Maj Gautam Kumar & ORS v. NCT Of Delhi & ANR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ CRL.M.C. 2025/2017 MAJ GAUTAM KUMAR & ORS ..... Petitioners Through Mr. P.D.P.Deo, Adv.

versus NCT OF DELHI & ANR ..... Respondents Through Mr. Amit Ahlawat, Addl. PP for State.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. K. CHAWLA

O R D E R

% 19.05.2017 CRL. M.A. 8333/2017 (Exemption) Exemption allowed, subject to just exceptions. Application stands disposed of.

CRL.M.C. 2025/2017 By the instant petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C., FIR no. 166/2015 under Sections 406/498A/34 IPC, PS Ashok Vihar, is sought to be quashed. Parties are identified by the IO, present before the Court.

Subject FIR is the outcome of matrimonial disputes, which have come to be resolved during mediation. It is jointly stated that in pursuance of the compromise/settlement arrived at, all the actions/counter-actions amongst the parties stand withdrawn, but for the subsistence of the subject FIR.

Today, before the Court, a banker's cheque drawn in favour of the complainant-respondent no.2

on State Bank of India for a sum of `5 Lacs has come to be handed over by the petitioner no.1 to the respondent no.2 and the respondent no.2 states that with the receipt of the payment made today, all claims of any kind whatsoever against the petitioners, stand fully satisfied. With the compromise/ settlement arrived at, it is not likely that the trial of the offences would bear any fruits. The off-shoot of the FIR is a matrimonial dispute and thereby, a private one. With the compromise/settlement arrived at, not only the respective parties would get an opportunity to have better recourse for their lives, it shall bring peace and harmony in their families. In Criminal Appeal No. 686/2014 titled Narinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Anr., decided on 27th March, 2014, Hon'ble Supreme Court set down the principles for exercise of power under Section 482 Cr.P.C., in the following words :

"31. 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 482 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:

(I) Power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 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.

(II)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. (III) 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 Prevention of Corruption 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.

(IV) On the other, 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. (V) 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. .........................................................................................................."

Keeping in view the ratio of the judgment (supra) and totality of the facts and circumstances, I am satisfied that ends of justice would be met, if, the subject FIR no. 166/2015, PS Ashok Vihar is quashed alongwith the consequential proceedings emanating therefrom. It is ordered accordingly. Petition stands disposed off. A.K.