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Synopsis

While dealing with a case of enmity between two families, the Delhi High Court recently directed the members of the families to plant 400 trees in order to put an end to the "negative energy" by contributing to society.

Both the families were involved in a fight on a trivial issue that was subsequently settled. The court was hearing an application seeking quashing of the proceedings, after the two parties had reached a settlement in January 2023.

The bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said, “I consider that the negative energy of the parties should be put to an end by directing them to contribute to the society. Hence, the petitioners in both cases are directed to plant 200 trees each in their areas. The place shall be identified by the IO with the consultation of the Horticulture Department and shall inform the petitioners in 15 days advance”.

The single-judge bench also directed them to water the plants and take care of them for five years. “IO shall ensure compliance of the same. IO shall also explore the possibility of Geo-Tagging the trees planted with the coordination of the SDC of the concerned area for the proper monitoring by the appropriate authority”, it said.

Furthermore, the court directed a compliance report to be submitted in November 2023.

The case was registered for the alleged offences of voluntarily causing hurt, assault or wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

As per the first FIR, the complainant stated that the case dates back to March 4, 2017, when three members of a family came to his house and asked for their IDs for the purpose of getting them blankets that were to be distributed by a candidate of a political party. The second family informed them that they supported another political party leading to a verbal dispute that turned into a fight.

In the second FIR, it was alleged that the first family was collecting IDs for distributing blankets when the second family picked a fight and beat them up. Subsequently, the two criminal cases were filed.

The court noted that both the parties had settled the matter, voluntarily without any fear, force or coercion and the IO also stated that there was no other case pending against both the parties.

“In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, the FIR No.85/2017 under Sections 452/323/506/34 IPC registered at PS Karawal Nagar and FIR No. 84/2017 under Sections 308/323/34 IPC registered at PS Karawal Nagar and all other proceedings emanating thereof stand quashed”, the court ordered.

Case Title: Shri Narender Jha & Ors. v. State of NCT of Delhi & Ors.