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Ankur Yadav and Ors vs. State of NCT Delhi and Anr.

Criminal Miscellaneous Case · 2026:DHC:8328Decided 25 Sept 2026New Delhi Bench
CRL.M.C. 5587/2026CNR: DLHC010350882026
Justice Girish Kathpalia

Background

The petitioners sought quashing of a 2025 FIR under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC (cruelty and criminal breach of trust in a matrimonial dispute), after the complainant, the former wife of one of the petitioners, confirmed she had settled all disputes. The marriage between her and petitioner no. 1 had already been dissolved by a divorce decree, with no children from the marriage.

Decision Breakdown

The complainant confirmed in person, speaking with the Court in Hindi, that she had received the complete and final settlement for her stridhan (personal property) and maintenance, and no longer wished to pursue the case. Satisfied this was genuine, the Court found it was in the interest of justice not to force a full trial, and quashed the FIR and all connected proceedings.

Lesson Learnt

Once a matrimonial dispute is genuinely and fully settled, including payment of stridhan and maintenance, and confirmed directly by the complainant to the court, related criminal proceedings can be quashed even after divorce has already been finalised.

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