HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD CRIMINAL MISC. WRIT PETITION No. - 2782 of 2026 Arvind Yadav And 6 Others .....Petitioner(s)

Versus State Of U.P. And 3 Others .....Respondent(s)

Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Ashok Kumar Yadav Counsel for Respondent(s) : G.A.

Court No. - 47 HON'BLE RAJEEV MISRA, J.

HON'BLE LAKSHMI KANT SHUKLA, J.

1. Heard Mr. Ashok Kumar Yadav, the learned counsel for petitioners and the learned AGA representing State-respondents 1, 2 and 3.

2. Perused the record.

3. Petitioners Arvind Yadav and 6 others have approached this Court by means of present Criminal Misc. Writ Petition challenging the FIR dated 14.01.2026 lodged by first informant/respondent 4 Smt. Mamta Yadav and registered as Case Crime No. 0019 of 2026, under Sections 85, 115(2), 352, 76 BNS 2023 & Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Police Station Cholapur, District Commissionerate Varanasi.

4. Learned counsel for petitioners submits that the marriage of petitioner 3 Prakash Yadav was solemnized with first informant, respondent 4, Mamta Yadav on 28.06.2020. However the relationship between the parties became strained on account of some marital discord. As such the dispute between the parties is basically a matrimonial dispute which has now been dragged into criminal litigation.

5. On the above premise it is thus contended by learned counsel for petitioner that since the dispute between the parties is basically a matrimonial dispute, therefore, there are every chances that the parties may amicably settling their dispute in case they are referred to mediation. He, therefore, submits that in the interest of justice matter be referred to mediation.

6. Per contra, the learned A.G.A. representing State respondents has no objection to the submission urged by the learned counsel for petitioners.

7. Considering the fact that the dispute between the parties is basically a matrimonial dispute, therefore, we direct the parties to seek mediation before the Mediation and Conciliation Center, High Court Allahabad.

8. Accordingly, petitioner 1 will deposit a sum of Rs. 25000/- with the Mediation and Conciliation Center, High Court Allahabad by way of bank draft drawn in favour of Registrar (A/C), Mediation and Conciliation Center, High Court Allahabad within a period of two weeks' from today. In case, the said deposit is made, the Mediation Center shall issue notice to first informant, respondent 4. In case respondent 4 appears for mediation then a sum of Rs. 20,000/- shall be paid to the respondent no. 4 and the balance shall be utilized towards the cost of mediation. The Mediation and Conciliation Center, High Court Allahabad shall endeavour to conclude the mediation proceedings within a period of three months from today and thereafter submit its report.

9. Notice on behalf of respondents 1, 2, 3 has been accepted by the learned AGA.

10. Issue notice to first informant/respondent 4.

11. Steps for service upon first informant/respondent 4 shall be taken by the learned counsel for petitioner within the period prescribed under the Rules of Court.

12. All the respondents may file their respective counter affidavits within six weeks.

13. Petitioners will have two weeks' thereafter to file their rejoinder affidavits.

14. Put up this writ petition for admission as fresh on 14.05.2026 before appropriate Bench.

15. Considering the facts and circumstances of the facts and also the submissions urged by the learned counsel for petitioners as noted herein above, coupled with the fact that the matter has been referred for Mediation, therefore, as an interim measure, it is hereby provided that till the next date fixed the petitioners shall not be arrested in Case Crime No.

0019 of 2026, under Sections 85, 115(2), 352, 76 BNS 2023 & Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The petitioners shall cooperate in the investigation.

16. However, in case the petitioners fail to deposit the aforesaid amount with the Mediation Center within the time period mentioned above, this interim order shall