Parshuram Mishra & Anr. vs. State Govt of NCT of Delhi & Ors.
Background
A father and son had been summoned in a criminal complaint case (originally filed in Bihar and later transferred to Delhi by the Supreme Court) alleging assault and outraging a woman's modesty. While the case was pending at the pre-charge evidence stage, the parties, who were closely related to each other, settled the matter through court-annexed mediation in Delhi.
Decision Breakdown
The complainant, joining the hearing by video-conference, confirmed to the Court that she genuinely accepted the settlement and had no objection to quashing the case. Since the dispute was private in nature, did not involve any public interest, and the complainant no longer wished to pursue charges, the Court exercised its inherent powers to quash the complaint case entirely.
Lesson Learnt
Genuine family settlements can bring even long-pending criminal complaints, including ones transferred across states by the Supreme Court, to a close, provided the complainant personally confirms to the court that the settlement is voluntary.