$~8 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CRL.M.C. 4787/2014 PRAKASH DHINGRA Petitioner Through Mr. [ENTITY], Advocate with petitioner. versus STATE ( GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI) & ANR Respondents Through Ms. [ENTITY], Additional Public Prosecutor. W/SI [ENTITY], P.S. Sarai Rohilla. Mr. [ENTITY], Advocate with R 2/ complainant. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE [ENTITY] % [ENTITY], J. (ORAL)
1. This petition under [SECTION] [ACT] seeks quashing of FIR No.293/2013 under [SECTION], [SECTION], [SECTION] [ACT] at police station Sarai Rohilla, on 09.07.2013, on the ground that the matter has been settled between the parties.
2. Issue notice.
3. Ms. [ENTITY], Additional Public Prosecutor for the State and Mr. [ENTITY], Advocate for respondent No.2, enter appearance and accept notice. Respondent No.2, who is present in person, is also identified by the Investigating Officer, W/Sub Inspector [ENTITY].
4. The aforesaid FIR is stated to have been lodged by respondent No.2/complainant consequent upon certain matrimonial and domestic disputes that arose between the parties pursuant to her marriage with petitioner No.1, [ENTITY], on 05.09.2003. At the same time, the first petitioner had also filed a petition seeking divorce from the complainant, being [CASE NUMBER] under [SECTION] of the [ACT].
5. Thereafter, in a bail application moved by the first petitioner in connection with the aforesaid FIR, the parties were referred to mediation by the court below, and ultimately, on 07.11.2013, they arrived at a settlement at the Mediation Centre, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. A copy of the settlement recorded between the parties has also been annexed to this petition.
6. In terms of the settlement, the first petitioner and the complainant had agreed to seek dissolution of their marriage by a decree of divorce by mutual consent while, at the same time, the complainant would be paid a total sum of Rs.3.5 lakhs in full and final settlement of all her claims and dues from the petitioners. The first petitioner had also agreed to withdraw his pending divorce petition, being [CASE NUMBER] before the Family Court.
7. Thereafter the marriage between the complainant and the first petitioner was dissolved by a decree of divorce by mutual consent under [SECTION] of the [ACT] on 22.08.2014 in [CASE NUMBER].
8. It is further stated that out of the agreed amount of Rs.3.5 lakhs, a sum of Rs.2 lakhs have already been paid to the complainant; and the remaining amount of Rs.1.5 lakhs has been handed over to her today in Court by way of a Banker's Cheque bearing No.527950, drawn on Andhra Bank dated 13.10.2014.
9. The complainant approbates the aforesaid settlement and states that with the receipt of this amount of Rs.1.5 lakhs in Court today, she has received the entire sum of Rs.3.5 lakhs as envisaged in the settlement; and that nothing further is due to her from the petitioner. She further states that she is now no longer interested in pursuing the matter, and that the same be closed.
10. Counsel for the State submits that looking to the overall circumstances where the parties have settled the matter on mutually acceptable terms, and have obtained a divorce by mutual consent; and the complainant is no longer interested in pursuing the matter; no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the same.
11. Under the circumstances, and looking to the decisions of the Supreme Court in [PRECEDENT], which has referred to a number of matters for the proposition that even a non- compoundable offence can also be quashed on the basis of a settlement between the offender and the victim, if the circumstances so warrant; by observing as under:
"58. However, certain offences which overwhelmingly and predominantly bear civil flavour having arisen out of civil, mercantile, commercial, financial, partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising out of matrimony, particularly relating to dowry, etc. or the family dispute, where the wrong is basically to the victim and the offender and the victim have settled all disputes between them amicably, irrespective of the fact that such offences have not been made compoundable, the High Court may within the framework of its inherent power, quash the criminal proceeding or criminal complaint or FIR if it is satisfied that on the face of such settlement, there is hardly any likelihood of the offender being convicted and by not quashing the criminal proceedings, justice shall be casualty and ends of justice shall be defeated."
And also in Narinder Singh and Ors. v. State of Punjab and Anr.
2014(2) Crimes 67 (SC) where the Supreme Court held as follows:-
"29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down the following principles by which the High Court would be guided in giving adequate treatment to the settlement between the parties and exercising its power under [SECTION] of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings:
29.1 Power conferred under [SECTION] of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under [SECTION] of the Code. No doubt, under [SECTION] of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution.
29.2 When the parties have reached the settlement and on that basis petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is filed, the guiding factor in such cases would be to secure:
(i) ends of justice, or
(ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any Court.
