Delhi HC Quashes Sexual Harassment Case After Accused Undertakes Community Service at Jama Masjid

The Delhi High Court has quashed a sexual harassment case against two men after they reached a settlement with the complainant and undertook to perform community service at Delhi’s Jama Masjid.

Justice Anish Dayal was hearing a plea filed by the accused seeking to quash an FIR registered in 2019 at Bhajanpura police station under Sections 354, 354A, 354B, 506, 509, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

During the hearing, both the accused and the complainant were present in court and were identified by the investigating officer and their respective counsel.

The complainant told the court that she did not wish to pursue the case further, citing the death of senior family members and the fact that the petitioners were her relatives. She said the dispute had arisen out of a domestic issue, which had now been resolved.

The petitioners gave an undertaking that they would not indulge in any such activities in the future. They also agreed to deposit Rs 5,000 each in the Delhi Police Welfare Fund within two weeks and to perform community service at Jama Masjid, four days a month for at least two months, for four hours each day.

Taking note of the settlement and observing that the chances of conviction were remote and bleak, the court said continuing the proceedings would amount to misuse of the process of the court and an unnecessary burden on the state.

"Considering the above settlement between the parties and the chances of conviction of the petitioner(s) being remote and bleak, there is no use continuing with proceedings of the present FIR as it would be a misuse of the process of the Court and an unnecessary burden on the State exchequer," the Court said.

"Accordingly, the petition is allowed. Consequently, FIR No. 202/2019 under Sections 354/354A/354B/506/509 and 34 IPC registered at P.S. Bhajanpura, and proceedings emanating therefrom, are quashed qua the petitioner(s)," the Court added.

With this, the petition was allowed and disposed of along with all pending applications.

Case Title: AKBAR ALI & ANR v. STATE (NCT OF DELHI) & ANR

Bench: Justice Anish Dayal

Order Date: 19 September 2025