Harkirat Singh Sangha & Anr. vs. State NCT of Delhi & Anr.
Background
Petitioners sought quashing of a 2025 FIR under Sections 498A/34 IPC. The marriage (2019, one child) had broken down, with the parties separated since October 2024; the case was still under investigation with no charge-sheet filed yet.
Decision Breakdown
The parties reached a Memorandum of Understanding, obtained a mutual-consent divorce, and the wife confirmed she had received a very substantial full-and-final settlement of Rs. 6.25 crore (with the balance Rs. 1 crore paid that day), with child custody remaining with her and visitation rights to the father. Finding no public interest in the private dispute, the Court quashed the FIR under Section 528 BNSS.
Lesson Learnt
Quashing of matrimonial FIRs on settlement is available regardless of the settlement amount involved, so long as the compromise is genuine, voluntary, and confirmed directly by the complainant before the Court.