After Complainant Settles Dispute, Gujarat HC Quashes Ahmedabad FIR and Criminal Case Against Five Accused

The petitioners sought quashing of FIR C.R. No. 11191022260607/2026, registered at Isanpur Police Station, Ahmedabad, for offences under Sections 118(2), 189(2), 189(4), 191(2), 191(3), 118(1), 115(2), 296(b), 351(3) and 54 of the BNS, and Section 135(1) of the Gujarat Police Act, together with the consequential proceedings in Criminal Case No. 254001/2026

The petitioners stated that the dispute had been amicably settled. The original complainant appeared, filed an affidavit confirming the settlement, and stated that he had no objection to quashing. The APP 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 these authorities, the Court considered whether, in light of the settlement and the circumstances of the case, continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve a useful purpose or amount to an abuse of process.

The judgment does not identify a specific statutory provision as the source of the quashing power

The Court considered the settlement affidavit and the complainant’s confirmation in person that the dispute was resolved and that he did not wish to pursue the proceedings.

Having regard to the cited authorities, the Court concluded that continuing the prosecution would amount to an abuse of process and serve no fruitful purpose. It therefore rejected the APP’s objection based on the seriousness of the allegations in the circumstances of this case