Sheetal Singh & ORS. v. The State Govt. Of NCT Of Delhi & ANR.

$~63 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 2610/2025 and Crl.M.A. Nos. 24676-77/2025 SHEETAL SINGH & ORS.

.....Petitioners Through:

Ms.Rakhi Rajput, Mr. Lalit Kumar, Advocates versus THE STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR......Respondents Through:

Mr.Amol Sinha, ASC for State with SI Rahul Mehta, PS Prasad Nagar Mr.Harinder Chaudhary, Advocate for Complainant.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN MONGA

O R D E R

% 21.08.2025 Crl.M.A. No. 24676/2025 (Exemption) Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

The application stands disposed of.

W.P.(Crl.) 2610/2025 and Crl.M.A. No. 24677/2025 1.

The petitioners vide the present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks the quashing of FIR No. 271/2025 under Sections 318(4)/3(5) of the IPC registered at police Station Prasad Nagar and alongwith all consequential criminal proceedings emanating therefrom, on the basis of a comprise between parties.

2. Complaint/FIR is that, the complainant, after being called by petitioner Rakesh Kumar to Karol Bagh for selling 1 kg gold, was lured to an office where fake DRI officers pretended to have staged a raid. They took away his gold and other belongings and fled. The complainant alleged that Rakesh Kumar, Kannu, and others cheated him by laying a trap. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

2.

In the aforesaid backdrop, I have heard learned counsel for the Petitioners and Respondent No.2 as well as perused the material available on record.

3.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there was a civil dispute between the parties which was given criminal color and, in any case, they have now amicably settled the dispute vide MOU/ Settlement Deed dated 31.07.2025 appended as Annexure P-2.

4.

Learned APP for Sate opposes the petition stating serious allegation were leveled earlier by the complainant.

5.

Heard and perused the case file.

6.

The complainant is present in Court. On a query, he unequivocally states that the allegations originally stemmed from a collateral civil dispute and that he did not appreciate the legal consequences at the time of lodging the FIR. He further affirms that, pursuant to the settlement arrived at, he has no desire to pursue the charges against the petitioners, who are his friends, and wishes instead to preserve cordial relations and the bonhomie arising from the settlement.

7.

Upon hearing the parties and examining the nature of the dispute, it is evident that the matter is purely private and personal, arising out of financial dealings. Even on a plain reading, in light of the afore noted candid statement of the complainant, it is doubtful whether the essential ingredients of the offences invoked under the penal provisions are satisfied. 8.

Even otherwise, although the FIR was registered on 04.07.2025, no investigative steps have been undertaken, and the FIR has remained a mere police record without progress, perhaps for the reason as above. 9.

In the totality of circumstances, and given that the dispute stands The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

amicably resolved, continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose. It would amount to a waste of judicial resources and an abuse of the process of law, particularly when no public interest is involved. On the contrary, persisting with the case would only rekindle hostility between the parties and undermine the very objective of the settlement. 10.

Quashing the FIR would rather facilitate the parties in maintaining or restoring cordiality. Therefore, the proceedings deserve to be quashed in the exercise of the inherent powers of the Court. Reference may be had to the judgement rendered in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr. [(2012) 10 SCC 303] in this context.

11.

Accordingly, exercising the inherent powers vested in this Court under Section 528 of BNSS, it is therefore deemed appropriate to quash the FIR.

12.

Consequently, the instant petition is allowed. FIR No. 271/2025 under Sections 318(4)/3(5) of the IPC registered at police Station Prasad Nagar, Delhi and the criminal proceedings arising there from are hereby quashed. 13.

All pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. ARUN MONGA, J AUGUST 21, 2025/SV The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.