Section 498A proceedings may be quashed after an amicable settlement and mutual-consent divorce.

The complainant married petitioner no. 1 on 19 February 2019 and alleged that he and his family members subjected her to cruelty for non-fulfilment of a dowry demand of ₹5,00,000.

The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Lakhisarai, took cognizance under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code in Complaint Case No. 229 of 2022 on 14 July 2022.

The parties later entered into a settlement dated 20 March 2023, and, after payment of ₹18,00,000 to the complainant, obtained a mutual-consent divorce decree dated 3 November 2023.

The complainant supported the petitioners’ request to quash the criminal proceedings.

Whether the High Court should quash the cognizance order under Section 498A IPC and the resulting prosecution in light of the parties’ settlement and mutual-consent divorce.

Whether continuation of the prosecution in these circumstances would amount to an abuse of the process of the court.

Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code concerns cruelty by a husband or his relatives. The High Court relied on its inherent power under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to quash proceedings where doing so is warranted to prevent abuse of the process of the court or secure the ends of justice.

Relying on Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, (2012) 10 SCC 303, and Mange Ram v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr., 2025 INSC 962, the Court stated that criminal proceedings arising from matrimonial disputes may be quashed where the parties have amicably settled their issues.

The Court considered the settlement, the payment of the agreed amount, and the mutual-consent divorce decree, noting that the complainant did not oppose quashing.

In light of those circumstances and the cited settlement principles, it concluded that continuing the prosecution would serve no useful or legitimate purpose and would amount to an abuse of the process of the court.

It quashed the order dated 14 July 2022 taking cognizance in Complaint Case No. 229 of 2022, along with all prosecution arising from it, and allowed the application.