While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives.
29.3 Such a power is not be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, for offences alleged to have been committed under special statute like the [ACT] or the offences committed by Public Servants while working in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender.
29.4 On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and pre-dominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.
29.5 While exercising its powers, the High Court is to examine as to whether the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal cases would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal cases.
29.6 Offences under [SECTION] [ACT] would fall in the category of heinous and serious offences and therefore is to be generally treated as crime against the society and not against the individual alone. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely because there is a mention of [SECTION] [ACT] in the FIR or the charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the High Court to examine as to whether incorporation of [SECTION] [ACT] is there for the sake of it or the prosecution has collected sufficient evidence, which if proved, would lead to proving the charge under [SECTION] [ACT]. For this purpose, it would be open to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether such injury is inflicted on the vital/delegate parts of the body, nature of weapons used etc. Medical report in respect of injuries suffered by the victim can generally be the guiding factor. On the basis of this prima facie analysis, the High Court can examine as to whether there is a strong possibility of conviction or the chances of conviction are remote and bleak. In the former case it can refuse to accept the settlement and quash the criminal proceedings whereas in the later case it would be permissible for the High Court to accept the plea compounding the offence based on complete settlement between the parties. At this stage, the Court can also be swayed by the fact that the settlement between the parties is going to result in harmony between them which may improve their future relationship.
29.7 While deciding whether to exercise its power under [SECTION] of the Code or not, timings of settlement play a crucial role. Those cases where the settlement is arrived at immediately after the alleged commission of offence and the matter is still under investigation, the High Court may be liberal in accepting the settlement to quash the criminal proceedings/investigation. It is because of the reason that at this stage the investigation is still on and even the charge sheet has not been filed. Likewise, those cases where the charge is framed but the evidence is yet to start or the evidence is still at infancy stage, the High Court can show benevolence in exercising its powers favourably, but after prima facie assessment of the circumstances/material mentioned above. On the other hand, where the prosecution evidence is almost complete or after the conclusion of the evidence the matter is at the stage of argument, normally the High Court should refrain from exercising its power under [SECTION] of the Code, as in such cases the trial court would be in a position to decide the case finally on merits and to come a conclusion as to whether the offence under [SECTION] [ACT] is committed or not. Similarly, in those cases where the conviction is already recorded by the trial court and the matter is at the appellate stage before the High Court, mere compromise between the parties would not be a ground to accept the same resulting in acquittal of the offender who has already been convicted by the trial court. Here charge is proved under [SECTION] [ACT] and conviction is already recorded of a heinous crime and, therefore, there is no question of sparing a convict found guilty of such a crime."
And specifically in respect of matrimonial disputes in [PRECEDENT], where the Supreme Court held as follows:-
"15. In our view, it is the duty of the courts to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes, particularly, when the same are on considerable increase. Even if the offences are non-compoundable, if they relate to matrimonial disputes and the Court is satisfied that the parties have settled the same amicably and without any pressure, we hold that for the purpose of securing ends of justice, [SECTION] of the Code would not be a bar to the exercise of power of quashing of FIR, complaint or the subsequent criminal proceedings.
16. There has been an outburst of matrimonial disputes in recent times. They institution of marriage occupies an important place and it has an important role to play in the society. Therefore, every effort should be made in the interest of the individuals in order to enable them to settle down in life and live peacefully. If the parties ponder over their defaults and terminate their disputes amicably by mutual agreement instead of fighting it out in a court of law, in order to do complete justice in the matrimonial matters, the courts should be less hesitant in exercising their extraordinary jurisdiction. It is trite to state that the power under [SECTION] should be exercised sparingly and with circumspection only when the Court is convinced, on the basis of material on record, that allowing the proceedings to continue would be an abuse of process of court or that the ends of justice require that the proceedings ought to be quashed "
I am of the considered opinion that the matter deserves to be given a quietus at this stage itself since the parties have settled the matter, which arose largely out of a matrimonial and domestic dispute, on terms, and have obtained a divorce by mutual consent; and the complainant is no longer interested in supporting the prosecution, thereby diminishing the chances of its success.
12. Consequently, the petition is allowed, and FIR No.293/2013 under [SECTION], [SECTION], [SECTION] [ACT] at police station Sarai Rohila, and all proceedings emanating therefrom, are hereby quashed.
13. The petition stands disposed off.
[ENTITY], J DECEMBER 16, 2014 dr