15 July 2025 Writ Petition >> Criminal Law  

The Delhi High Court has quashed FIR No. 154/2025, registered at Police Station Prashant Vihar, Delhi, under Sections 69 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The quashing was based on a compromise reached between the petitioner (accused) and respondent no. 2 (complainant), who had been in a long-term live-in relationship.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by respondent no. 2, alleging misconduct by the petitioner. The parties had been in a relationship for 15 years and living together since January 2019, with the petitioner allegedly promising marriage once his divorce was finalized. The complaint was filed following "misunderstandings and disputes" that arose before the petitioner's second motion for divorce.

During the court proceedings, the complainant stated that she filed the FIR due to misunderstanding and personal medical and emotional challenges at the time. She confirmed their long-standing relationship, stating they lived as husband and wife and were recognized as such in their locality. She expressed her desire not to pursue the case further.

The petitioner's counsel argued that the dispute was private and personal, with no public interest involved, and that continuing the proceedings would be an abuse of legal process, especially since the matter was amicably resolved.

The prosecution opposed the petition, arguing that the FIR involved serious allegations of "forceful physical relations, mental harassment, and exploitation under a false promise of marriage, as well as cheating." They contended that such compromises in cases of alleged sexual exploitation undermine the seriousness of the offense and legal safeguards for women.

The Court's decision acknowledged the complainant's explanation for filing the FIR but emphasized that serious allegations under BNS sections cannot be made "casually or recklessly" due to their grave consequences. However, the Court also noted that compelling an individual to undergo trial when allegations arise from genuine misunderstanding and the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the case would be contrary to justice.

Given that the complainant, a major, affirmed her consensual and long-standing live-in relationship with the petitioner, the Court found merit in quashing the FIR. Nevertheless, to discourage the casual invocation of criminal law, the Court imposed a cost of Rs. 20,000/- on the complainant, to be deposited with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee within four weeks. This cost was levied because she admitted to initiating criminal proceedings based on a misunderstanding despite her voluntary relationship with the petitioner.

Consequently, the FIR and all related proceedings stand quashed.

  Section 69, BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA - 2023  

  Section 351, BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA - 2023  

  BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023