Quashed

Pankaj Chadha and Ors. v. the State and Anr.

Delhi HC7 May 2024CRL.M.C./3643/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court quashed an FIR registered under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC upon finding that the parties had amicably settled their disputes, obtained a decree of divorce by mutual consent, and the respondent had no objection to the quashing.

What did the court decide?

FIR no. 328/2021 and all consequential proceedings quashed.

What the court decided

Pankaj Chadha and Ors. Vs the State and Anr. — Dowry and Cruelty | Delhi HC (2024)

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$~61

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

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- CRL.M.C. 3643/2024 PANKAJ CHADHA AND ORS. ..... Petitioners

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Through: Mr. Vishal Soni, Advocate

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versus

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THE STATE AND ANR ..... Respondents Through: Mr. Naresh Kumar Chahar, APP for the State along with Mr. Ajay & Mr. Jagdish, Advocates and with SI Hanspreet Singh, P.S. Timarpur. MKr. Dhiraj Madan, Advocate for R- 2 along with R-2.

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CORAM:

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HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA

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% 07.05.2024

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CRL.M.A.13968/2024 (exemption)

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Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

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Application stands disposed of.

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CRL.M.C. 3643/2024

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The instant petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 („Cr.P.C.‟) has been filed on behalf of petitioners seeking quashing of FIR bearing no. 328/2021, registered at Police Station Timar Pur, Delhi for the offences punishable under Sections 498A/406/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 („IPC‟) and all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom.

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Issue notice. Mr. Naresh Kumar Chahar, learned APP accepts notice

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This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 10/05/2024 at 11:39:33

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on behalf of State.

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All petitioners are present before this Court and have been identified by their counsel Mr. Vishal Soni and Investigating Officer (IO) SI Hanspreet Singh from Police Station Timar Pur, Delhi.

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Brief facts of the present case are that the marriage between petitioner no. 1 and respondent no. 2 was solemnized on 18.04.2019 as per Hindu rites and ceremonies. No child was born out of the said wedlock. It is stated that due to disputes and differences which had arisen between the parties, both the parties started living separately from each other since 17.07.2020. On the complaint of respondent no. 2, an FIR bearing no. 328/2021 was registered at Police Station Timar Pur, Delhi against the petitioners for offence punishable under Sections 498A/406/34 of IPC. It is stated that both the parties have amicably and voluntarily settled their disputes vide Settlement Agreement dated 18.08.2023 and have obtained decree of divorce by way of mutual consent.

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On a query made by this Court, respondent no.2 who has been identified by the IO, has categorically stated that she has entered into compromise out of her own free will and without any pressure, coercion or threat. It is also stated by respondent no.2 that the entire dispute has been amicably settled between the parties vide Settlement Agreement dated 18.08.2023. Respondent no. 2 further stated that she has no objection, if the FIR is quashed.

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It is submitted that respondent no.2 has settled all her claims in respect of her dowry articles, stridhan, marriage expenses, jewellery, gift items and claims of past, present and future maintenance and permanent alimony with petitioner no.1 and other family members.

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 10/05/2024 at 11:39:33

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The petitioner no. 1 had paid a sum of Rs.6,60,000/- in three installments in the following manner:

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a. First installment of Rs.1,50,000/- paid to respondent no. 2 in the first motion petition.

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b. Second installment of Rs.2,00,000/- paid to respondent no. 2 at the time of second motion.

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c. Third/Final installment of Rs.3,10,000/- to be paid at the time of quashing of the FIR before the Hon‟ble High Court at New Delhi.

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Today, the complainant who is present in Court states that she has received the last and final installment of Rs.3,10,000/- today, i.e., 07.05.2024 vide DD No. 695436 drawn on Bank of Baroda and has no objection if the FIR is quashed.

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In view of the above fact that the parties have amicably resolved their differences of their own free will, and without any coercion, no useful purpose will be served by continuing the proceedings, rather the same would create further acrimony between them. It would thus be in interest of justice to quash the abovementioned FIR and the proceedings pursuant thereto. There is no legal impediment in quashing the FIR in question.

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Accordingly, FIR bearing no. 328/2021, registered at Police Station Timar Pur, Delhi for the offences punishable under Sections 498A/406/34 of IPC and all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed.

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In view of above, the petition stands disposed of.

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The order be uploaded on the website forthwith.

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SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J

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MAY 7, 2024zp

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Click here to check corrigendum, if any

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Pankaj Chadha and Ors. v. the State and Anr.

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Pankaj Chadha and Ors. v. the State and Anr.

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