IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J.
Mohd. Javed & Anr. – Appellants
Versus
The State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr. – Respondents
Cr.M.C. 5713 of 2022
Decided On : 02-05-2023
Misunderstanding - Criminal Law - IPC 308/34 - The court quashed the FIR and all proceedings based on a settlement between the parties, voluntary and without coercion.
Fact of the Case:
The petition seeks to quash a case FIR registered under sections 308/34 IPC based on a misunderstanding and minor altercation between the parties. The parties settled all disputes through a Compromise Deed, but the chargesheet was still filed and the matter was pending adjudication.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the injuries sustained were simple in nature, and the parties had settled all disputes voluntarily without coercion. The respondent no longer wished to pursue the complaint and wanted to move on with his life.
Issues: The main issue was whether to quash the FIR and all proceedings based on the settlement between the parties.
Ratio Decidendi: The court considered the voluntary settlement, the nature of injuries, and the lack of desire to pursue the complaint as grounds to quash the FIR and all proceedings.
Final Decision: The court quashed the case FIR and all proceedings based on the settlement between the parties.
JUDGMENT
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J. (Oral)--The present petition has been filed seeking quashing of case FIR No. 673/2014 dated 12.05.2014 registered under sections 308/34 IPC at PS Seemapuri, North-East Delhi. The said FIR was lodged on the complaint of respondent No.2/complainant namely Pappan.
2. As per the FIR it has been alleged that on 11.05.2014 at around 10:00 PM, when the respondent No.2 along with his friend were returning from a nearby tea shop and going back home, the petitioners/accused persons namely Yusuf, Javed and a few others hurled abuses at him and attacked him. It has been alleged that the respondent No.2 along with his friend were talking and laughing which is when the petitioners/accused persons intervened and hurled abuses at them. When the respondent No.2 asked them as to why they were abusing, an altercation took place and the petitioners/accused persons started hitting them. It has been alleged that accused Yusuf picked up a brick and hit the respondent No.2 on the head, further accused Javed also hit the respondent No.2 with something sharp on his head. Thereafter, the police were called, and the respondent No.2 was taken to the hospital.
3. Ld. Counsel submits that the petitioner and the respondent No.2 are neighbours and the present FIR stemmed from a misunderstanding that led to a minor altercation between the parties. Ld. Counsel submits that with the help of well-wishers and family members, the parties amicably settled all their disputes vide Compromise Deed dated 20.05.2014. Subsequently, the parties approached this Court by way of Crl. MC 3192/2015 seeking quashing of the present FIR, on the basis of the compromise deed dated 20.05.2014, whereby this Court vide order dated 07.08.2015 held as under:
"Crl.M.A.11365/2015 (for condonation of delay)
There is delay of 68 days' in re-filing the accompanying petition.
For the reasons stated in the application, it is allowed and the delay is condoned.
The application is accordingly disposed of.
CRL.M.C. 3192/2015
Quashing of FIR No.673/2014, under Sections 308/34 of the IPC, registered at police station Seema Puri, Delhi is sought in this petition on the basis of Settlement/Compromise Deed of 25th July, 2015 and affidavit of respondent No.2.
Notice.
Mr. P.L. Sharma, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State and submits that investigation in this case is in progress and while taking into consideration the aforesaid Settlement/Compromise Deed and affidavit of respondent No.2, his supplementary statement would be recorded and thereafter, final report would be filed within eight weeks.
Let it be so done.
In view of above, this petition is disposed of with liberty to the petitioners to avail of the remedies, as available in the law, if need be."
4. Ld. Counsel submits that subsequently, chargesheet is stated to have been filed and the matter is pending adjudication before the Ld. MM Karkardooma Courts, Delhi. Ld. Counsel submits that cognizance on the chargesheet has been taken and the petitioners have been summoned as an accused. Ld. Counsel submits that the parties are neighbours to each other, and the FIR arose due to misunderstandings. Ld. Counsel submits that the matter has been amicably settled vide settlement deed dated 20.05.2014 on the following terms and conditions:
"Whereas with the intervention of well wishers, friends and relatives, the parties hereto have compromised/settled with each other and now there is no dispute between the parties. The complainant/first party has settled all her disputes with the accused persons/second party.
Whereas the parties hereto have reached to compromise/settlement voluntarily, without any kind of pressure and influence in any manner whatsoever.
Whereas due to effecting the compromise between the parties, the complainant/first party does not want to pursue the case any more in future as all the disputes have been amicably finally settled."
5. It has been submitted that in terms of th
The court can quash criminal proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C. if the parties have voluntarily settled their disputes and continuation of the proceedings would serve no purpose.
The court can quash criminal proceedings if the possibility of conviction is remote and the continuation of the proceedings would cause oppression and prejudice, especially in cases with an overwhelm....
The court can quash an FIR based on the amicable settlement of disputes between the parties, especially when the dispute is of a private nature and the parties do not wish to pursue the complaint fur....
Quashing of FIR is permissible where parties have settled their disputes, provided the case does not involve serious offences and the possibility of conviction is remote.
Amicable settlement between parties and the complainant's statement expressing no objection to quashing the FIR can lead to the quashing of criminal proceedings.
The court may quash an FIR when the parties have resolved their disputes amicably, negating any purpose for prosecution.
The court can quash FIRs based on an amicable settlement between the parties, especially when the dispute is of a private nature and the parties express no objection to the quashing.
The court has the power to quash criminal proceedings under section 482 Cr.P.C. when the chances of conviction are bleak and a settlement between the parties would lead to better relations.
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