Court can quash FIRs for non-compoundable offences in matrimonial disputes when both parties settle amicably, ensuring compliance with legal standards and justice.

ORDER

CRL.M.A. 9779/2022 (exemption)

1. Exemption is allowed subject to all just exceptions.

2. The application stands disposed of.

CRL.M.C. 2312/2022

3. The instant petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter "Cr.P.C.") has been filed by the petitioners praying for quashing of FIR bearing No. 34/2018 registered at Police Station Shakarpur, Delhi for offences punishable under Sections 406/498A/354B/506/313/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter "IPC").

4. Notice. Mr. Panna Lal Sharma, learned APP accepts notice on behalf of the State.

5. All the petitioners are present before this Court and have been identified by their counsel Mr. Bikran Chand Sharma, and Investigating Officer (IO) ASI R.P. Singh from Police Station Laxmi Nagar.

6. On a query made by this Court, respondent no.2 who has been identified by the IO, has categorically stated that she has entered into compromise out of her own free will and without any pressure, coercion or threat. It is also stated by respondent No.2 that the entire dispute has been amicably settled between the parties.

7. The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner no.1 and respondent no.2 got married to each other on 11.02.2006 at Delhi according to Hindu rites and ceremonies.

8. That soon after the marriage, the parties residing separately since 10.02.2017, thereafter, the respondent No.2 filed a complaint which was subsequently registered into FIR No. 34/2018 dated 17.01.2018 U/s 406/498A/354B/506/313/34 IPC, P.S. Shakarpur, Delhi. As per order dated 23.07.2019 of this Court, parties have settled all disputes. As per settlement, petitioner had agreed to pay a sum of Rs.52,00,000/- to the respondent No.2 for grant of motion of divorce as full and final settlement.

9. The petitioner no. 1 had paid a sum of Rs.39,00,000/- in three installments in the following manner:

a. First installment of Rs.13 Lakhs deposited with the Registrar General, Delhi High Court and released to Respondent no. 2.

b. Second installment of Rs.13 Lakhs paid to Respondent no. 2 in the first motion petition.

c. Third installment of Rs.13 lakhs paid to Respondent no. 2 in the second motion petition.

d. Fourth/Final installment to be paid to Respondent no. 2 at the time of recording her statement for quashing of the FIR before the Hon'ble High Court at New Delhi.

10. As per order passed by this Court on 23.7.2019, the parties have settled all their grievances amicably, hence the respondent no.2 does not want to continue the proceeding emanating from the FIR 34/2018 U/s 406/498A/354B/506/313/34 IPC, P.S. Shakarpur, Delhi against the petitioners.

11. Today, the complainant is present in person who, states that she has received the last and final instalment of Rs.13 Lakhs today and has no objection if the FIR is quashed by this Court. It is prayed that the instant FIR be quashed on the basis of the order passed by this Court on 23.07.2019 between petitioner no.1 and respondent no.2.

12. Heard, learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

13. The instant criminal proceedings in respect of non-compoundable offences are private in nature and do not have a serious impact on the society especially when there is a settlement/compromise between victim and accused. In such cases, it is settled law that High Court is also required to consider the conduct and antecedents of the accused in order to ascertain that the settlement has been entered into by victim's own free will and has not been imposed upon him/her by the petitioner no. 1 or any person related to him. In the present case, the respondent no.2 is present in Court and has categorically stated that she has entered into compromise and settled the entire disputes amicably with petitioner no.1 and his family members by her own free will without any pressure or coercion. There is also no allegation from respondent no.2 that the conduct and antecedents of petitioners have been b