Criminal proceedings arising from matrimonial disputes, specifically under Section 498A IPC and the Dowry Prohibition Act, can be quashed by the court if the parties have amicably settled their disputes, as continuing such proceedings would be an abuse of the process of the court.

THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.P.C (U/S 528 BNSS) PRAYING TO QUASH THE CC.NO.8569/2021 IN FIR IN CR.NO.74/2016, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE II ADCMM, BENGALURU CITY, FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 498(A) OF IPC, U/S 3 AND 4 OF D.P ACT AGAINST THE PETITIONERS.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM

ORAL ORDER

This petition is filed by the husband of respondent No.2/complainant seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against him for the offence punishable under Section 498A of IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

2. Today, an application is filed under Section 320 read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, accompanied by a joint affidavit sworn to by the petitioner and respondent No.2/complainant. In the said affidavit, respondent No.2 has unequivocally expressed her intention not to prosecute the criminal proceedings any further. Respondent No.2 is present before this Court and, on being specifically queried, submits that the compromise has been arrived at voluntarily, out of her own free will, and without any coercion, undue influence, or compulsion from any quarter. She further states that, in view of the settlement entered into between the parties in Crl. Appeal No.60/2025 pending before the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru Rural, and having received the agreed one-time settlement amount towards permanent alimony, she has resolved all her disputes with the petitioner. Consequently, she has no objection for quashing of the proceedings in C.C. No.8570/2021.

3. This Court, having given anxious consideration to the submissions made and upon perusal of the joint affidavit, is of the considered view that the dispute between the parties is purely matrimonial in nature and does not involve any overriding public interest so as to warrant continuation of the criminal proceedings. The parties have amicably settled their disputes and have chosen to part ways. In such circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings would amount to an abuse of the process of Court and would serve no fruitful purpose. This Court is therefore satisfied that in order to secure the ends of justice, the compromise entered into between the parties deserves to be accepted. Accordingly, the application is taken on record.

4. In the result, the petition is allowed. The entire proceedings in C.C. No.8570/2021 (arising out of Crime No.74/2016 of Varthur Police Station), pending on the file of the II Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru, for the offences punishable under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, stand hereby quashed.