Delhi HC Quashes Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Employer, Orders Community Service
"The fact that parties have put a quietus to the dispute, no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the present FIR," the high court said;
While quashing an FIR filed by a female employee against her employer alleging sexual harassment and stalking, the Delhi High Court recently directed the employer to perform community service at LNJP Hospital every Sunday for the next six months.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the employer seeking quashing of the FIR registered under Sections 354(A), 354(D), and 509 of the Indian Penal Code.
The FIR was filed on the woman’s complaint that during her employment, the accused employer persistently sexually harassed, stalked, and humiliated her through obscene remarks, unwelcome physical contact, and social media stalking, and later threatened her to withdraw the complaint. The chargesheet had also been filed in the present case
However, the court noted that during the pendency of the proceedings, both parties had entered into a settlement and amicably resolved their dispute.
The Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State also expressed no objection to the quashing of the FIR.
Taking note of this, the court observed that since the parties have settled the matter, no useful purpose would be served by continuing with the proceedings.
"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. 252/2022 registered on 19.05.2022 under sections 354(A)/354(D)/509 at PSNaraina and all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom," the court noted.
Reliance was placed on the top court's judgment in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, wherein the court had recognised the importance of amicable resolution in certain types of disputes.
Accordingly, the high court allowed the petition and held:
“In the interest of justice, the petition is allowed. FIR No. 252/2022, registered on 19.05.2022 under Sections 354(A), 354(D), and 509 at PS Naraina, and all other consequential proceedings arising therefrom, are hereby quashed, subject to the condition that the petitioner shall perform community service at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP Hospital), Delhi, every Sunday for the next six months. The petitioner shall appear before the Medical Superintendent of LNJP Hospital this coming Sunday, who shall assign him community service work.”
Case Title: KARAN MOOLCHANDANI vs State of NCT of Delhi and Anr.
Date of Decision: August 1, 2025
Bench: Justice Ravinder Dudeja