Tendency To File Cases Under Sections 354/509 IPC In Disputes Between Neighbours To Settle Scores Needs To Be Curbed: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has held that the tendency of filing cases under Sections 354/509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in disputes between neighbors to settle scores needs to be curbed. The Single Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma held this while observing a rise in such instances.

In this case, the petitioner had prayed for quashing of FIR for offences punishable under Sections 354/452/506/509/354B/34 of the IPC.

The complainant stated that the parties who were neighbors had a dispute over some misunderstanding. He further stated that the cases were registered in 2017 and charges were framed already.

The Court observed that the parties delayed coming to the Court for compromise for quashing the FIRs, thereby consuming much judicial time and time of the investigating agency.

The Court held that "tendency to file cases under Sections 354/509 in disputes between neighbours to settle scores is on the rise and needs to be curbed. The complainants in both the cases are present and state that they do not want to pursue the matter as the matter has been amicably settled."

"However, considering that the parties have amicably settled the dispute out of their own free will, and without any coercion, it will be in the interest of justice that the FIRs are quashed subject to the accused persons depositing a sum of Rs. 10,000/- each in Lawyers' Welfare Fund, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi and the receipt thereof be filed before the Registry of this Court within a week", the Court held while quashing the FIR under Sections 354/452/506/509/354B/34 of the IPC.

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