After Complainant Confirms Settlement, Gujarat HC Quashes Vejalpur FIR Against Two Petitioners

The petitioners sought quashing of FIR CR No. I-11191028250015 of 2025, registered at Vejalpur Police Station, Ahmedabad, and the proceedings arising from it

They submitted that the dispute had been amicably settled and relied on the original complainant’s affidavit stating that the settlement was voluntary and that he had no objection to quashing

The complainant appeared before the Court, confirmed the settlement, and reiterated that he had no objection to quashing the FIR and consequential proceedings

The State opposed the petition, citing the seriousness of the allegations

The Court relied on Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, (2012) 10 SCC 303; Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab, (2008) 4 SCC 582; Nikhil Merchant v. CBI, 2009 (1) GLH 31; Manoj Sharma v. State, 2009 (1) GLH 190; Narinder Singh v. State of Punjab, (2014) 6 SCC 466; and State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, AIR 1992 SC 604

Applying the principles in those authorities, the Court considered whether, in view of the settlement and the circumstances of the case, continuing the criminal proceedings would serve the ends of justice or instead amount to an abuse of process

The complainant’s affidavit recorded a voluntary settlement and his lack of objection to quashing; his appearance and confirmation before the Court further supported that position

Although the State opposed quashing on the ground that the allegations were serious, the Court considered the settlement and the cited authorities and concluded that continuing the prosecution would amount to an abuse of process and serve no fruitful purpose