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Ashok Chadha and Ors. vs. Govt of NCT of Delhi and Anr.

Writ Petition (Criminal) · 2026:DHC:7920Decided 16 Sept 2026New Delhi Bench
W.P.(CRL) 833/2026CNR: DLHC010098032026
Justice Girish Kathpalia

Background

An FIR had been registered against the petitioners under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC (cruelty and criminal breach of trust in a matrimonial context, with common intention) based on a complaint by the husband's former wife. The petitioners sought quashing of the FIR on the ground that the complainant had since settled all disputes with them.

Decision Breakdown

The complainant appeared before the Court via video conferencing and confirmed in person that she had compromised all disputes with the petitioners, that her marriage to petitioner no. 1 had already been legally dissolved by divorce, that she had received a full and final settlement covering her stridhan (personal property) and maintenance, that she retained custody of their daughter, and that she no longer wished to pursue the prosecution. The State had no objection. Satisfied that pushing the parties through a full trial would serve no purpose given the genuine settlement, the Court quashed the FIR and all related proceedings.

Lesson Learnt

Courts can quash even fairly serious matrimonial criminal cases (like cruelty and breach of trust charges) once the parties have genuinely and voluntarily settled their disputes, especially where continuing the prosecution would serve no real purpose for either side.

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