Panwar, Mr. S.D. Baloni, Ms. Nivedita Panwar, Advocates with v. THE STATE

W.P.(CRL) 1587/2025 Page 1 of 4 $~66 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 1587/2025, CRL.M.A. 14832/2025 & CRL.M.A. 14831/2025 PAWAN KUMAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. S.S. Panwar, Mr. S.D. Baloni, Ms. Nivedita Panwar, Advocates with Petitioner in person versus THE STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Ms. Rupali Bandhopadhya, ASC for the State Mr. D.N Pandey, Advocate for R-2 with Respondent No. 2 in person (through VC) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA O R D E R % 22.05.2025 1. The present petition has been filed seeking quashing of FIR No. 573/2022 dated 16th November, 2022, registered for offences under Sections 498A/406/506/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,1 at P.S. Moti Nagar, as well as all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom. 2. The Petitioner is the husband of Respondent No. 2. The marriage between the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 was solemnised on 21st February, 2019, as per Hindu rites and customs. No child was born from this marriage. However, the parties eventually separated on account of This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 02/07/2025 at 01:07:24 W.P.(CRL) 1587/2025 Page 2 of 4 temperamental differences and marital discord. The marriage has now been dissolved through decree of divorce by mutual consent dated 20th January, 2025 issued by the Family Court, West, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. 3. The present petition is filed on the ground that the matter is amicably settled between the parties on their own free will, without any coercion, pressure or undue influence before the Delhi Mediation Centre, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi and a Settlement Deed dated 19th September, 2024, has been executed by the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2. As per the terms of the settlement, Respondent No. 2 has agreed to withdraw all proceedings pending before various Courts. Pursuant to the settlement, the Petitioner and Respondent No.2 have obtained a decree of divorce by mutual consent through order dated 7th March, 2025 passed by the Court of Principal Judge, Family Courts, West District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. 4. Respondent No. 2 is present through Video Conferencing, duly identified by the IO as well as the counsel. She states that she has no objections to the quashing of the FIR. A certificate to this effect has also been placed on record. 5. On 14th May, 2025, the statement of Respondent No. 2 was recorded before the Joint Registrar wherein she verified that the matter has been amicably settled between the parties and she confirmed receiving a demand draft dated 27th March, 2025 for a sum of INR 4,00,000/- and gave her no objection to the quashing of the FIR. 6. At this juncture, it is imperative to emphasise the Court’s power under Section 482 of CrPC to quash criminal proceedings pursuant to a settlement between the parties. In this regard, the Supreme Court in Narinder Singh & 1 “IPC” This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 02/07/2025 at 01:07:24 W.P.(CRL) 1587/2025 Page 3 of 4 Ors. v. State of Punjab & Anr.,2 has laid down certain guidelines and parameters for the High Courts while accepting settlement and quashing the proceedings: “29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down the following principles by which the High Court would be guided in giving adequate treatment to the settlement between the parties and exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings: 29.1. Power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution. 29.2. When the parties have reached the settlement and on that basis petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is filed, the guiding factor in such cases would be to secure: (i) ends of justice, or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court. While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives. 29.3. Such a power is not to be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, for the offences alleged to have been committed under special statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender. 29.4. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves. 29.5. While exercising its powers, the High Court is to examine as to whether the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal cases would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal cases.” 2 (2014) 6 SCC 466. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 02/07/2025 at 01:07:24 W.P.(CRL) 1587/2025 Page 4 of 4 [Emphasis Supplied] 7. In view of the law discussed above as well as the settlement between the parties, the Court is of the considered opinion that this matter deserves to be given a quietus, as the continuation of the present proceedings would serve no fruitful purpose, but rather only amount to an abuse of the judicial process and impose an unwarranted burden on the State Exchequer. 8. Accordingly, the petition is allowed, FIR No. 573/2022 dated 16th November, 2022, registered for offences under Sections 498A/406/405/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, at P.S. Moti Nagar and the proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed. 9. The parties shall abide by the terms of settlement. 10. Accordingly, the petition is disposed of. Pending applications (if any) are disposed of as infructuous. SANJEEV NARULA, J MAY 22, 2025/ab