Delhi HC Quashes FIRs in Neighbourhood Scuffle Sparked by Pet Dogs

The Delhi High Court has recently put an end to cross FIRs lodged by two neighbours after a quarrel over their pet dogs escalated into a scuffle.

Justice Arun Monga quashed the FIRs lodged by neighbours Ansh Jindal and Kirti Chauhan at Police Station K.N. Katju Marg. The cases arose from a routine dog walk that spiralled into a heated altercation and eventually an unsavoury scuffle, with each side accusing the other of assault, intimidation, and misbehaviour.

Calling it a case that “redefines for the love of dogs,” the Court noted that the quarrel was, remarkably, all in the name of the parties’ beloved pets.

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners and respondents submitted that the dispute had arisen from a misunderstanding, which led to the lodging of the FIR and cross FIR. They informed the Court that the matter had since been amicably resolved through a Memorandum of Understanding/Settlement Deed dated February 1, 2025, and the petitions were filed seeking the quashing of the FIRs.

The petitioners also placed reliance on Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr., (2012) 10 SCC 303, to argue that in light of the settlement, the FIRs and all consequential proceedings deserved to be quashed.

After hearing the parties, the Court observed that the dispute was essentially private in nature, arising out of unnecessary differences between neighbours over the handling of their respective pets.

“The parties are present before the Court in person. Upon interaction, it appears that the underlying dispute has indeed been amicably resolved. They further affirm in unison, of their own free will and without any coercion or duress, that they do not wish to pursue the matter and consent to the quashing of the FIRs in question,” the order recorded.

Court held that continuing the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose and would instead amount to an abuse of process. Quashing them, he said, would promote cordiality and goodwill between the neighbours.

"In such circumstances, the continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose and would rather amount to an abuse of the process of law. Not quashing the criminal proceedings would rather rekindle hostility, whereas quashing the same would promote cordiality and bonhomie between the neighbours," the Court said.

Justice Monga directed both sets of petitioners to deposit Rs 10,000 each with the Unity for Stray Animal Foundation, a dog shelter in Khera Khurd, Delhi, “for the love of their pets.”

Accordingly, the petitions were allowed, and the FIRs were quashed.

Case Title: ANSH JINDAL & ORS versus THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

Order Date: 22 August 2025

Bench: Justice Arun Monga