The court established that consensual relationships can lead to quashing of FIRs when a compromise is reached, utilizing inherent powers under Cr.P.C. Section 482.

ORDER

1. In wake of second surge in the COVID-19 cases, abundant caution is being maintained, while hearing the matters in Court, for the safety of all concerned.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner and the complainant respondent No.2 have entered into a compromise and the misunderstanding in their consensual relationship has been resolved.

3. Learned counsel for the parties have referred to the precedent law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in Prashant Bhartiya Vs. State of Delhi & Anr. reported on 2021 Cr.L.R. (SC) 1099, which reads as under:

"Leave granted.

2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and considered the materials on record.

3. Respondent No. 2 had lodged a complaint alleging, inter alia, that the appellant had committed an offence under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, it is undisputed that both the accused (appellant) and respondent No. 2 were living together for a considerable while. The complainant's allegation is that the appellant duped her by misrepresenting to her that he is divorced. The complainant, according to the accused, is not unmarried and her marriage subsists.

4. During pendency of the proceedings, the parties were referred to mediation having regard to the fact that a child was born in the meanwhile (i.e. in the year 2018). As a consequence, a mediated settlement limited to the maintenance and upkeep of the child was arrived at by them.

5. Having regard to these facts and the submissions made on behalf of the complainant-who does not dispute that this may not be an appropriate case for pursuing the prosecution further, this Court is of the considered view that the criminal proceedings must be quashed.

6. In the peculiar circumstances of the present case, the impugned judgment of the High Court is set aside; the FIR (No.616) and all consequent proceedings be quashed. It is, however, made clear that this order will not come in the way or in any manner prejudice the contentions of the parties in any other pending proceedings, which shall be decided in accordance with law.

The appeal is allowed to the above extent.

Pending application, if any stands disposed of."

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has placed reliance on a decision of Supreme Court in case of Gian Singh V/s. State of Punjab & Anr. [(2012) 10 SCC 303].

5. Learned P.P. opposes but submits that the respondent No.2 complainant in person has verified the compromise between the parties before the I.O.

The factual report furnished by learned P.P. is taken on record.

6. Upon perusing the record of the case, it is reflected that the petitioner and the respondent were in a consensual relationship which went bad in the charges in the FIR were levelled.

7. This Court taking into consideration the submissions made by the learned counsel for the respondent No.2 that the consensual relationship between the parties which had become soar and the present proceedings be closed on account of compromise, deems it appropriate in the given facts and circumstances to accept the compromise in question.

8. In view of compromise arrived at between the parties and applying the ratio in decision of Gian Singh Vs. State of Punjab & Anr. (supra) and the precedent law laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in Prashant Bhartiya's case (supra), this Court deems it just and proper to invoke its inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing the impugned FIR.

9. In view of the above, the present misc. petition is allowed and the FIR No.215/2021 registered at Police Station Mandore, District Jodhpur City East for the offence under Section 376(2)(n) of IPC, along with entire proceedings pursuant thereto qua the petitioner are hereby quashed.

10. It is needless to say that the petitioner shall be released accordingly.

Stay petition also stands disposed of accordingly.