Delhi HC quashes FIR arising out of fight between friends

The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR that was lodged following a fight between friends as the dispute has been amicably settled, and directed them to do community service at a hospital in Manipur.

Noting that the complainant and the two accused remain friends and harbour no subsisting grievance against each other, the High Court said the likelihood of the proceedings culminating in a conviction is remote and continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose.

“… I am of the view that it would be appropriate to make the relief sought (quashing of FIR) subject to undertaking community service and paying appropriate costs. The petitioner and respondent no. 4 (both accused) shall undertake community service for a total of six sessions of two hours each at Regional Institute of Medical Science, Manipur,” Justice Prateek Jalan said in an order passed on August 21.

The court said both the friends should report to the hospital’s medical superintendent, who would assign suitable duties to them. The community service should be completed within two months from the date of commencement, after which the medical superintendent would issue a compliance certificate and it should be placed on court’s record. The court also directed the two men to collectively pay Rs 10,000 to the Delhi High Court Bar Association within two weeks. The court passed the order while allowing a plea seeking quashing of an FIR lodged at the Dabri Police Station here.