$~72 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CRL.M.C. 1310/2026 & CRL.M.A.No. 5287/2026 ANKUR KUMAR AND ORS .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Nityanand Singh, Mr. Durgesh Singh, Mr. Saurabh Upadhayay, Ms. Yashika and Ms. Aayushi, Advocates versus THE STATE NCT OF DELHI AND ANR .....Respondents Through: Mr. Hitesh Vali, APP for State with SI Krishan Pal Singh, PS Mukherjee Nagar.

Mr. Deepanshu Goswami, Mr. Rohit Sahrawat and Mr. Harsh Sharma, Advocates for R-2.

CORAM:

HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 17.02.2026

1. The petitioners have filed this petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 [“BNSS”] (corresponding to Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 [“CrPC”]) seeking quashing of FIR No. 551/2023 dated 04.06.2023, registered at Police Station Mukherjee Nagar, District North West, Delhi, under Sections 498A/406/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [“IPC”], and all proceedings emanating therefrom, on the ground of settlement.

2. Issue notice. Mr. Hitesh Vali, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, accepts notice on behalf of the State. Mr. Deepanshu Goswami, learned counsel, accepts notice on behalf of respondent No. 2.

3. The petition is taken up for disposal with the consent of learned counsel for the parties.

4. The impugned FIR is registered at the instance of respondent No.

2, who was the wife of petitioner No. 1.

5. The petitioner No. 1 and respondent No. 2 were married on 21.11.2021 as per Hindu rites and ceremonies. Due to matrimonial discord and temperamental differences between the parties, they have been living separately since 14.12.2021. No child was born from the wedlock.

6. Respondent No. 2 lodged a complaint before the Crime Against Women Cell, Rani Bagh, Delhi, on 02.12.2022, alleging cruelty, dowry demands, misappropriation of stridhan, and non-maintenance against her husband, petitioner No. 1, and his family members, which culminated in the present FIR.

7. Upon completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was subsequently filed in July 2024 against all the petitioners. The case [Cr. Case 37484/2024] is at the stage of “Misc.cases/purpose”, and is next listed before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (Mahila Court), District North, Rohini Courts, on 23.07.2026.

8. The parties have since entered into a Settlement Agreement dated 22.05.2025 under the aegis of the Delhi Mediation Centre, Tis Hazari Courts, New Delhi. The settlement contemplates payment of a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- by petitioner No. 1 to respondent No. 2 towards full and final settlement of all her claims, including stridhan, maintenance, and permanent alimony. The parties have further agreed to withdraw/quash all pending proceedings against each other in terms of the settlement and undertake not to initiate any litigation or interfere in each other’s lives in future.

9. The Settlement Deed also contemplated dissolution of the marriage by mutual consent. In pursuance thereof, the marriage between petitioner No. 1 and respondent No. 2 stands dissolved by a decree of divorce by mutual consent passed by the learned Judge, Family Court, Central District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi, on 23.01.2026 in HMA No.

1412/2025.

10. In light of the aforesaid, the parties seek quashing of the impugned FIR.

11. The petitioners are present in Court, and are identified by their learned counsel, as well as by the Investigating Officer [“IO”]. Respondent No. 2 is also present in person, and is identified by Mr.

Goswami and the IO.

12. Learned counsel for the parties confirm that the settlement has been entered into voluntarily and without any coercion or undue pressure.

13. Although the offence under Section 498A of IPC is non- compoundable, the Supreme Court has clearly held that, in certain circumstances, the High Courts, in exercise of their powers under Section 528 of BNSS (corresponding to Section 482 of CrPC), can quash criminal proceedings, even with respect to non-compoundable offences, on the ground that there is a compromise