IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J.
Deepak Lamba & Ors. – Appellants
Versus
State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. – Respondents
Cr.M.C. 6905 of 2022, Cr.M.A. 26768 of 2022 & Cr.M.A. 26769 of 2022
Decided On : 05-04-2023
498A/406/34 IPC - Matrimonial Dispute - B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana, (2003)4 SCC 675; K. Srinivas Rao v. D.A. Deepa, (2013)5 SCC 226; Yashpal Chaudhrani and Others vs. State (Govt. of NCT Delhi) and Another, 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8179
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought quashing of FIR No. 178/2016 registered under sections 498A/406/34 IPC at PS Paschim Vihar, based on an amicable settlement with the respondent, leading to a mutual divorce decree.
Finding of the Court:
The court considered the settlement between the parties, the payment of the settled amount, and the grant of divorce, and concluded that continuing the complaint would serve no useful purpose and may cause prejudice to the petitioners.
Issues: Quashing of FIR under sections 498A/406/34 IPC based on amicable settlement and grant of divorce.
Ratio Decidendi: Cases arising out of matrimonial disputes should be put to quietus if the parties have arrived upon a genuine settlement.
Final Decision: The court quashed the FIR and all criminal proceedings emanating therefrom.
JUDGMENT
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J. (Oral)
1. Present petition has been filed seeking quashing of FIR No. 178/2016 dated 19.03.2016 registered at PS Paschim Vihar under sections 498A/406/34 IPC. The said FIR was lodged at the instance of the respondent No. 2/wife against the petitioners herein.
2. Facts in brief are that the marriage between the petitioner No. 1 and respondent No. 2/complainant was solemnized on 17.12.2012 as per Hindu rights and customs in Delhi. No child was born out of the wedlock. Thereafter, due to temperament differences the parties started residing separately. Consequently, the Respondent No. 2/complainant lodged a complaint with CAW Cell, West Distt, New Delhi, basis which the present F.I.R came to be registered u/s 498A/406/34 IPC at PS Paschim Vihar against the petitioners herein. Chargesheet has been filed and the matter is pending adjudication before the learned MM-02 (Mahila Courts), West District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.
3. It has been submitted that while the proceedings were underway, with the intervention of family members and well-wishers, the parties settled all their disputes and got recorded a joint statement dated 26.08.2022 in HMA 821 of 2016 titled "Deepak Arun Lamba Vs Sonia Lamba" before the learned ADJ, Gurugram Haryana, which is reproduced hereunder:
"...Stated that we have settled out dispute amicably and will file mutual divorce petition within one week from today and Rs. 15,00, 000/- (Fifteen Lakhs Only) will be paid at the time of First motion itself and respondent namely Sonia Bhasin Lamba Will vacate D- 277, Whispering Medows Bunglow, Sushant Lok-I, Gurugram within two days of recording statement of first motion. We will cooperate with each other in settling/withdrawing all criminal and civil litigation pending against each other. "
4. The above statement is reflected in the order dated 26.08.2022 of the learned Addl. Principal Judge, Family Courts, Gurugram, whereby basis the said statement, the matter was adjourned for settlement of the parties and for filing of the divorce petition under section 13B, HMA. Pursuant to the said order, the parties filed a divorce petition to dissolve their marriage by mutual consent and vide order dated 19.11.2022 the learned Principal Judge, Family Courts Gurugram passed the decree of divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties.
5. As per the settlement, the respondent no. 2/complainant has already been paid the entire settled amount of Rs. 15,00,000/- (Rupees Fifteen lacs only) vide DD No. 507582 dated 06.09.2022 drawn on ICICI Bank, Gurgaon in favour of Sonia Bhasin at the time of recording of first motion. The said DD has been also placed on record.
6. Learned counsel submits that since the parties have amicably resolved all the disputes between them, thus no useful purpose will be served by continuing with the present complaint.
7. The parties are present and have been duly identified by the IO. Respondent No.2/wife has stated that she was married to the petitioner No. 1 namely Deepak Lamba on 17.12.2012. She has stated that owing to temperamental differences they started residing separately since March 2016. She has stated that however, now she has amicably settled all the disputes with the petitioners and wants to put a quietus to the same. She has stated that as per the settlement agreement the petitioner No.1 had to pay her a total amount of Rs. 15,00,000/- and the same has been already received by her during the recording of the statements before the concerned court in the divorce proceedings. She has stated that she has amicably settled with the petitioners out of her own free well, without any fear, force or coercion. She states that the marriage has already been dissolved by decree of divorce dated 19.11.2022. She has stated that she has no more grievance against the petitioners and has no objection if the present FIR and all consequent proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed.
8. I have considered the submissions.
Matrimonial disputes should be put to quietus if the parties have arrived upon a genuine settlement.
Matrimonial disputes should be put to quietus if the parties have arrived upon a genuine settlement, and the court should ensure that the settlement is voluntary and without coercion.
The importance of putting a quietus to matrimonial disputes through genuine settlements.
Matrimonial disputes should be put to rest when genuine settlements are reached, as emphasized in previous judgments.
In matrimonial matters, genuine settlements should be respected, and cases arising from such disputes should be put to rest if the parties have arrived at a genuine settlement.
Matrimonial disputes should be put to rest if the parties have arrived at a genuine settlement and obtained a divorce by mutual consent.
Cases arising out of matrimonial differences should be put to quietus if the parties have arrived upon a genuine settlement, as held in B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana, K. Srinivas Rao v. D.A. Deepa, ....
The central legal point established in the judgment is the significance of amicable settlements in matrimonial disputes and the court's inherent powers under Section 482 of the Code to quash non-comp....
The central legal point established in the judgment is the significance of genuine settlements in matrimonial disputes and the court's discretion to quash legal proceedings based on such settlements.
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