Delhi High Court Quashes Sexual Harassment Case Against Employer Based On Settlement, Orders 6 Months Community Service

The Delhi High Court, while quashing a Sexual Harassment Complaint against an Employer based on a settlement with the employee, has ordered him to do 6 months of community service.

The Court was considering a Petition seeking quashing of the FIR under Sections 354(A), 354(D) and 509 of the Indian Penal Code.

The Bench of Justice Ravinder Dudeja observed, "In the interest of justice, the petition is allowed, and FIR no. 252/2022 registered on 19.05.2022 under sections 354(A)/354(D)/509 at PS Naraina and all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom is hereby quashed subject to condition that petitioner shall perform community service at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Delhi [“LNJP Hospital”] on every Sunday for the next six months. The petitioner shall appear before the Medical Superintendent of the LNJP Hospital on coming Sunday, who shall assign him community service work."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh, while the Respondent was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Hitesh Vali.

Facts of the Case

The FIR was filed on the Victim’s Complaint that during her employment, the Accused Employer persistently sexually harassed, stalked, and humiliated her through obscene remarks, unwelcome physical contact, and social media stalking, and later threatened her to withdraw the complaint, attracting offences under Sections 354A, 354D, and 509 of the Indian Penal Code. The Chargesheet was filed under Sections 354(A), 354(D), 509, 506 and 354 of the Indian Penal Code.

Referring to Supreme Court's ruling in Gian Singh vs State of Punjab (2012), wherein the Court recognized the need of amicable resolution of disputes, the Court ordered, "In view of the aforesaid circumstances and the fact that parties have put a quietus to the dispute, no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the present FIR no. 252/2022 registered on 19.05.2022 under sections 354(A)/354(D)/509 at PS Naraina and all the other consequential proceeding emanating therefrom."

The Petition was accordingly allowed.

Cause Title: Karan Moolchandani vs. The State of NCT Of Delhi & Anr. (2025:DHC:6346)

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