Ravi Kumar & Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi and Anr.

Delhi High Court · 30 May 2025 · 2025:DHC:4722
Ravinder Dudeja
CRL.M.C. 3606/2025
2025:DHC:4722
criminal petition_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR under sections 498A, 406, and 34 IPC based on a genuine settlement and mutual consent divorce, holding that continuing criminal proceedings would be an abuse of process.

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CRL.M.C. 3606/2025
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 30.05.2025 ,,,,,,,,,, CRL.M.C. 3606/2025 & CRL. M.A. 15884/2025
RAVI KUMAR & ORS. .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Amit Kumar, Mr. Ashish Sharma and Ms. Rashmi Rani, Advs along
WITH
petitioners no.1-5 in person
VERSUS
STATE NCT OF DELHI AND ANR. … Respondents
Through: Mr. Hitesh Vali, APP for the State
WITH
ASI Devender
Kumar, PS-Sunlight Colony.
Mr. Naveen Arya, Adv. for R2 along
WITH
R2 through VC.
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, 2023, seeking quashing of FIR No. 0513/2022, dated 26.10.2022, registered at P.S Sunlight Colony under sections 498A/406/34 IPC and all proceedings emanating therefrom on the basis of settlement between the parties.

2. The marriage between Petitioner No.1 and Respondent No.2 was solemnized on 03.02.2017 as per Hindu rites and ceremonies at Delhi. One girl child namely Prasanta was born on 27.11.2018 out of the said wedlock. It is submitted that due to temperamental differences, the couple started living separately since 13.07.2019. Thereafter, Respondent No.2 filed the following cases against the petitioners: i. Divorce petition under section 13 (1)(ia) of HMA bearing NO. 5/2022 ii. Execution petition bearing No. 305/2024 iii. Complaint under section 12 of the DV Act iv. FIR No. 0513/2022 under sections 498A/406/34 IPC The charge sheet was filed under sections 498A/406/34 IPC.

3. During the proceedings, the parties have amicably resolved their disputes and executed a Compromise/Settlement Deed dated 12.02.2025. In pursuance of the Settlement, the parties jointly filed a fresh petition for divorce by mutual consent under Section 13B(1) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The learned Family Court, Saket Courts allowed the mutual divorce petition on 20.09.2024, thereby dissolving the marriage between the Petitioner No.1 and Respondent No.2. It is submitted that all the previous complaints and litigations initiated by the parties have been withdrawn and all conditions of the Settlement Agreement including the payment of the total settlement amount of Rs. 25,75,000/- (Rupees twenty five lacs seventy five thousand) to the Respondent No.2 have been fulfilled as per the schedule mentioned in the Settlement Deed. The copy of Compromise/Settlement Deed dated 12.02.2025 has been placed on record as Annexure C.

4. The matter was placed before the Joint Registrar, who has recorded the statements of both the parties and passed the following orders:- “21.05.2025

1. The present non contentious petition has been filed by the petitioners under Section 528 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for quashing of the FIR NO. 513/2022 Under Sections (498A/406/34 of the Indian Penal Code registered at P.S. SUNLIGHT COLONY on the basis of settlement arrived at between the parties.

2. As per the submissions, the matter between the petitioners and R-2 has been amicably settled.

3. Vide separate statement recorded in this behalf, petitioners stated that dispute between them and R-2 has been amicably settled as per the settlement deed dated 12.02.2025. The settlement has been arrived at between the parties herein without any force, coercion, undue influence and pressure. They have signed the settlement deed with their wish and will. Vide separate statement recorded in this behalf, R-2 stated that dispute between R-2 and petitioners has been amicably settled as per the settlement deed dated 12.02.2025. The settlement has been arrived at between the parties herein without any force, coercion, undue influence and pressure. The settlement deed has been signed with wish and will.

4. Investigating Officer is present in Court and has duly verified the identity of both the parties. Separate statement of Investigating Officer has also been recorded.

5. The parties along with their counsels have confirmed that the settlement deed has been duly entered into between them.

6. Learned counsel for State/APP enters appearance and accepts notice. He submits that in view of the statement recorded, let the matter be placed before the Hon'ble Court.

7. The compromise/settlement deed is in writing and has been duly signed by both the parties. I have heard both the parties and from the direct dialogue with both the parties, it is observed that the consent of both the parties is found to be genuine and has not been obtained under undue influence or pressure.

8. In view of the above, matter be placed before the Hon'ble Court on 30.05.2025.

5. Petitioners no.1 to 5 are physically present before the Court while Respondent no.2 has entered their appearance through VC. They have been identified by their respective counsels as well as by the Investigating Officer ASI Devender Kumar from PS Sunlight Colony.

6. Respondent No.2 confirms that the matter has been settled with the petitioners without any force, fear, coercion and she has received the total settlement amount of Rs. 25,75,000/- (Rupees twenty five lacs seventy five thousand) from the Petitioner No.1 as per the schedule mentioned in the Compromise/Settlement Deed dated 12.02.2025. She further submits that she has no objection if the FIR No. 0513/2022 is quashed against the petitioners.

7. In view of the settlement between the parties, learned Additional PP appearing for the State, also has no objection if the present FIR No. 0513/2022 along with charge sheet is quashed.

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8. 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."

9. In view of the aforesaid circumstances and the fact that parties have put a quietus to the dispute, no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the present FIR No. 0513/2022, dated 26.10.2022, registered at P.S Sunlight Colony under sections 498A/406/34 IPC along with charge sheet and all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom.

10. In the interest of justice, the petition is allowed, and FIR NO. 0513/2022, dated 26.10.2022, registered at P.S Sunlight Colony under sections 498A/406/34 IPC along with charge sheet and all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom is hereby quashed.

11. Petition is allowed and disposed of accordingly.

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

RAVINDER DUDEJA, J MAY 30, 2025