Ankit Sharma vs. State of NCT of Delhi & Anr.
Background
The complainant alleged he was induced to invest Rs. 60 lakh in a property development deal on the petitioner's claim of ownership rights he did not actually have, since the relevant floor had already been sold to someone else; cheques issued to cover the shortfall later bounced, and a chargesheet was filed. The parties later signed a fresh settlement agreeing to a full repayment of Rs. 60 lakh.
Decision Breakdown
The Court confirmed the complainant had received the entire settlement amount and no longer wished to pursue the case. It quashed the FIR, but, noting the case had been pending two years and involved a financial fraud-type allegation, directed the petitioner to pay Rs. 20,000 in costs to the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.
Lesson Learnt
Even financial fraud-type disputes with a strong civil/commercial flavor can be resolved through a genuine, fully-paid settlement and quashing of the FIR, though courts may still impose costs reflecting the case's age and nature.