Disposed

Rakesh Khurana & Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi & Anr.

Delhi HC11 Feb 2026CRL.M.C./1168/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Petitioners sought quashing of an FIR alleging casteist remarks and assault, based on a settlement with the complainant, a close relative. The complainant confirmed she had voluntarily resolved the dispute and did not wish to press charges. The High Court quashed the FIR and consequential proceedings against all petitioners, subject to payment of costs.

What did the court decide?

FIR No.396/2021 and all consequential proceedings quashed against all petitioners, subject to depositing Rs.15,000/- with Delhi High Court Staff Welfare Fund within two weeks.

Rakesh Khurana & Ors. Vs State NCT of Delhi & Anr. — Caste Atrocities | Delhi HC (2026)

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$~53

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

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% Date of Decision: 11^th February, 2026

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- CRL.M.C. 1168/2026 & CRL.M.A. 4668-4669/2026

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RAKESH KHURANA & ORS. .....Petitioners

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Through: Mr. Rahul Gupta with Ms. Deepti Gupta and Ms. Sakshi, Advocates with petitioners in person.

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versus

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STATE NCT OF DELHI & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Ms. Priyanka Dalal, APP for the State with Insp. Surender, SI Ashish, PS Begumpur.

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Ms. Jaspreet Kaur, Advocate for respondent No.2 with respondent No.2 in person (through V.C.)

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CORAM:

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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN

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J U D G M E N T (oral)

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Petitioners seek quashing of FIR No.396/2021 dated 16.08.2021, registered at P.S. Begum Pur.

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Charge-sheet has been filed and charges are ascertained and all the three petitioners have been charged as under:-

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Petitioner	Framing of charges vide order dated 11.04.2023
Petitioner No.1	Section 3(1)(w)(i) of The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (in short SC/ST Act) r/w Section 354 IPC, Section 3(1)(r)(s) of SC/ST Act, 3(2)(v)(a) ofSC/ST Actr/w Section323IPC
Petitioner No.2	Section 3(1)(r)(s)& 3(2)(v)of SC/ST Act r/w

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CRL.M.C. 1168/2026 1

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Signature Not Verified

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Signed By:SONIA THAPLIYAL Signing Da te:1 2.02.2026 18:06:56

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	506IPC.
Petitioner No.3.	Section 3(1)(r)(s) of SC/ST Act, 3(2)(v)(a) of
	SC/ST Actr/w Section323IPC

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The trial is already underway.

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Learned counsel for the petitioners, however, submits that since the complainant and the accused persons are close relatives, they have been able to settle all their disputes and, therefore, quashing is being sought on the basis of such settlement.

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As per the contents of FIR, the complainant had leveled allegations for use of ‘ casteist remarks’ by all the three petitioners and also referred about one incident dated 22.06.2021 when she was pushed and beaten up.

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Respondent No.2 is present in person and has been duly identified by the Investigating Officer – Mr. Surender. Her counsel has also joined the proceedings through video-conferencing and she has also identified her. 7. There is a Settlement Deed between the parties, which has been executed on 17.01.2026 and has been signed, inter alia, by the complainant also. Her name has, however, been redacted to conceal her identity, keeping in mind the nature of offences.

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Respondent No.2 reiterates the contents of the Settlement Deed dated 17.01.2026 and submits that with the intervention of elders, well-wishers and common friends, she has amicably resolved all their disputes and differences voluntarily and without any pressure, coercion and undue influence. She submits that they all are now living in complete harmony and, therefore, she would have no objection if the present FIR is quashed.

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In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties, continuing with criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose, especially, when dispute

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Signature Not Verified

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CRL.M.C. 1168/2026 2

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Signed By:SONIA THAPLIYAL Signing Da te:1 2.02.2026 18:06:56

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is, primarily, between close family members. In any case, even the complainant does not wish to press any charges against the petitioners. 10. Accordingly, exercising inherent powers vested in this Court under Section 528 of the BNSS, it is deemed appropriate to quash the instant FIR. 11. Consequently, to secure the ends of justice, FIR No.396/2021 dated 16.08.2021, registered at P.S. Begum Pur, for commission of offences under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Section 354/506 of IPC, 1860, along with all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, is hereby, quashed against all the petitioners, subject to petitioners depositing total cost of Rs. 15,000/with Delhi High Court Staff Welfare Fund [Account no. 15530110074442: IFSC UCBA0001553] within two weeks from today.

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The petition stands disposed of in aforesaid terms.

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Pending applications also stand disposed of in aforesaid terms.

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(MANOJ JAIN) JUDGE

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FEBRUARY 11, 2026/st/js

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Signature Not Verified

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CRL.M.C. 1168/2026 3

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Signed By:SONIA THAPLIYAL Signing Da te:1 2.02.2026 18:06:56

Rakesh Khurana & Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi & Anr.

Case brief

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Rakesh Khurana & Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi & Anr.

Case brief

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