Nishant Tandon vs. State of NCT of Delhi through SHO of PS Sunlight Colony & Anr.
Background
The petitioner sought quashing of a 2022 FIR under Sections 279/338 IPC (rash driving causing grievous hurt), after the injured party (respondent no. 2) agreed to settle. The injured party had already separately received Rs. 2,80,000/- compensation through Motor Accident Claims Tribunal proceedings, and the petitioner additionally paid Rs. 22,000/- in cash, with a final balance of Rs. 20,000/- paid before the Joint Registrar.
Decision Breakdown
With the full settlement amount confirmed as paid and statements of both sides already recorded, and the State raising no objection, the Court found it was in the interest of justice not to push the parties through a full trial. The FIR and connected proceedings were quashed.
Lesson Learnt
Where a road-accident injury case is amicably resolved, including through parallel compensation proceedings before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, courts will typically quash the related criminal FIR once the settlement and payment are verified.