Ankit & Ors. Vs State NCT of Delhi and Anr. — Corruption | Delhi HC (2026)

Ankit & Ors. Vs State NCT of Delhi and Anr. — Corruption | Delhi HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Quashing of FIR No. 234/2026 dated 27.06.2026 (Sections 115(2)/126(2)/3(5), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, PS Mukherjee Nager, Delhi) together with all consequential proceedings/action; the petition stands disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether FIR No. 234/2026 dated 27.06.2026, registered at police station Mukherjee Nager for offences under Sections 115(2)/126(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and all consequential proceedings should be quashed in view of the amicable settlement between the petitioners and respondent no. 2.

Court's answer

Bearing in mind the overall facts and circumstances and the nature of the allegations and offence involved, and in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in Gian Singh (para 61) and Narinder Singh (para 29), this Court quashed FIR No. 234/2026 dated 27.06.2026 (Sections 115(2)/126(2)/3(5), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, PS Mukherjee Nager, Delhi) and all consequential proceedings/action thereto.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Delhi High Court (Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J., 16.07.2026, CRL.M.C. 4905/2026) quashed FIR No. 234/2026 dated 27.06.2026, registered at police station Mukherjee Nager, Delhi, for offences punishable under Sections 115(2)/126(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with all consequential proceedings/action. The FIR arose from an alleged incident of 25.06.2026 in which the petitioners, riding on a vehicle, allegedly came to the depot and abused respondent no. 2, a DTC conductor, leading to an altercation. The parties had amicably settled their dispute with the intervention of elders. Bearing in mind the overall facts, the nature of the allegations and offence, and in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab & Anr., (2012) 10 SCC 303 (para 61), and Narinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Anr., (2014) 6 SCC 466 (para 29), on the exercise of inherent quashing power where offender and victim have settled their dispute, the Court allowed the petition, which stands disposed of.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

- CRL.M.C. 4905/2026

ANKIT & ORS. .....Petitioners

Through: Petitioners in person.

versus

STATE NCT OF DELHI AND ANR .....Respondents Through: Ms. Kiran Bairwa, APP for the State. Mr. Pushpendra, Adv. for R-2 with R- 2 in person.

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV

O R D E R % 16.07.2026

The petitioners by way of the instant petition, seek quashing of FIR No.234/2026 dated 27.06.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 115(2)/126(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 registered at police station Mukherjee Nager, Delhi and all consequential proceedings/ action thereto.

The petitioners and respondent no.2 are present in Court. They have been identified by the Investigating Officer.

The facts of the case would indicate that respondent no.2 is the DTC conductor. On the date of incidence i.e., on 25.06.2026, it is alleged that the petitioners, who were riding on a vehicle, came at depot and started abusing the complainant. On account of the aforesaid conduct, the altercation has taken place, thereupon, an FIR was lodged.

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 18/07/2026 at 11:27:59

With the intervention of the elders, the parties have amicably settled their dispute. The applicant, namely, Jitender, is working as a Head Constable, applicant-Sohit is preparing for the competitive exams, whereas applicant -Ankit is in private employment.

The Supreme Court in the case of Gian Singh vs. State of Punjab & Anr.³ , in paragraph no. 61 has held as under:

“ 61. The position that emerges from the above discussion can be summarised thus : the power of the High Court in quashing a criminal proceeding or FIR or complaint in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction is distinct and different from the power given to a criminal court for compounding the offences under Section 320 of the Code. Inherent power is of wide plenitude with no statutory limitation but it has to be exercised in accord with the guideline engrafted in such power viz. : (i) to secure the ends of justice, or (ii) to prevent abuse of the process of any court. In what cases power to quash the criminal proceeding or complaint or FIR may be exercised where the offender and the victim have settled their dispute would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and no category can be prescribed. However, before exercise of such power, the High Court must have due regard to the nature and gravity of the crime. Heinous and serious offences of mental depravity or offences like murder, rape, dacoity, etc. cannot be fittingly quashed even though the victim or victim's family and the offender have settled the dispute. Such offences are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society. Similarly, any compromise between the victim and the offender in relation to the offences under special statutes like the Prevention of Corruption Act or the offences committed by public servants while working in that capacity, etc.; cannot provide for any basis for quashing criminal proceedings involving such offences. But the criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominatingly civil flavour stand on a different footing for the purposes of quashing, particularly the offences arising from commercial, financial, mercantile, civil, partnership or such like transactions or the offences arising out of matrimony relating to dowry, etc. or the family disputes where the wrong is basically private or personal in nature and the parties have resolved their entire dispute. In this category of cases, the High Court may quash the criminal proceedings if in its view, because of the compromise between the offender and the victim, the possibility of conviction is remote and bleak and continuation of the criminal case would put the accused to great oppression and prejudice and extreme

3 (2012) 10 SCC 303

This is a digitally signed order.

