The court can quash non-compoundable offences after considering the nature of the offence and the amicable settlement between the concerned parties, especially in cases arising out of matrimonial differences.

JUDGMENT

Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J. (Oral)

Crl.M.C. 5834/2022

1. The present petitioner has been filed seeking quashing of case FIR No. 5/2019 under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC registered at PS Vijay Vihar.

2. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that Respondent no.2/complainant married petitioner no.1 on 24/12/2017 in accordance with the Hindu Rites and Ceremonies. However, on account of temperamental differences and mental incompatibility, the parties started living separately from March 2018 onwards and instituted multiple litigations against each other and their respective families including the present FIR. No child was born out of wedlock.

3. Learned Counsel further submits that during the pendency of the proceedings, the parties have resolved their disputes amicably, and in furtherance thereof, they have entered into a settlement agreement dated 19/07/2021. As per the settlement it has been agreed between the parties that the petitioner shall pay Rs5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs) in full and final settlement of the entire dispute to respondent no. 2/complainant. Respondent No.2 states that she has already received the entire payment.

4. It has also been stated that pursuant to the settlement, a mutual divorce petition was also filed and a decree of divorce has been granted.

5. Furthermore, the Learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that since the parties have resolved all their differences amicably, therefore, it would be in the interest of justice to quash FIR No. 005/2019 under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC registered at PS Vijay Vihar and all the proceedings emanating therefrom.

6. It is settled that the inherent powers under section 482 of the Code are required to be exercised to secure the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of any court. Further, the High Court can quash non-compoundable offences after considering the nature of the offence and the amicable settlement between the concerned parties. Supreme Court and this Court have repeatedly held that the cases arising out of matrimonial differences should be put to a quietus if the parties have reached an amicable settlement. Reliance may be placed upon: 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 Anr., 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8179.

7. Both parties are present in court and have duly been identified by the IO. Respondent No. 2 submits that she has entered the settlement voluntarily without any fear, force, or coercion. Respondent No. 2submits that the marriage between the parties has been dissolved by a decree of divorce by mutual consent, and she has no objection if FIR No. 005/2019 under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC registered at PS Vijay Viharand all the proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed.

8. I have gone through the settlement deed dated 26.08.2022 which has been placed on record. The settlement agreement provides for the following terms and conditions:

"1. That both the parties shall file a first motion Petition U/s. 13-B(1) HMA before appropriate court of law and accordingly they shall also file second motion within statutory time period.

2. That the aforesaid settlement arrived between the parties for a full and final settlement of Rs.5 lakhs with gold jewellery i.e. one gold chain (11 gm) and an gold ring (7 gm) qua amount for the above noted gold items, in respect of all claims of the first party in lieu of Istridhan, dowry articles, past, present and future maintenance and permanent alimony.

3. That the second party shall pay a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- with gold chain and gold ring qua amount as mentioned above to the first party at the time of recording of joint statements in first motion petition U/s. 13(B)(1),HMA for divorce by mutual consent.

4. That the second party shall pay amount of Rs.1,00,000/- to the first party at the time of quashing of FIR No. 05/19 U/s 498A, 406 IPC.

5. That the second party shall pay remaining