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Informative

Delhi High Court on Quashing FIR under Dowry and Criminal Breach of Trust: Amicable Settlement Considered.

Update / Judgement Date

18 Nov 2025

Source

WCP News Bulletin

Author

Sakshi Bhardwaj — WCP Legal Desk

Reading Time

2 min read

Criminal LawOther Legal Matters
Delhi High Court on Quashing FIR under Dowry and Criminal Breach of Trust: Amicable Settlement Considered.
WCP News Bulletin

Headnote:

The Delhi High Court quashed FIR No. 294/2019 registered at P.S. Adarsh Nagar, Delhi under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC, along with all proceedings emanating therefrom, following an amicable settlement between the parties. The Court held that, in matrimonial disputes where the parties have resolved their differences voluntarily and without coercion, the inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC allow the High Court to quash non-compoundable offences to secure the ends of justice and prevent abuse of process.


Background:

  1. Petitioner No. 1 (Ram Gopal) and Respondent No. 2 were married on 29.11.2013 and had one child. They have been living separately since 08.07.2020 due to temperamental differences.
  2. FIR alleged physical and mental harassment due to dowry demands; a chargesheet was filed under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC.
  3. The parties subsequently reached an amicable settlement, with Respondent No. 2 filing a no-objection affidavit.
  4. Petitioners and Respondent No. 2 have obtained divorce on 25.03.2023; custody of the child is with Petitioner No. 1 with no visitation rights for Respondent No. 2.


Court’s Observations:

  1. Parties were physically present before the Court and confirmed the settlement was voluntary, free of coercion.
  2. The Additional Public Prosecutor also had no objection to quashing the FIR.
  3. Supreme Court precedents (Rangappa Javoor v. State of Karnataka, Jitendra Raghuvanshi v. Babita Raghuvanshi, Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana) recognize the need to amicably settle matrimonial disputes and permit quashing of non-compoundable offences where appropriate.
  4. Section 482 CrPC empowers the High Court to prevent abuse of process and ensure justice, including in cases arising from matrimonial differences.


Decision:

  1. FIR No. 294/2019 dated 05.09.2019 and all consequential proceedings are quashed.
  2. Petition allowed and disposed of in the interest of justice.

Citation: 2025:DEL:588/2025

Case: Crest Digitel Pvt. Ltd. v. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. & Anr.

Court: High Court of Delhi at New Delhi

Coram: Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, C.J. & Tushar Rao Gedela, J.

Date of Decision: 18 November 2025

LPA No.: 588/2025