After Complainant Settles Prawn-Pond Dispute, Gujarat HC Quashes FIR Against Five Accused

The petitioners sought quashing of FIR I-CR No. 11199034260327 of 2026, registered at Kavi Police Station, Bharuch, for offences under Sections 118(1), 115(2), 352, 351(3) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act

The complainant stated by affidavit that the dispute arose from a disagreement concerning a prawn pond and aquaculture activity, that the parties had settled the matter amicably, and that he had no objection to quashing the FIR against the petitioners

The complainant confirmed the settlement and his no-objection before the Court by video conference

The Court relied on Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, Madan Mohan Abbot v. State of Punjab, Nikhil Merchant v. CBI, Manoj Sharma v. State, Narinder Singh v. State of Punjab and State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal

Applying the settlement and quashing principles reflected in those decisions, the Court considered whether, in light of the nature and circumstances of the dispute, continuing the criminal proceedings would serve a useful purpose or instead amount to an abuse of process.

The judgment identified the charged offences as Sections 118(1), 115(2), 352, 351(3) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act

The Court considered the complainant’s affidavit and his confirmation in court that the settlement was voluntary and that he did not object to quashing the FIR

In view of the settlement and the circumstances recorded, the Court concluded that allowing the prosecution to continue would amount to an abuse of the process of law and would serve no fruitful purpose.

It therefore found that quashing was warranted to secure the ends of justice