Delhi HC Quashes FIR Between Neighbours, Asks Accused to Organise ‘Bhandara’ on Navratra, Diwali
Delhi High Court quashes neighbour dispute FIR, accused couple to organise bhandara for poor children on Navratra and Diwali
The Delhi High Court has recently quashed an FIR arising out of a neighbourhood dispute after the parties reached a settlement. The court asked the accused to hold bhandaras for poor children, one during the upcoming Navratra festival and another on Diwali.
Justice Anish Dayal was hearing a petition filed by Brij Ballabh Gaur and his wife, who sought the quashing of an FIR registered at Jagatpuri police station under Sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
The FIR was lodged by their neighbour following a quarrel, but the matter was later resolved.
During the hearing on September 19, the complainant, present in court with her husband, told the judge that she had no objection to the FIR being quashed, as “the original issues have now been resolved.”
The petitioners, in turn, undertook to organise two bhandaras for at least 50 poor children at Shiv Mandir in Radheypuri, one during Navratra and another on Diwali. The court directed that proof of compliance, along with photographs, be filed on record through an affidavit and also shared with the investigating officer.
"The report of the same, by way of an affidavit, shall be filed with photographs on the record of the Court and a copy of the same shall also be given to the IO. Subject to this undertaking being complied with, the said FIR stands quashed," the Court said.
Justice Dayal noted that continuing criminal proceedings in such circumstances would serve no purpose. “Considering the above settlement between the parties and the chances of conviction of the petitioners 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 order stated.
Accordingly, the FIR and all related proceedings were quashed, with the court making it clear that the parties must abide by the terms of settlement. The petition was accordingly disposed of.
Case Title: Brij Ballabh Gaur and Another vs. State of NCT of Delhi and Another
Bench: Justice Anish Dayal
Judgment Date: 19th September, 2025