The Court may quash FIRs involving serious charges if no material supports the allegations and the parties consent to settlement, especially before trial commencement.

ORDER :

1. Heard finally.

2. This petition has been filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking quashment of the FIR lodged at Crime No. 424/2023 dated 7-10-2023, registered at Police Station M.G. Road, Indore under sections 376(2)(f), 328, 384 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and section 5/6 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

3. This petition has been filed on the ground that there was some misunderstanding between the petitioners and the victim, which has led to filing of the FIR and even according to the FIR, the incident took place in the year 2014-2015, and she was also subjected to abortion many a time, according to the FIR.

4. Senior counsel for the petitioners has submitted that there is absolutely nothing on record to suggest that the victim ever underwent any abortion. It is also submitted that there was some monetary dispute between the parties regarding which, two cheques of Rs. 5 lakhs each were also issued by the prosecutrix to the petitioner No. 1 on 3-9-2023 and 8-9-2023, and as both these cheques were dishonoured, when the victim came to know about it, she has lodged the FIR on 17-10-2023 alleging rape and blackmail since 2014-2015. Counsel has submitted that presently, even the charge-sheet has not been filed and the case has not progressed at all and in such circumstances, when the victim prosecutrix is also willing to settle the matter, the application can be allowed. Her no objection and reply are also placed on record.

5. In support of his submissions, Senior counsel for the petitioners has also relied upon decisions rendered by the Supreme Court in the case of Kapil Gupta vs. State of NCT of Delhi and Another, 2022 SCC Online SC 1030, as also the decision rendered by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in M. Cr. C. No. 12512/2018 dated 6-12-2018, Anil Jatav vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and Another.

6. The victim is also present in the Court and when a query was made to her by this Court, she has stated that she has no objection, but she has also stated that the petitioners shall give it in writing that they would not take any action against her and would not claim the amount of Rs. 10 lakhs, which is mentioned in the cheque.

6.1. In rebuttal, Shri Vyas has submitted that the petitioners give an undertaking that they would not proceed against the prosecutrix or her family members in respect of the aforesaid cheques.

7. Counsel appearing for the respondent No. 2/victim has also submitted that since both the parties belong to the same family, the petition may be allowed.

8. Counsel for the respondent/State, on the other hand, has opposed the prayer.

9. Heard. So far quashing of the FIR in the case involving section 376 of IPC is concerned, it has been held by the Supreme Court in the case of Kapil Gupta (supra) has held as under:

“13. It can thus be seen that this Court has clearly held that though the Court should be slow in quashing the proceedings wherein heinous and serious offences are involved, the High Court is not foreclosed from examining as to whether there exists material for incorporation of such an offence or as to whether there is sufficient evidence which if proved would lead to proving the charge for the offence charged with. The Court has also to take into consideration as to whether the settlement between the parties is going to result into harmony between them which may improve their mutual relationship.

14. The Court has further held that it is also relevant to consider as to what is stage of the proceedings. It has been observed that if an application is made at a belated stage wherein the evidence has been led and the matter is at the stage of arguments or judgment, the Court should be slow to exercise the power to quash the proceedings. However, if such an application is made at an initial stage before commencement of trial, the said factor will weigh with the court in exercising its power.

15. The facts and circumstances as stated he