Allowed

Narender and Anr. v. State NCT of Delhi and Anr.

Delhi HC15 Oct 2024CRL.M.C./6510/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This order quashes two cross-FIRs involving non-compoundable offences under the IPC arising from a neighbourhood dispute. The Court allowed the petitions based on a Memorandum of Understanding and settlement between parties, citing abuse of process and remote chances of conviction, while imposing a cost of ₹5,000 on each petitioner.

What did the court decide?

FIRs No. 279/2018 and No. 277/2018 along with all consequential proceedings are quashed, subject to the petitioners depositing costs of ₹5,000/- each with the Delhi Police Welfare Society within three

Narender and Anr. Vs State NCT of Delhi and Anr. — Criminal Trial and Appeal | Delhi HC (2024)

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$~18 & 107

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* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

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+ CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 NARENDER AND ANR .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Anil Basoya, Mr. Akash Gahlat, Advs. Petitioner Nos. 1 and 2 in person. versus

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STATE NCT OF DELHI AND ANR .....Respondents Through: Mr. Manoj Pant, APP for the State with SI Sandeep Kumar, PS, Ambedkar Nagar Mr. Anuuj Aggarwal, Mr. Abhishek Gupta, Mr. Vineet Kr. Jain, Advs. for R-2 with R-2 in person.

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107

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+ CRL.M.C. 7972/2024 & CRL.M.A.30422/2024 SH SUNIL KUMAR & ANR. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Anuuj Aggarwal, Mr. Abhishek Gupta, Mr. Vineet Kumar Jain, Advs. Petitioner No. 1 and 2 in person.

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versus

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THE STATE GOVT. OFNCT OF DELHI AND ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Sunil Kumar Gautam, APP for the State with SI Sandeep Kumar, PS, Ambedkar Nagar. Mr. Anil Basoya, Mr. Akash Gahlot, Advs. for R-2 & R3. R2 & R3 in person

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CORAM:

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Page 1 of 8

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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 01/07/2025 at 10:18:37

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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT MAHAJAN

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O R D E R 15.10.2024

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CRL.M.A. 30422/2024 ( exemption from filing certified copies of annexures ) in CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Exemptions allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

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The applications stand disposed of.

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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The present petitions are filed seeking quashing of crossFIRs, being FIR No. 279/2018 for offences punishable under Sections 308/34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘ IPC ’) and FIR No.277/2018 for offence punishable under Sections 324/341/34 of the IPC, both registered at police station Ambedkar Nagar and both dated 07.07.2018, including all consequential proceedings arising therefrom.

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The FIRs were filed on a complaints made by the respective respondents. It is alleged that the parties are neighbours and got into an altercation over parking of car, owing to which the complainant in FIR No. 279/2018 sustained head injury.

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The charge sheets have already been filed in these cases.

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The present petitions are filed on the ground that the matters are amicably settled between the parties by way of the Memorandum of Understanding dated 23.02.2024 (‘MoU’), with the intervention of well-wishers, on their own free will, without any threat, force, coercion, misrepresentation, or influences.

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Pursuant to Memorandum of Understanding dated 23.02.2024, an amount for a sum of ₹1,50,000/- is handed over today by way of Demand Draft bearing No.053775 dated

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024 Page 2 of 8

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14.10.2024 drawn on Axis Bank Ltd. in the name of Sunil Kumar (complainant in CRL.M.C. 6510/2024).

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The parties are present in person in Court today and they have been duly identified by the Investigating Officer. 9. The petitioners unconditionally apologize for their behaviour in the respective cases and undertake not to indulge into any such activity in future. 10. The parties are bound to the said undertaking. 11. The complainants, in the respective cases, on being asked, state that they do not wish to pursue the proceedings arising out of the respective FIRs registered by them, and they have no objection if the proceedings are quashed. They submit that they have no remaining grievance and wish to live their lives peacefully in the future.

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The offence under Section 341 of the IPC is compoundable in nature whereas offences under Sections 324/308 are noncompoundable in nature. 13. It is well settled that the High Court while exercising its powers under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘ BNSS ’) [ erstwhile Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973] can quash offences which are noncompoundable on the ground that there is a compromise between the accused and the complainant. The Hon’ble Apex Court has laid down parameters and guidelines for High Court while accepting settlement and quashing the proceedings. In the case of Narinder Singh & Ors. v. State of Punjab & Anr. : (2014) 6 SCC 466 , the Hon’ble Supreme Court had observed as under :-

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“29. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we sum up and lay down the following principles by which the High Court would be guided in giving adequate treatment to the settlement CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024 Page 3 of 8

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between the parties and exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code while accepting the settlement and quashing the proceedings or refusing to accept the settlement with direction to continue with the criminal proceedings:

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29.1. Power conferred under Section 482 of the Code is to be distinguished from the power which lies in the Court to compound the offences under Section 320 of the Code. No doubt, under Section 482 of the Code, the High Court has inherent power to quash the criminal proceedings even in those cases which are not compoundable, where the parties have settled the matter between themselves. However, this power is to be exercised sparingly and with caution.

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29.2. When the parties have reached the settlement and on that basis petition for quashing the criminal proceedings is filed, the guiding factor in such cases would be to secure:

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(i) ends of justice, or

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(ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court.

