. 2 and their marriage was solemnized on 09.10.2010, in accordance with the Hindu rites and customs. A male child, namely, Harsimran Singh was born out of the said wedlock on 27.06.2013. He submits that due to the irreconcilable and temperamental differences, the marriage of the petitioner no.1 and the respondent no. 2 has suffered an irretrievable breakdown and the parties have been living separately since 15.03.2016.

3. The learned counsel submits that the incompatible behaviour, conduct and temperament of the parties, coupled with raising demands of dowry and increasing harassment, led to registration of the subject FIR and filing of litigation by the respondent no. 2.

4. He further submits that during the pendency of litigation between the parties, the parties, with the intervention and efforts of the relatives and well wishers, the parties had voluntarily, peacefully and amicably settled their disputes without any coercion, pressure, undue influence force, vide Settlement Deed dated 19.02.2025 and that no further dispute subsists in relation thereto. Moreover, the divorce by way of mutual consent has also taken place between the parties vide the divorce decree dated 15.04.2025 passed by the learned Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, South-West, Dwarka, New Delhi and no appeal is stated to have been filed from the said divorce decree.

5. The present petition is premised on the aforesaid assertion that the dispute inter se the parties stand amicably resolved, of their own volition, uninfluenced by any coercion, compulsion or undue inducement. In furtherance thereof, a Settlement Deed dated 19.02.2025 has been duly executed between the petitioner no. 1 and the respondent No. 2. It is further submitted that, in terms of the said Settlement, the respondent No. 2 has undertaken to withdraw all proceedings presently pending before various judicial fora.

6. As per the terms of Settlement, the petitioner no. 1 has agreed to pay a sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- to the respondent no. 2, as a full and final settlement of all her claims including maintenance (past, present and future), permanent alimony, stridhan and all other miscellaneous expenses. It is further agreed between the parties that the male child Harsimran Singh shall remain in the care and custody of the mother/respondent no. 2 and the father/petitioner no. 1 shall have no visitation rights. The said Settlement Deed dated 19.02.2025 outlining the terms of settlement has been placed on record.

7. Pursuant to the said settlement, the parties appeared before this Court, wherein, the Investigating Officer has duly identified the parties and they have confirmed that they are abiding by all the terms of the Settlement.

8. The complainant/respondent no. 2, who is present-in-person before this Court, upon being queried, confirms that the Settlement Deed dated 19.02.2025 has been entered into between the parties and that in full and final settlement of all her claims including maintenance (past, present and future), stridhan, dowry, articles, jewellery, permanent alimony etc., she has received the entire settlement amount of Rs. 5,00,000/- from the petitioner no. 1. The respondent no. 2 also confirms that the marriage has been dissolved vide the decree dated 15.04.2025 and that no litigation stand pending between the parties. She further confirms that the male child Harsimran Singh shall remain in her care and custody and there shall be no visitation rights to the father/petitioner no. 1. Furthermore, she has no objection if the subject FIR and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashed.

9. In view of the foregoing, the learned counsels of the parties, jointly prayed, for quashing of the subject FIR.

10. The learned APP, appearing on behalf of the State, submits that there is no objection is the subject FIR and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashed.

11. In these circumstances, and having regard to the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab & Anr.: (2012) 10 SCC 303 and Narinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Anr.: (2014) 6 SCC 466, and in view of the fact that the parties have amicably resolved their disputes voluntarily and without any coercion, this Court is of the considered opinion that no useful purpose would be served by continuing with the criminal proceedings. On the contrary, such continuation is likely to foster further animosity between the parties. Accordingly, in the interest of justice, the subject FIR and all proceedings emanating therefrom deserve to be quashed.

12. In conspectus of the above facts and the Settlement Deed dated 19.02.2025, the subject FIR bearing No. 699/2016 dated 22.11.2016 for offences punishable under Sections 498A/406/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 registered at Police Station Binda Pur, Delhi, and all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, are hereby quashed.

13. The present petition along with pending application is, accordingly, disposed of, in the aforesaid terms.