Domestic violence proceedings may be quashed after a voluntary, fully performed matrimonial settlement.

The petitioners sought to quash the respondent’s proceedings under Sections 12, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, pending before the JMFC (Traffic Court–5), Bengaluru

The dispute arose from the parties’ marriage; the first petitioner and respondent had also pursued divorce proceedings, which were referred to mediation.

Under their settlement, the first petitioner agreed to pay the respondent ₹10,00,000 as full and final alimony, and the respondent agreed to withdraw the domestic-violence proceedings

The joint affidavit stated that the full amount had been paid, the marriage had been dissolved by decree, and the respondent voluntarily consented to quashing the pending proceedings

1. Whether the pending proceedings under the Domestic Violence Act should be quashed in light of the parties’ settlement and the respondent’s consent

2. Whether the criminal petition should be disposed of on the basis of that settlement.

The petition invoked the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (and was described as having been filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure)

The proceedings sought to be quashed arose under Sections 12, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

The Court also noted the parties’ mediated settlement under Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, read with Rule 24 of the Karnataka Civil Procedure (Mediation) Rules, 2005.

The order cites no precedent and sets out no further general test for quashing on settlement.

The Court considered the mediated settlement, the joint affidavit, the respondent’s express consent, payment of the agreed alimony, and the decree dissolving the marriage.

In view of those circumstances, it disposed of the petition on the basis of the settlement and quashed the Domestic Violence Act proceedings insofar as they concerned the petitioners.