Nandhinipriya v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 25-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR CRL OP No. 14109 of 2026 and CRL OP NO. 14974 OF 2026 CRL OP No. 14109 of 2026
1. Nandhinipriya
2. Pasupathi
3. Malliga
4. Amsa
5. Suriyaprakash
6. Sathishkumar
7. Naresh Kumar ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State Rep By:
The Inspector of Police C5, Vengal Police Station, Crime No.312 of 2024.
2. Duraikannu ..Respondent(s) CRL OP No. 14974 of 2026
1. Vasanth
2. Duraikannu
3. Bhavani
4. Sethuraman ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State Rep by.
The Inspector of Police, C-58, Vengal Police Station, Crime No.313 of 2024.
2. Nandhinipriya ..Respondent(s)
CRL OP No. 14109 of 2026 To quash the FIR registered against the petitioners in Crime No.312 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police, for alleged offences under sections 147, 148, 448, 294(4), 341, 323, 506(1) IPC in view of the compromise arrived at between the parties, and pass such further or other orders. CRL OP No. 14974 of 2026 To Quash the FIR registered against petitioners 1 to 4 in Crime No.313 of 2024 on the file of the Respondent Police for alleged offences punishable U/s.294(b),323 and 506(ii) of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and Section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 2002 in view of the compromise arrived at between the parties and pass such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.S.Suriyaprakash For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.Rajasekaran, G.A.(Crl. Side), for R1 Common Order These Criminal Original Petitions have been filed by the petitioners, who have been arrayed as accused in Crime Nos.312 of 2024 and 313 of 2024 on the file of the respondent Police, to quash the criminal proceedings.
2.The case of the prosecution is that on 07.09.2014 Sethuraman s/o Duraikannu married Nandhinipriya and they initially led a happy matrimonial life. Subsequently, matrimonial dispute arose between them. It is alleged that the said Sethuraman and his father assaulted Nandhinipriya and drove her out of the matrimonial home. Thereafter, she lodged a complaint before the All Women Police Station seeking appropriate action and reunion with her husband. In the meantime, Sethuraman instituted a divorce petition in HMOP.No.298 of 2023 before the Family Court. Subsequently, on 24.05.024 both the families allegedly abused each other in filthy language and assaulted one another. Following the said occurrence, both parties lodged complaints against each other. Pursuant to which, separate FIRs came to be registered against each other.
Thus, the matter arises out of a case and counter-case between the parties. 3.The learned counsel for either of the parties submitted that a matrimonial dispute arose between the families of Sethuraman and Nandhinipriya. Subsequently, the said matrimonial dispute has has been amicably resolved. Pursuant to the settlement, a mutual consent divorce petition was filed before the Family Court, Tiruvallur and the marriage was dissolved by decree dated 06.02.2026.
4.The learned Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the first respondent Police submitted that based on the complaint of both parties, FIRs came to be registered. He further submitted that though the parties have entered into a compromise, this Court, taking into account the seriousness of the offence, has to consider as to whether offences of this nature can be quashed on the ground of compromise between parties.
5.Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 6.The criminal cases are still under investigation. In the meanwhile, the parties have amicably settled their matrimonial dispute. The Sethuraman and Nandhinipriya appeared before this Court and were duly identified by their respective counsel. On interaction by this Court, both the parties stated that the dispute has been settled amicably and that they are not willing to pursue the criminal proceedings and therefore, seek to quash the same. 7.The main issue that requires the consideration of this Court is as to whether this Court can quash the criminal proceedings involving noncompoundable offences pending against the parties. The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the case of Parbathbhai Aahir @ Parbathbhai Vs. State of Gujarat, reported in (2017) 9 SCC 641, has given sufficient guidelines that must be taken into consideration by this Court while exercising its jurisdiction under Section
482 of Cr.P.C. (corresponding to Section 528 BNSS), to quash noncompoundable offences. One very important test that has been laid down is that the Court must necessarily examine if the crime in question is purely individual in nature or a crime against the society with overriding public interest. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that offences against the society with overriding public interest even if they get settled between the parties, cannot be quashed by this Court.
8.In the present case, the allegations arise out of a matrimonial dispute between the parties. The parties have voluntarily settled all their disputes, obtained a decree of divorce by mutual consent, and have resolved all ancillary issues. Both the parties also expressed before this Court that they have no objection to the quashing of the criminal proceedings. Therefore, this Court is satisfied that the dispute is purely personal in nature and that continuation of the prosecution would serve no useful purpose. Quashing the proceedings would not affect any overriding public interest.
9.Accordingly, these Criminal Original Petitions stand allowed and the proceedings in Crime Nos. 312 and 313 of 2024 pending on the file of the first respondent, are quashed.
10.The affidavits and the Joint compromise Memos filed by the parties for compromising the offences shall form part of the record. 25-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order PVS To
1. The Inspector of Police C5, Vengal Police Station, Crime Nos.312 & 313 of 2024.
2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras
M.NIRMAL KUMAR J.
PVS CRL OP No. 14109 of 2026 AND CRL OP NO. 14974 OF 2026 25-06-2026