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2023 Supreme(Raj) 1864

IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN AT JAIPUR BENCH
BIRENDRA KUMAR, J.
Ankit Jatav - Petitioner
Versus
State of Rajasthan and ors. - Respondents
S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 3075 of 2023
Decided on : 31-05-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant :Mr. Abhishek B. Sharma, Advocate.
For the Respondents:Mr. Atul Sharma, PP and Mr. Shantanu Gupta, Advocate.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 363, 366, 376, 376(2)(n) - Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 - Sections 5(1)(j)(ii) and 6 - Quashing of FIR - Application for quashing of an FIR registered for offences including kidnapping and sexual assault on a minor where the minor willingly left with the petitioner and subsequently married him - No allegations of forceful abduction were made by the minor, and the couple had a child together. (Paras 2-5)

(B) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 164 - Statement corroborating voluntary departure and consensual relationship was recorded, supporting the quashing of proceedings to prevent abuse of the process of law. (Paras 2 and 5)

Facts of the case:
The FIR alleged that a minor girl left her home with her friend and was suspected to have been induced to do so. However, she testified that she willingly left with the petitioner to marry him, resulting in their union and childbirth. (Paras 2 and 5)

Findings of Court:
The court concluded that the continuation of criminal proceedings would constitute an abuse of process of law, given the circumstances of voluntary consent and marriage. (Paras 5 and 6)

Issues: The main issues revolved around the validity of the FIR in light of the minor's consent and the establishment of a legal marriage. (Paras 5 and 6)

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the absence of forceful abduction and the legal marriage between the petitioner and the minor justified quashing the FIR to prevent misuse of legal provisions. (Paras 5 and 6)

Result: FIR quashed and petition allowed.

Table of Content
1. details of the fir and victim's statement. (Para 1 , 2)
2. precedent case cited for quashing fir. (Para 3 , 4)
3. observations on consent and marriage. (Para 5)
4. fir quashed and proceedings ended. (Para 6 , 7)

ORDER :

Mr. Birendra Kumar, J. - Prayer is for quashing of FIR No.129/2021 registered with Police Station Maangrol, Baran for offence under Section 363 of IPC, however cognizance has been taken under Sections 366 , 376, 376(2)(n) and Section 5 (1)(j)(ii) and Section 6 of The POCSO Act.

2. According to FIR, the minor girl of the informant left house on 11.04.2021 along with her friend, thereafter she did not return. It was suspected that she was induced to go. On 09.03.2022 the statement of the victim was recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C. She stated that she was in love with the petitioner and she left the house along with the petitioner to marry. Thereafter, they married in a temple and thereafter with her consent physical relation between the two was established.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner and the victim were blessed with a child also. In identical facts and circumstances of the case, to protect the matrimonial life, a bench of this Court quashed the FIR to prevent abuse of the process of law.

4. The order passed in Tarun Vaishnav v. State of Rajasthan and Anr. reported in 2022 SCC Online Raj 2237 was challenged in the Hon'ble Supreme Court in SLP (Criminal) No.1890/2023 and Leave to Appeal was refused by order dated 03.03.2023.

5. Considering the fact that the victim had never alleged that she was forcefully kidnapped. No physical relation was with the petitioner when she was a minor. The two have already married and are having a child. In the circumstance, continuance of criminal proceedings would be an abuse of the process of law.

6. Hence, aforesaid FIR and the entire criminal proceedings arising out of the said FIR stands hereby quashed and the instant petition is accordingly allowed.

7. Pending application, if any, stands disposed of.

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