Manish Nagra & Ors. vs State & Anr.

Ravinder Dudeja, J.

Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

These application stands disposed of.

This is a petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) seeking quashing of FIR No. 342/2023, dated 31^st December. 2023, registered at P.S Hauz Qazi, Delhi under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC and all proceedings emanating therefrom on the basis of compromise arrived at between the parties.

The marriage between complainant (respondent No. 2 herein) and petitioner no. 1 was solemnized on 22^nd April, 2022 as per Hindu rites and customs. No child was born from the abovesaid wedlock.

However, on account of temperamental differences, the parties started residing separately since 11^th February, 2023 and upon persistent physical and mental harassment by petitioners on account of dowry demands, a complaint was lodged by respondent No. 2 and the abovesaid FIR was registered.

Chargesheet has since been filed.

During the course of proceedings under Section 13(1)(a) of Hindu Marriage Act in HMA No. 1987/2024, the parties were referred to the Delhi Mediation Centre, Rohini District Courts, Delhi where they amicably resolved their disputes and the terms of the compromise were reduced into writing in the form of a Settlement dated 30^th August, 2025. Copy of the Settlement dated 30^th August, 2025 is annexed as Annexure A-4.

Learned counsels for both the parties submit that as per the settlement, petitioner no. 1 and Respondent no. 2 have obtained divorce by mutual consent vide order dated 4^th July, 2026 and petitioner no. 1 has paid the entire settlement amount of Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lacs Only) to the Respondent no. 2 as per the schedule in the settlement.

Petitioner nos. 1, 2 and Respondent No. 2 are physically present before the Court while Petitioner no. 3 is appearing through VC. They have been identified by their respective counsels as well as by the Investigating Officer SI Naveen Kumar, from PS Hauz Qazi.

Respondent No. 2 confirms that the matter has been amicably settled with the petitioners without any force, fear, coercion and she has received the entire settlement amount and has no objection if the FIR No. 342/2023 is quashed against the petitioners.

In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties, continuing with criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose, especially, when dispute does not involve any public interest and is, primarily, private in nature. In any case, even the complainant does not wish to press any charges against the petitioners.

Accordingly, exercising inherent powers vested in this Court under Section 528 of the BNSS, it is deemed appropriate to quash the instant FIR.

Consequently, to secure the ends of justice, FIR No. 342/2023, dated 31st December, 2023, registered at P.S Hauz Qazi, Delhi under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC, along with all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, is hereby, quashed. Original affidavits of the parties, copies of which have been placed on record in the present proceedings, shall be submitted before the learned Trial Court, so that these become part of Trial Court Record and shall also be submitted to concerned SHO/IO within four weeks from today.

Petition is allowed and disposed of accordingly.

Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.