Delhi High Court
Munna Lal & Ors. vs State & Ors. on 10 May, 2019
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Date of Order: May 10, 2019
+ CRL.M.C. 2542/2019 & CRL.M.A. 10145/2019
MUNNA LAL & ORS. .....Petitioners
Through: Mr. Vikas Yadav & Mr. Praveen
Goel, Advocates.
Versus
STATE & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. M.P. Singh, Additional Public
Prosecutor for State with SI
Hemant.
Respondent Nos. 2 to 5 in person.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL GAUR
ORDER
(ORAL)
Quashing of FIR No. 471/2014 under Sections 354/323/308/34 of
IPC, registered at Police Station Vasant Kunj North, Delhi is sought on
the basis of affidavits of 29th April, 2019 of respondent Nos. 2 to 5 and on
the ground that the misunderstanding which led to registration of the FIR
in question, now stands cleared amongst the parties.
Upon notice, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for respondent-
State submits that respondent Nos. 2 to 5 present in the Court, are the
complainants/first-informants of FIR in question and they have been
identified to be so, by SI Hemant, on the basis of identity proof produced
by them.
Respondent Nos. 2 to 5 present in the Court, affirm the contents of
their affidavits of 29th April, 2019 and submit that the misunderstanding,
which led to registration of the FIR in question, now stands cleared
amongst the parties and now, no grievance against petitioners survives
and so, to restore cordiality amongst the parties, who are related to each
other, proceedings arising out of the FIR in question be brought to an end.
Supreme Court in Parbatbhai Aahir @ Parbatbhai Bhimsinhbhai
Vs. State of Gujarat (2017) 9 SCC 641 has reiterated the parameters for
exercising inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. for quashing of
FIR / criminal proceedings, which are as under:-
"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.
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.
16.9. In such a case, the High Court may quash 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."
In the facts and circumstances of this case, I find that continuance
of proceedings arising out of the FIR in question would be an exercise in
futility as the misunderstanding, which led to registration of the FIR in
question, now stands cleared amongst the parties.
Accordingly, this petition is allowed, subject to costs of ₹10,000/-
to be deposited by petitioners with Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
within a week from today. Upon placing on record the proof of deposit of
costs within a week thereafter and handing over its copy to the
Investigating Officer, FIR No. 471/2014 under Sections 354/323/308/34
of IPC, registered at Police Station Vasant Kunj North, Delhi and the
proceedings emanating therefrom shall stand quashed qua petitioners.
This petition and application are accordingly disposed of.
Dasti.
(SUNIL GAUR)
JUDGE
MAY 10, 2019
p'ma
