Delhi High Court
Prashant Pareek vs State Govt. Of Nct Of Delhi And Anr on 30 May, 2025
$~33
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
% Date of decision: 30.05.2025
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+ W.P.(CRL) 348/2025 & & CRL.M.A. 2984/2025, CRL.M.A.
2985/2025
PRASHANT PAREEK .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Anubhav Mehrotra and Mr.
Sanjeev Malik, Advs. with
along with petitioner.
versus
STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF
DELHI & ANR. ... Respondents
Through: Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC
with SI Beena, PS-IGI Airport.
Mr. RAna Kunal, Adv for R2
along with R2 in person.
CORAM:-
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVINDER DUDEJA
JUDGMENT(ORAL)
RAVINDER DUDEJA, J.
1. This is a petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking quashing of FIR No. 370/2024 dated
29.05.2024, Under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code registered at
P.S. IGI Airport and all proceedings emanating therefrom on the basis
of settlement between the parties.
2. On 28.05.2024, the complainant/Respondent no. 2, while flying
from Indore to Delhi on flight no. 91928, alleged that co-passenger
Prashant Pareek stared at her persistently, causing discomfort. She
submitted a written complaint to the police upon landing. Based on the
complaint, FIR under Section 509 IPC was registered on 29.05.2024 at
PS IGI Airport.
3. During the proceedings, the parties have amicably resolved their
disputes and executed a Settlement Agreement dated 16.12.2024 with
the help of well wishers. The copy of Settlement Agreement dated
16.12.2024has been placed on record as Annexure B.
4. The matter was placed before the Joint Registrar on 22.05.2025,
who has recorded the statements of both the parties and passed the
following orders:-
"22.05.2025
1. The present non contentious petition has been filed by the
petitioner under Section 528 of the
BhartiyaNagarikSurakshaSanita, 2023 for quashing of the FIR NO.
370/2024 Under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code registered
at P.S. IGI Airport on the basis of settlement arrived at between the
parties.
2. As per the submissions, the matter between the petitioner and R-
2 has been amicably settled.
3. Vide separate statement recorded in this behalf, petitioner stated
that dispute between him and R-2 has been amicably settled as per
the settlement deed dated 16.12.2024. The settlement has been
arrived at between the parties herein without any force, coercion,
undue influence and pressure. He has signed the settlement deed
with his wish and will. Vide separate statement recorded in this
behalf, R-2 stated that dispute between R-2 and petitioner has been
amicably settled as per the settlement deed dated 16.12.2024. The
settlement has been arrived at between the parties herein without
any force, coercion,undue influence and pressure. The settlement
deed has been signed with wish and will.
4. Investigating Officer is present in Court and has duly verified the
identity of both the parties. Separate statement of Investigating
Officer has also been recorded.
5. The parties along with their counsels have confirmed that the
settlement deed has been duly entered into between them.
6.Learned counsel for State/APP enters appearance and accepts
notice. He submits that in view of the statement recorded, let the
matter be placed before the Hon'ble Court.
7. The compromise/settlement deed is in writing and has been duly
signed by both the parties. I have heard both the parties and from
the direct dialogue with both the parties, it is observed that the
consent of both the parties is found to be genuine and has not been
obtained under undue influence or pressure.
8. In view of the above, matter be placed before the Hon'ble Court
on 30.05.2025."
5. Parties are physically present before the Court with respective
advocates. They have been identified by their respective counsels as
well as by the Investigating Officer SI Beena from PS IGI Airport.
6. Respondent No.2 confirms that the matter has been settled with
the petitioner without any force, fear, coercion and she further submits
that she has no objection if the FIR No. 370/2024 dated 29.05.2024,
Under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code registered at P.S. IGI
Airportis quashed against the petitioners.
7. In view of the settlement between the parties, learned
Additional PP appearing for the State, also has no objection if the
present FIR No. 370/2024 dated 29.05.2024, Under Sections 509 of
the Indian Penal Code registered at P.S. IGI Airport along with charge
sheet is quashed.
8. In Gian Singh vs State of Punjab (2012) 10 SCC 303, Hon'ble
Supreme Courthas recognized the need of amicable resolution of
disputes by observing as under:-
"61. 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 proceedings or continuation of criminal proceedings
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 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 proceedings."
9. In view of the aforesaid circumstances and the fact that parties
have put a quietus to the dispute, no useful purpose will be served in
continuing with the present FIR No. 370/2024 dated 29.05.2024,
Under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code registered at P.S. IGI
Airportalong with all the other consequential proceeding emanating
therefrom.
10. In the interest of justice, the petition is allowed, and FIR No.
370/2024 dated 29.05.2024, Under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal
Code registered at P.S. IGI Airport along with all the other
consequential proceeding emanating therefrom is hereby quashed.
11. Petition is allowed and disposed of accordingly.
12. Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.
RAVINDER DUDEJA, J
MAY 30, 2025/NA
