FIR Quashed Following Amicable Settlement in Matrimonial Dispute.
07 July 2025
FIR >> Criminal Law
In Anand Prakash & Others v/s The State Of NCT Of Delhi & Another the Delhi High Court has quashed FIR No. 0630/2022, registered under Sections 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, at P.S. Ghazipur, Delhi.
The FIR was filed by Respondent No. 2 following temperamental differences with her husband (Petitioner No. 1) that led to their separation on May 27, 2022. The couple, married on February 1, 2017, also has a child born on June 2, 2019.
During the ongoing legal proceedings, the parties reached an amicable settlement through a Deed/MOU dated April 24, 2025. As per the settlement terms, Petitioner No. 1 agreed to pay a total of ?25,50,000 to Respondent No. 2. A mutual divorce decree was subsequently granted on May 28, 2025, by the Family Court in Kakardooma, Delhi.
Both parties confirmed their physical presence in court, along with their respective counsels and the Investigating Officer. Respondent No. 2 affirmed that the settlement was reached without any coercion and that she had received the full and final agreed amount. She expressed no objection to the quashing of the FIR against the petitioners. The Additional Public Prosecutor, representing the State, also concurred with the quashing in light of the settlement.
The Court referred to the Supreme Court's decision in Gian Singh vs State of Punjab (2012), which recognizes the importance of amicable dispute resolution and allows High Courts to quash criminal proceedings when continuing them would be unfair, contrary to the interest of justice, or an abuse of the legal process, especially after a settlement between the victim and the wrongdoer.
Given the complete resolution of the dispute between the parties, the High Court concluded that continuing the FIR and any related proceedings would serve no useful purpose. Therefore, in the interest of justice, the petition was allowed, and the FIR, along with all consequential proceedings, was quashed.