Mr. Satyendra Kumar, Mr. Jitu, Advocates with v. STATE THE GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI ANR

CRL.M.C. 3516/2025 Page 1 of 5 $~76 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CRL.M.C. 3516/2025, CRL.M.A. 15499/2025 & CRL.M.A. 15500/2025 SH ARUN KUMAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Satyendra Kumar, Mr. Jitu, Advocates with Petitioner in person versus STATE THE GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Hemant Mehla, APP for the State with SI Krishan, SI Mahipal, PS Palam Village CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA O R D E R % 16.09.2025 1. The present petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 20231 (earlier Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 19732) seeks quashing of FIR No. 309/2021 under Sections 323/354/354B of the Indian Penal Code, 18603, registered at P.S. Palam Village and all proceedings emanating therefrom. 2. Briefly, the case of the Prosecution against the Petitioner arises from a complaint lodged by Respondent No. 2, alleging that on 29th July, 2021, at around 11:00 P.M., the Petitioner had a quarrel with the Complainant’s 1 “BNSS” 2 “Cr.P.C.” 3 “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 25/09/2025 at 12:26:29 CRL.M.C. 3516/2025 Page 2 of 5 husband, and verbally abused him. When the Complainant intervened, the Petitioner allegedly touched her inappropriately and caused her shirt to tear. It is further alleged that the Petitioner physically assaulted the Complainant’s son. Based on her statement, the subject FIR was registered. Upon conclusion of investigation, chargesheet was filed against the Petitioner for the aforenoted offences. 3. The parties state that they are neighbours, and with the intervention of common friends, colleagues and other respectable members of society, have amicably resolved the dispute. Pursuant thereto, the Complainant has decided not to pursue the present FIR against him. Consequently, a Settlement Deed dated 24th April, 2025, has been executed between the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2, a copy whereof has been placed on record and perused by the Court. In order to compensate the Complainant for the inconvenience caused to her, the Petitioner has paid her a sum of INR 50,000/-, which the Complainant has agreed to accept along with the apology tendered by the Petitioner, as a basis for closing the FIR. 4. In view of the settlement, the Complainant, who has appeared before the Court and been identified by her counsel, unequivocally states that in the society, the dispute has been resolved and she does not wish to pursue the present FIR any further. She states that the parties are neighbours and this settlement will bring peace and harmony. She confirms that her decision to settle the matter is voluntary and made without any undue influence or coercion. In light of the amicable resolution between the parties, the Petitioner seeks quashing of the subject FIR and all proceedings arising therefrom. 5. The Court has considered the submissions of the parties. While the 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 25/09/2025 at 12:26:29 CRL.M.C. 3516/2025 Page 3 of 5 offences under Sections 354 and 354 of IPC are non-compoundable, Section 323 of IPC is compoundable in certain cases, with the permission of the Court. It is well settled that in the exercise of its inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC (now Section 528 BNSS), the Court may, in appropriate cases, quash proceedings in respect of non-compoundable offences if the parties have reached a genuine settlement and no overarching public interest is adversely affected. The Supreme Court in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr.4 has held as follows: “11. As discussed above, offence punishable under Section 186/332/353 of the IPC are non-compoundable being of serious nature, however, if the Court feels that continuation of criminal proceedings will be an exercise in futility and justice in this case demands that the dispute between the parties is put to an end and peace is restored, it can order for quashing of the FIR or criminal proceedings as it is the duty of the Court to prevent continuation of unnecessary judicial process. 12. In view of the law discussed above, considering the Settlement arrived at between the parties and the statements of respondent no.1 & 2, I am of the considered opinion that this matter deserves to be given a quietus as continuance of proceedings arising out of the FIR in question would be an an exercise in futility.” [Emphasis Supplied] 6. Further, in Narinder Singh & Ors. v. State of Punjab & Anr.,5 the Supreme Court held as follows: “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 4 (2012) 10 SCC 303 5 (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 25/09/2025 at 12:26:29 CRL.M.C. 3516/2025 Page 4 of 5 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.” [Emphasis Supplied] 7. Although the offence under Sections 354 and 354B of the IPC cannot be treated as strictly ‘in personam’, and touch upon public concerns rather than being confined to individual grievances, the Court must also account for the practical realities of securing a conviction in the present case. The Supreme Court has consistently held that in cases where the complainant has entered into a voluntary and bona fide settlement, and is no longer inclined to support the prosecution, the prospect of securing a conviction becomes exceedingly remote. In such circumstances, continuing the prosecution may 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 25/09/2025 at 12:26:29 CRL.M.C. 3516/2025 Page 5 of 5 not only prove futile, but would also serve no worthwhile public interest. 8. The Complainant in the present case has categorically expressed her unwillingness to pursue the matter further and has confirmed the settlement as voluntary and devoid of any coercion. Given this background, the continuation of criminal proceedings would amount to an empty formality, adding to the burden of the justice system and consuming public resources unnecessarily. Having regard to the totality of circumstances, and in view of the legal principles laid down by the Supreme Court, this Court finds the present case to be an appropriate one for exercise of jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. to secure the ends of justice. 9. However, since the State Machinery was put in motion, the ends of justice will be served if the Petitioner is put to certain cost. 10. In view of the foregoing, the present petition is allowed and FIR No. 309/2021 registered at P.S. Palam Village and all proceedings emanating therefrom are hereby quashed, subject to payment of a total cost of INR 5,000/- by the Petitioner to the Delhi Police Welfare Fund, within a period of four weeks from today. The proof of payment of cost be submitted with the concerned Investigating Officer. 11. The parties shall remain bound by the terms of settlement. 12. Accordingly, the petition is disposed of along with pending application(s). SANJEEV NARULA, J SEPTEMBER 16, 2025/ab