PATNA, India, July 1 -- Patna High Court issued the following judgment on June 27:

Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, learned counsel for the opposite party no. 2 and learned A.P.P. for the State.

2. This application has been preferred under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (in short, the 'Cr.P.C.') as to quash the FIR of Mahila P.S. Case No. 111 of 2021 dated 10.09.2021 for the offences punishable under Sections 323, 498A/34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, pending in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Patna.

3. The brief facts of the case is that on 10.09.2021, opposite party no. 2 lodged the aforesaid case against the petitioner and other accused persons alleging therein that her marriage with the petitioner was solemnized on 13.03.2019 at Patna in accordance with Hindu Rites and Customs, but the accused persons including the petitioner tortured her and demanded dowry.

4. It is submitted by learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner that the dispute between the parties now amicably settled, where both parties have dissolved their marriage under their mutual consent in view of Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act. It is submitted that the matter was posted for judgment on 03.07.2025, before the learned Principal Judge, Family Court, Patna. It is also submitted that permanent alimony of Rs. 37 Lakhs as agreed also now paid to opposite party no. 2.

5. It is pointed out that opposite party no. 2 namely, Richa Verma already withdrawn the maintenance case. It is submitted that in view of aforesaid compromise, now nothing survives in this matter, and, therefore, continuing with the present pending proceeding before the subordinate court would only amount to abuse of the process of the court of law. It is also submitted that beside present case, a domestic violence case was also preferred by the opposite party no. 2, which is pending before the court of learned A.C.J.M. - X, Patna as Domestic Violence Case No. 18/2022, and, therefore, to secure ends of justice, the same be also quashed/set aside along with present quashing petition.

6. Mr. Rashid Jafar, learned counsel appearing for the opposite party no. 2 has also affirmed the factum of compromise, as submitted aforesaid. It is submitted that he has no objection if the present criminal proceeding along with Domestic Violence Case bearing No. 18/2022, as lodged by the opposite party no. 2 be quashed in view of compromise as to secure the ends of justice.

7. Taking note of the aforesaid submission advanced by the parties, as the dispute between the parties amicably settled, where permanent alimony of Rs. 37 Lakhs already received by the opposite party no. 2, and also parties agreed to dissolve their marriage by way of mutual consent, where the matter is fixed for judgment on 03.07.2025, continuing of present pending criminal case and Domestic Violence Case No. 18/2022, before the learned trial court would only amount to abuse of the process of court of law.

8. Hence, FIR of Mahila P.S. Case No. 111 of 2021 dated 10.09.2021 along with Domestic Violence Case No. 18/2022, pending in the learned trial court/concerned court is hereby quashed/set aside with all consequential proceedings to secure the ends of justice.

9. Accordingly, this application stands allowed.

10. Let a copy of this judgment be sent the learned trial court for its immediate compliance.

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