Jitendra Chawla & Ors. v. State & Anr.

1. Exemptions allowed subject to all just exceptions.

2. The application stands disposed of. W.P. (CRL.) 758/2016

1. The present is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 seeking quashing of FIR No. 188/2014 under Sections 406/498A/34 IPC registered at 2016:DHC:2038-DB Police Station- Frash Bajar, Delhi and the proceedings arising therefrom.

2. The facts in brief are that the petitioner no. 1 (husband) and respondent No.2/complainant (wife) were married to each other according to Hindu rites and customs on 11th February, 2012. A boy child namely Parv was born out of the said wedlock and is presently in the care and custody of respondent no.2/complainant (wife) herein. Owing to temperamental and ideological differences between the parties to the marriage, they started living separately since 29th January, 2013. On a complaint instituted by respondent no.2 (wife), the subject FIR was registered against the petitioner no. 1 (husband) and his family members.

3. Counsel for the parties state that with the aid and assistance of Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, the outstanding matrimonial dispute between the parties to the union has been settled amicably by way of a Settlement Agreement dated 3rd July, 2014. The salient terms and conditions of settlement as enshrined in the afore-stated Settlement Agreement are as follows:-

4. In a nutshell, it has been agreed by and between the parties to the union that the respondent no. 2 (wife) shall be paid a sum of Rs. 17.[5] lakhs towards all her claims vis. a vis. permanent alimony, dowry articles, maintenance past, present and future etc. against the petitioners.

5. Counsel for the parties further state that pursuant to the said settlement before the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, a sum of Rs. 12.[5] lakhs has already been received by respondent no.2 (wife). The balance sum of Rs. 5 lakhs has been brought to the Court in the shape of Demand Draft dated 3rd March, 2016 bearing No. 822870 drawn on Kotak Mahindra Bank, Karkardooma, Delhi in favour of respondent no. 2(wife) herein. The latter acknowledges receipt thereof subject to its encashment.

6. In the present case, it is submitted by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties to the union that pursuant to the settlement arrived at between the parties to the union, a decree of divorce by mutual consent dated 9th November, 2015 has already been obtained by the parties from the concerned Family Court, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi.

7. Ms. Bhawna, respondent No.2/complainant (wife), who is present in Court and has been identified by the Investigating Officer i.e. SI Manish Kumar, Police Station- CAW Cell East, Patparganj, Delhi, states that in pursuance to the settlement arrived at between the parties to the union, she is no longer keen to proceed with the subject FIR and the proceedings emanating therefrom.

8. Since the dispute between the parties which arose out of a matrimonial discord between petitioner no. 1 and respondent no. 2 and resulted in the registration of the subject FIR, has been settled amicably before the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre on 3rd July, 2014 without any undue influence, pressure or coercion; as the parties have obtained decree of divorce by mutual consent; and since the settlement between the parties is lawful, no useful purpose will be served by proceeding with the subject FIR and the proceedings arising therefrom.

9. Resultantly, the FIR No. 188/2014 under Sections 406/498A/34 IPC registered at Police Station- Frash Bajar, Delhi and the proceedings arising therefrom are hereby set aside and quashed qua all the petitioners subject to their depositing a sum of Rs. 20,000/- in aggregate with the Victims’ Compensation Fund within a period of two weeks from today. A copy of the receipt thereof shall be provided to the Investigating Officer in the subject FIR.