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Hari Govind vs. The State NCT of Delhi & Anr.

Criminal Miscellaneous Case · CNR No. DLHC010475492026Decided 1 Oct 2026New Delhi Bench
CRL.M.C. 7404/2026CNR: DLHC010475492026
Justice Ravinder Dudeja

Background

FIR No. 774/2015 of P.S. Dabri, Delhi, was registered on a complaint of dowry-related cruelty under Sections 498/406/354/34 IPC. Charges were framed against the petitioner in January 2024, and the parties then settled before the Delhi Mediation Centre, Dwarka Courts, on 29.11.2025. The parties obtained a divorce by mutual consent on 25.08.2026, and the petitioner had paid the full settlement amount of Rs 11,70,000.

Decision Breakdown

The complainant confirmed that the matter had been settled without force or coercion, that she had received the entire amount, and that she had no objection to quashing. The Court held that continuing the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose, since the dispute was essentially private and the complainant did not wish to press charges. The FIR and all consequential proceedings were quashed against the petitioner, and the parties' original affidavits were to be filed before the Trial Court.

Lesson Learnt

A matrimonial FIR can be quashed even after charges have been framed, where the parties have settled, divorced and the complainant does not want the case to continue. Settlement documents and affidavits are usually filed on record as part of the closure.

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