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While exercising the power the High Court is to form an opinion on either of the aforesaid two objectives.

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29.3. Such a power is not to be exercised in those prosecutions which involve heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, for the offences alleged to have been committed under special statute like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity are not to be quashed merely on the basis of compromise between the victim and the offender.

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29.4. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Page 4 of 8

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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 01/07/2025 at 10:18:37

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character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.

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29.5. While exercising its powers, the High Court is to examine as to whether the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of criminal cases would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal cases.”

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(emphasis supplied)

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Similarly , in the case of Parbatbhai Aahir & Ors. v. State of Gujarat & Anr. : (2017) 9 SCC 641 , the Hon’ble Supreme Court had observed as under :-

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“16. The broad principles which emerge from the precedents on the subject, may be summarised in the following propositions:

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16.1. Section 482 preserves the inherent powers of the High Court to prevent an abuse of the process of any court or to secure the ends of justice. The provision does not confer new powers. It only recognises and preserves powers which inhere in the High Court.

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16.2. The invocation of the jurisdiction of the High Court to quash a first information report or a criminal proceeding on the ground that a settlement has been arrived at between the offender and the victim is not the same as the invocation of jurisdiction for the purpose of compounding an offence. While compounding an offence, the power of the court is governed by the provisions of Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The power to quash under Section 482 is attracted even if the offence is non-compoundable.

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16.3. In forming an opinion whether a criminal proceeding or complaint should be quashed in exercise of its jurisdiction under Section 482,

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Page 5 of 8

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the High Court must evaluate whether the ends of justice would justify the exercise of the inherent power.

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16.4. While the inherent power of the High Court has a wide ambit and plenitude it has to be exercised (i) to secure the ends of justice, or (ii) to prevent an abuse of the process of any court.

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16.5. The decision as to whether a complaint or first information report should be quashed on the ground that the offender and victim have settled the dispute, revolves ultimately on the facts and circumstances of each case and no exhaustive elaboration of principles can be formulated.

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16.6. In the exercise of the power under Section 482 and while dealing with a plea that the dispute has been settled, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the offence. Heinous and serious offences involving mental depravity or offences such as murder, rape and dacoity cannot appropriately be quashed though the victim or the family of the victim have settled the dispute. Such offences are, truly speaking, not private in nature but have a serious impact upon society. The decision to continue with the trial in such cases is founded on the overriding element of public interest in punishing persons for serious offences.

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16.7. As distinguished from serious offences, there may be criminal cases which have an overwhelming or predominant element of a civil dispute. They stand on a distinct footing insofar as the exercise of the inherent power to quash is concerned.

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16.8. Criminal cases involving offences which arise from commercial, financial, mercantile, partnership or similar transactions with an essentially civil flavour may in appropriate situations fall for quashing where parties have settled the dispute.

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16.9. In such a case, the High Court may quash

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Page 6 of 8

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the criminal proceeding if in view of the compromise between the disputants, the possibility of a conviction is remote and the continuation of a criminal proceeding would cause oppression and prejudice; and

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16.10. There is yet an exception to the principle set out in propositions 16.8. and 16.9. above. Economic offences involving the financial and economic well-being of the State have implications which lie beyond the domain of a mere dispute between private disputants. The High Court would be justified in declining to quash where the offender is involved in an activity akin to a financial or economic fraud or misdemeanour. The consequences of the act complained of upon the financial or economic system will weigh in the balance.”

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(emphasis supplied)

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In the present matters, the respective complainants have stated that they do not wish to pursue the proceedings arising out of the respective FIRs. In the peculiar circumstances of these cases, it is unlikely that the present FIRs will result in conviction when the complainants do not wish to pursue the cases. In such circumstances, continuation of the proceedings would be an abuse of the process of law.

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Even though the offence under Section 308 of the IPC cannot be in strict sense be called an offence in personam , however, considering the fact that the parties are neighbours and in order to put quietus to the disputes have decided to live in harmony and peace in future and have entered into a MoU with the intervention of neighbours and friends and of respectable persons of the society, I am of the opinion that the continuance of the proceeding would only cause undue harassment and heartburn.

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CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Page 7 of 8

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However, keeping in mind the fact that the charge sheets have already been filed in the respective cases and the State machinery has been put to motion, ends of justice would be served if the petitioners are put to cost.

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In view of the above, FIR No. 279/2018 and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashed, subject to the payment of cost of ₹5,000/- by the petitioners (in CRL.M.C. 6510/2024), to be deposited with the Delhi Police Welfare Society within a period of three months from today.

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Similarly, FIR No.277/2018 and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashed, subject to the payment of a total cost of ₹5,000/- by the petitioners (in CRL.M.C. 7972/2024), to be deposited with the Delhi Police Welfare Society within a period of three months from today.

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Proof of deposit of cost be submitted to the concerned SHO.

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The present petitions are allowed in the aforesaid terms.

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A copy of the order be placed in both the matters.

AMIT MAHAJAN, J

OCTOBER 15, 2024

‘Aman’

CRL.M.C. 6510/2024 & CRL.M.C. 7972/2024

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Page 8 of 8

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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 01/07/2025 at 10:18:37

Narender and Anr. v. State NCT of Delhi and Anr.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Narender and Anr. v. State NCT of Delhi and Anr.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

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