Hrushikesh Prakash Lokhande And ORS v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.5840 OF 2025
1. Hrushikesh Prakash Lokhande ]
2. Shubhangi Prakash Lokhande ]
3. Prakash Baburao Lokhande ]
4. Piyush Prakash Lokhande ]
5. Anil Rajaram Mule ] .. Petitioners
Versus
1. The State of Maharashtra, ] Through Vimantal (Airport) Police Station, Pune ]
2. Sayali Hrushikesh Lokhande ] .. Respondents Mr. Mohan N. Devkule, Advocate for the Petitioners. Mrs. M.M. Deshmukh, In-Charge Public Prosecutor with Mr. K.V. Saste, Additional Public Prosecutor for Respondent No.1-State of Maharashtra.
Mrs. Seema S. Dighe, Advocate for Respondent No.2. Ms. Sayali Hrushikesh Lokhande alias Sayali Sunil Khute, the Respondent No.2, is present in the Court.
CORAM : SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR, CJ. & GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.
DATE : 2ND DECEMBER 2025.
PER, GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.
The present Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1972 seeking the following relief: - "(b) Quash and set aside FIR No.273/2023 dated 01/06/2023 registered at Vimantal Police Station, Pune for the offences punishable under sections 498(A), 323 and 506 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and consequent charge-sheet dated 11.08.2023 bearing RCC No.3102 along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom including RCC No.3102/2023 and for that purpose issue necessary orders."
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2.
The marriage between the petitioner no.1 and the respondent no.2 was solemnized on 05th July 2022. Due to a marital discord, differences arose between the parties. An FIR was lodged at the instance of the respondent no.2 bearing C.R. No. 273/2023 at the Vimantal Police Station, Pune City alleging that the she was subjected to cruelty and harassment at the behest of the petitioners. The petitioner no.1 and the respondent no.2 have also filed PF No. 1725/2024 before the learned Family Court at Pune, for grant of divorce by mutual consent. One of the stipulations in the said proceedings is that the respondent no.2 would cooperate in the quashing of the present proceedings. The said proceedings of PF No. 1725/2024 before the learned Family Court at Pune, for grant of divorce by mutual consent is annexed as "Exhibit-B" in the present petition.
3.
The parties have amicably settled their disputes. The respondent no.2 has filed an affidavit-of-consent dated 14th November 2025 which records that the respondent no.2 has no objection to the quashing of the FIR and proceedings arising therefrom in view of the settlement. The said affidavit along with a copy of the Aadhar card of the respondent no.2 is taken on record and shall form part of the present proceedings. The said affidavit also reiterates that the respondent no.2 is under no undue influence or any force by any person for giving her consent to quashing of the present proceedings.
4.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court in "Jitendra Raghuvanshi v. Babita Raghuvanshi" (2013) 4 SCC 58 held that the High Court can invoke its inherent power to quash criminal cases stemming from marital disputes, provided the court is satisfied that an amicable settlement has been reached, which serves the interests 2/3
of justice. In view thereof, Criminal Writ Petition No.5840 of 2025 is allowed in terms of prayer clause (b) only. [ GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J. ] [ CHIEF JUSTICE ] Digitally signed by SNEHA ABHAY DIXIT Date:
2025.12.16 10:11:33 +0530 3/3 SNEHA ABHAY DIXIT