Delhi High Court: Anu Malhotra, J., dismissed the petition in view of the dispute being settled mutually.
The instant petition sought quashing of an FIR registered under Sections 498A/406/34 of the Penal Code, 1860 submitting to the effect that a settlement has since been arrived at between the parties.
State did not oppose the quashing of FIR which was apparently emanated due to a matrimonial discord which has been resolved by the dissolution of the marriage between the parties vide a decree of divorce through mutual consent under Section 13 B (2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
Respondent 2 had stated that she arrived at the settlement with petitioners without any duress, pressure or coercion from any quarter, hence Court considered it appropriate to put a quietus to the litigation between the parties and for the maintenance of peace and harmony between the parties in view of the observations of the Supreme Court decision in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, (2012) 10 SCC 303 and Jitendra Raghuvanshi v. Babita Raghuvanshi, (2013) 4 SCC 58, wherein it was held that:
“… it is the duty of the courts to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes, particularly, when the same are on considerable increase. Even if the offences are non-compoundable, if they relate to matrimonial disputes and the Court is satisfied that the parties have settled the same amicably and without any pressure, we hold that for the purpose of securing ends of justice, Section 320 of the Code would not be a bar to the exercise of power of quashing of FIR, complaint or the subsequent criminal proceedings.
16. There has been an outburst of matrimonial disputes in recent times. They institution of marriage occupies an important place and it has an important role to play in society. Therefore, every effort should be made in the interest of the individuals in order to enable them to settle down in life and live peacefully. If the parties ponder over their defaults and terminate their disputes amicably by mutual agreement instead of fighting it out in a court of law, in order to do complete justice in the matrimonial matters, the courts should be less hesitant in exercising their extraordinary jurisdiction. It is trite to state that the power under Section 482 should be exercised sparingly and with circumspection only when the Court is convinced, on the basis of material on record, that allowing the proceedings to continue would be an abuse of process of court or that the ends of justice require that the proceedings ought to be quashed….”
(emphasis supplied)
Hence, in view of the above, the Court directed for quashing of the FIR and disposed of the petition.[Harish Kumar v. State, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 1635, decided on 04-12-2020]
Advocates who appeared before the Court:
For the petitioners: Naveen Kumar Bansal, Advocate with petitioners in person.
For the Respondents: Sanjeev Sabharwal, APP for State with SI Maninder Maan Piyush Pahuja, Adv for R-2 with R-2 in person.