Delhi High Court Quashes FIR After Friends Settle Fight, Orders Community Service at Manipur Hospital

The Delhi High Court has ended criminal proceedings arising from a fight between friends, but made that relief conditional on community service and payment of costs.

Justice Prateek Jalan directed the petitioner and the fourth respondent to complete six community-service sessions, each lasting two hours, at the Regional Institute of Medical Science in Manipur. They must report to the hospital’s medical superintendent, who will assign their duties. The service must be completed within two months of its start, after which the superintendent must issue a compliance certificate for the court record.

The two men were also ordered to pay ₹10,000 collectively to the Delhi High Court Bar Association within two weeks. The court allowed the petition to quash an FIR registered at Dabri Police Station in March last year.

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I am of the view that it would be appropriate to make the relief sought subject to undertaking community service and paying appropriate costs.

The complaint alleged that the men had forcibly entered a rented flat occupied by one of them and assaulted him and his friend. One alleged victim was kicked and punched, fell headfirst onto a kitchen slab and suffered a head injury. The FIR did not allege the use of a firearm or sharp weapon, or any separate act intended to cause the head injury.

The parties told the court they had signed a settlement without coercion or undue pressure. The injured person had recovered and reported no lasting consequences. The court said the friends’ dispute had been resolved soon after the FIR was registered, and continuing the case would only prolong discord and hostility.

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In these circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no meaningful purpose and would only perpetuate discord and animosity between parties. The ends of justice would, therefore, be better served by bringing the proceedings to a quietus.