Delhi High Court Quashes Rash Driving FIR After Injured Victims State They Do Not Wish to Continue Criminal Case
Delhi High Court Quashes Rash and Negligent Driving FIR After Complainants Compromise Dispute, Holds Trial Would Not Serve Interest of Justice
Facts
The Delhi High Court was dealing with a petition filed by Aman Dhamija seeking quashing of FIR No. 745/2023 registered at Police Station Kashmere Gate for offences under Sections 279, 337 and 338 IPC. The quashing was sought on the ground that the complainant, respondent no. 2, had compromised the dispute with the petitioner.
The State submitted that it had no serious objection to the petition. The statements of the parties had already been recorded before the concerned Joint Registrar. Respondents no. 2 and 3 appeared before the Court on behalf of respondents no. 2 to 5 and were identified by the Investigating Officer, SI Dilbagh Singh.
The Court interacted with respondents no. 2 and 3 in Hindi. They confirmed that they had compromised all disputes with the petitioner and did not wish to continue the prosecution.
Issues
- Whether FIR No. 745/2023 under Sections 279, 337 and 338 IPC could be quashed on the basis of compromise between the parties.
- Whether continuation of criminal proceedings would serve any useful purpose after the complainants had settled the dispute.
- Whether it would be in the interest of justice to push the parties through a full trial despite the settlement.
Petitioner’s Arguments
The petitioner sought quashing of the FIR on the ground that the complainant and other concerned respondents had compromised the dispute with him. It was submitted that the parties had resolved the matter and the complainants no longer wished to continue the prosecution.
Respondent’s Arguments
The State did not seriously object to the quashing of the FIR. The respondents appearing on behalf of respondents no. 2 to 5 confirmed before the Court that they had settled all disputes with the petitioner.
Respondents no. 2 and 3 also stated that they did not wish to continue the criminal prosecution against the petitioner.
Analysis of the Law
The Court proceeded on the principle that where the parties have voluntarily settled their dispute and the complainant does not wish to continue prosecution, the High Court may quash the proceedings if continuation of trial would not serve the interest of justice.
Although the FIR involved offences under Sections 279, 337 and 338 IPC, the Court considered the compromise between the parties, the personal presence of the respondents, and the fact that the State had no serious objection to the quashing.
Precedent Analysis
The judgment does not expressly refer to any precedent. However, the Court applied the settled principle that criminal proceedings may be quashed on the basis of compromise where the Court is satisfied that continuation of prosecution would be unnecessary and would not advance the cause of justice.
The Court placed importance on the fact that statements of parties had already been recorded before the Joint Registrar, respondents no. 2 and 3 were identified by the Investigating Officer, and the Court personally interacted with them before recording its satisfaction.
Court’s Reasoning
The Court noted that respondents no. 2 and 3 were present in Court on behalf of respondents no. 2 to 5 and were identified by the Investigating Officer. After speaking with them in Hindi, the Court was satisfied that the parties had compromised all disputes with the petitioner.
Since the complainants did not wish to continue the prosecution, the Court held that it would not be in the interest of justice to push the parties through a full-dress trial.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court allowed the petition and quashed FIR No. 745/2023 registered at Police Station Kashmere Gate for offences under Sections 279, 337 and 338 IPC, along with all proceedings arising from it. The Court held that in view of the compromise between the parties, continuation of the criminal trial would not serve the interest of justice.
Case Details
Case: Aman Dhamija v. The State Govt. of NCT of Delhi New Delhi & Ors.
Court: Delhi High Court
Case Number: CRL.M.C. 1885/2026
Judge: Justice Girish Kathpalia
Date: 04 July 2026
Result: Petition allowed; FIR No. 745/2023 under Sections 279, 337 and 338 IPC registered at Police Station Kashmere Gate, along with proceedings arising therefrom, quashed.
