Safiya Bano Alias Shakira vs. The State Of U.P.

1

2024 INSC 166

SAFIYA BANO ALIAS SHAKIRA  AND OTHERS            …APPELLANT(S) VERSUS THE STATE OF U.P.  AND OTHERS               …RESPONDENT(S) J U D G M E N T B.R. GAVAI, J. 1. Leave granted. 2. In spite of being served, none appears for the wife­respondent No.2. th 3. This appeal challenges the order dated 24  July 2019, passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench, in Writ Petition (M/B) No. 17636 of 2019, vide which the petition filed by the present   appellants   under   Section   482   of   the   Code   of   Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short “Cr.P.C.”)  for quashing of the FIR No. 321 Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Deepak Singh Date: 2024.03.04 16:50:49 IST Reason: of 2019 for the offences punishable under Sections 498­A, 323, 504, 494, 377 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, “IPC”) against the 2 present appellants is rejected. th 4. While issuing notice on 20   September 2019, this Court had granted time to the appellants to file additional documents with regard to mediation which is stated to have taken place. 5. Accordingly, I.A. No. 161034 of 2019 has been filed for placing additional documents on record along with a copy of the mediation report. 6. The High Court has non­suited the appellants on the ground that the   averments   made   in   the   petition   disclosed   the   availability   of ingredients for an offence punishable under Section 498­A of IPC. 7. We   have   heard   Shri   Uzmi   Jameel   Husain,   learned   counsel appearing for the appellants and Shri Shaurya Sahay, learned counsel appearing for the respondents. 8. We   have   perused   the   FIR.   The   allegations   made   against   the present appellants, who are the husband’s relatives are general in nature, wherein   it  is   stated   that   the   appellants   harassed   her   and demanded   dowry.   No   specific   allegation   of   ill   treatment   is   made against any of the appellants. 9. In the appeal, a specific statement has been made to the effect that after a decree for restitution of conjugal rights was filed by the husband of the respondent No.2, the FIR has been filed only in order 3 to harass the husband and his entire family i.e. the appellants. 10. The averments made have gone unchallenged.  Apart from that, it also appears that there was an attempt to settle the matter, as can be seen   from   the   agreement   of   settlement   between   the   husband   and respondent No.2 (Wife). 11. It would be relevant to refer to clauses (1) and (6) of the said Settlement Agreement, which reads as under: “1. That   the   marriage   took   place   on   8.8.2014   Friday, between   First   party   and   Second   party   but   the   parties remained to live as husband and wife under one roof for few days. But due to increase in difference no harmony could be established. First party had given voluntarily given gifts to second   party   after   Niqah   and   for   that   compensation,   one lump sum amount was given to second party which she has received and now nothing is to be given and taken.  6. That   Second   party   shall   not   demand   any   amount towards maintenance for herself in future in any manner and nor she will have any right or claim in the ancestral or self acquired or sold, properties of the first party. Nor she will file any suit or claim nor she will file any application in any court and nor she will have any right to get the same from second party.   If   it   is   done   in     future   than   the   same   shall   be ineffectual and void in the face of this agreement.” 12. It appears that thereafter respondent No.2 changed her mind and did not proceed with the settlement. 13. In   any   case,   the   husband   is   not   before   us.   The   proceedings against husband can very well go on. However, insofar as the present appellants are concerned apart from the general and bald allegations, there is not even a whisper as to how the ingredients to constitute an 4 offence under Section 498­A of IPC are made out against the present appellants. 14. In the result, the appeal is allowed. The proceedings arising out th of FIR No. 321  of  2019  dated  24   April 2019  registered  at Police Station Thakur Ganj, District­Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh qua the present appellants shall stand quashed and set aside. 15. Needless   to   state   that   the   proceedings   against   the   present appellants would proceed in accordance with law. 16. Pending application(s), if any, stand disposed of. ….........................J.    (B.R. GAVAI) ….........................J.        (SANJAY KAROL) NEW DELHI; JANUARY 30, 2024 5 ITEM NO.15 COURT NO.3 SECTION II S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 8373/2019 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 24-07-2019 in MB No. 17636/2019 passed by the High Court Of Judicature At Allahabad, Lucknow Bench) SAFIYA BANO ALIAS SHAKIRA & ORS. Petitioner(s) VERSUS THE STATE OF U.P. & ORS. Respondent(s) Date : 30-01-2024 This petition was called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B.R. GAVAI HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KAROL For Petitioner(s) Mr. Mohd. Parvez Dabas, Adv. Mr. Uzmi Jameel Husain, Adv. Mr. Aqib Baig, Adv. Mr. Mohd. Shahib, Adv. Mr. Shams Khawaja, Adv. M/S. Shakil Ahmad Syed, AOR For Respondent(s) Mr. Shaurya Sahay, AOR Mr. Shobit Dwivedi, Adv. UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R 1. Leave granted. 2. The appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order. 3. Pending application(s), if any, stand disposed of. (DEEPAK SINGH) (ANJU KAPOOR) COURT MASTER (SH) COURT MASTER (NSH) [Signed order is placed on the file]