"Settlement Arrived At Between Parties": J & K & L HC Quashes FIR Against Senior Officer Of IAF In Sexual Harassment Case
The Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh High Court quashed an FIR under Section 354-A IPC for the offence of sexual harrasment registered against a Senior Officer of the Indian Air Force.
The Court noted that during the pendency of the petition, both the contesting parties have entered into a compromise.
The bench of Rajnesh Oswal observed, “In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties, this Court is of the considered view that continuation of investigation in the impugned FIR shall not serve any purpose and rather would be an exercise in futility.”
In the present case, the Court was hearing a petition for quashing the FIR for the commission of an offence under Section 354-A IPC in which the FIR was registered by someone who is also a Senior Officer in the IAF.
The Court noted that the petitioner has issued a communication to the respondent and the same has been accepted by her.
According to the Court the respondent in her statement, has stated that she has accepted the communication issued by the petitioner to her. She has further stated that she has no objection if the FIR impugned is quashed by this Court.
The Court further noted that the petitioner too has stated that he will remain bound by the said communication and the dispute between the contesting parties has been settled.
“He has further stated that matter will never be publicised or put on social media by him.”, the Court noted.
Accordingly, the Court quashed the FIR.
Cause Title: X v. Y
Appearance:
Appellant: Adv. Ankur Sharma
Respondent: Dy. AG P. D. Singh and Adv. Aseem Sawhney