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The Delhi High Court observed that there is an increasing tendency of neighbours to file cases against one another under Section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to settle scores with one another, which needs to be curbed. 

Justice Swarana Kant Sharma made such observations while hearing a petition to quash FIRs filed by the parties. 

"The cases were registered in the year 2017 and charges have already been framed. Thus, there has been a delay by the parties in coming to the court for compromise of quashing of the FIRs, thereby consuming much judicial time and time of the investigating agency" observed the Court 

The court further observed that the tendency to file cases of such serious nature to settle scores between neighbours is on the rise and needs to be curbed. 

"The tendency to file cases under Sections 354/509 in disputes between neighbours to settle scores is on the rise and needs to be curbed. The complainants in both the cases are present and state they do not want to pursue the matter as the same has been amicably settled.", the court recorded in its order. 

However, while quashing the FIRs the court also directed the parties to deposit Rs.10,000/- in the Lawyers' Welfare Fund, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi and file a receipt of the same before the Registry within a week 

Cause title: - Tarun & Ors. v State of NCT of Delhi