Delhi HC Quashes FIR Against Man Accused Of Staring At Woman On Flight
According to the FIR, the man was accused of persistently staring at a woman on a flight;
The Delhi High Court has recently quashed an FIR against a man accused of persistently staring at women on a flight after the complainant and the accused reached an amicable settlement.
A bench led by Justice Ravinder Dudeja held,"......In view of the aforesaid circumstances and the fact that parties have put a quietus to the dispute, no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the present FIR No. 370/2024 dated 29.05.2024, Under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code registered at P.S. IGI Airport along with all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom...."
The case arose when the complainant was flying from Indore to Delhi. She, in her complaint, alleged that the co-passenger Prashant Prateek was persistently staring at her, leading to discomfort. She had then, after landing, filed an FIR against him.
The petitioner (Prashant Pareek) had approached the High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him under Section 509 IPC on the ground that a settlement was reached between the parties.
On December 16, 2024, both parties came to a settlement. It was noted that the said agreement was voluntarily signed, without any force, coercion, or undue influence.
The court was told that the same had been confirmed before the Joint Registrar on May 22, 2025. The Investigating Officer, SI Beena from PS IGI Airport, verified the identities of both parties.
The petitioner's counsel also submitted that since the parties have already settled amicably, continuation of criminal proceedings serves no purpose. The complainant woman also confirmed the same.
The Additional Public Prosecutor for the State also expressed no objection to quashing the FIR.
Ultimately, the High Court placed reliance on the Supreme Court's judgment in Gian Singh vs State of Punjab, wherein the top court had held that the court may quash criminal proceedings if their continuation, despite a settlement between parties, amounts to unfairness or abuse of power.
Therefore, the court, after taking note of the submissions of both parties, said that since a settlement was reached, no useful purpose would be served in continuing criminal proceedings.
Accordingly, the court quashed the FIR.
".....In the interest of justice, the petition is allowed, and FIR No. 370/2024 dated 29.05.2024, under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code registered at P.S. IGI Airport along with all the other consequential proceedings emanating therefrom is hereby quashed," the court held.
Case Title: Prashant Pareek vs State Govt. of NCT of Delhi