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injustice would be caused to him by not quashing the criminal case despite full and complete settlement and compromise with the victim. In other words, the High Court must consider whether it would be unfair or contrary to the interest of justice to continue with the criminal proceeding or continuation of the criminal proceeding would tantamount to abuse of process of law despite settlement and compromise between the victim and the wrongdoer and whether to secure the ends of justice, it is appropriate that the criminal case is put to an end and if the answer to the above question(s) is in the affirmative, the High Court shall be well within its jurisdiction to quash the criminal proceeding.”

6. The Supreme Court in the case of Narinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Punjab & Anr.⁴ , in paragraph no. 29 has held as under:

“ 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.

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:

(i) ends of justice, or

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

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

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.

29.4. On the other hand, those criminal cases having overwhelmingly and predominantly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or arising out of matrimonial relationship or

4 (2014) 6 SCC 466

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family disputes should be quashed when the parties have resolved their entire disputes among themselves.

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.

29.6. Offences under Section 307 IPC would fall in the category of heinous and serious offences and therefore are to be generally treated as crime against the society and not against the individual alone. However, the High Court would not rest its decision merely because there is a mention of Section 307 IPC in the FIR or the charge is framed under this provision. It would be open to the High Court to examine as to whether incorporation of Section 307 IPC is there for the sake of it or the prosecution has collected sufficient evidence, which if proved, would lead to proving the charge under Section 307 IPC. For this purpose, it would be open to the High Court to go by the nature of injury sustained, whether such injury is inflicted on the vital/delicate parts of the body, nature of weapons used, etc. Medical report in respect of injuries suffered by the victim can generally be the guiding factor. On the basis of this prima facie analysis, the High Court can examine as to whether there is a strong possibility of conviction or the chances of conviction are remote and bleak. In the former case it can refuse to accept the settlement and quash the criminal proceedings whereas in the latter case it would be permissible for the High Court to accept the plea compounding the offence based on complete settlement between the parties. At this stage, the Court can also be swayed by the fact that the settlement between the parties is going to result in harmony between them which may improve their future relationship.

29.7. While deciding whether to exercise its power under Section 482 of the Code or not, timings of settlement play a crucial role. Those cases where the settlement is arrived at immediately after the alleged commission of offence and the matter is still under investigation, the High Court may be liberal in accepting the settlement to quash the criminal proceedings/investigation. It is because of the reason that at this stage the investigation is still on and even the charge-sheet has not been filed. Likewise, those cases where the charge is framed but the evidence is yet to start or the evidence is still at infancy stage, the High Court can show benevolence in exercising its powers favourably, but after prima facie assessment of the circumstances/material mentioned above. On the other hand, where the prosecution evidence is almost complete or after the conclusion of the evidence the matter is at the stage of argument, normally the High Court should refrain from exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code, as in such cases the trial court would be in a position to

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 18/07/2026 at 11:27:59

decide the case finally on merits and to come to a conclusion as to whether the offence under Section 307 IPC is committed or not. Similarly, in those cases where the conviction is already recorded by the trial court and the matter is at the appellate stage before the High Court, mere compromise between the parties would not be a ground to accept the same resulting in acquittal of the offender who has already been convicted by the trial court. Here charge is proved under Section 307 IPC and conviction is already recorded of a heinous crime and, therefore, there is no question of sparing a convict found guilty of such a crime. ”

Bearing in mind the overall facts and circumstances and nature of the allegations and offence involved in the instant case and in view of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in the cases of Gian Singh and in Narinder Singh , the FIR No.234/2026 dated 27.06.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 115(2)/126(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 registered at police station Mukherjee Nager, Delhi and all consequential proceedings/ action thereto stand quashed.

The petition stands disposed of.

PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J

JULY 16, 2026/P

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 18/07/2026 at 11:27:59