Delhi High Court Directs Accused To Provide Sanitary Napkins To Girls' School As A Condition To Quash FIR

The Delhi High Court's Bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh has directed the accused to provide sanitary napkins to girls' school as a condition to quash the FIR registered against her under Sections 384 and 506 of Indian Penal Code.

In this case, FIR was registered on the complaint of one Brajesh Pandey who is an Advocate. It was stated that the petitioner-accused had sought legal professional consultancy from the complainant and his senior colleague.

It was alleged that despite rendering best professional services, the petitioner misbehaved and did not pay their professional fee.

During the pendency of the proceedings, a compromise was reached before the Delhi Mediation Centre, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi on wherein the parties decided to put a quietus to the FIRs and undertake to cooperate with each other in getting the FIRs quashed.

Advocate Sanjay Vashishtha appeared for the petitioner-accused whereas Additional Public Prosecutor Aashneet Singh appeared for the State of NCT of Delhi and Advocate Priyanshu Upadhyay appeared for the complainant.

The Court noted that "…I am of the view that no purpose would be served in prosecuting the complaint any further as the parties have arrived at a settlement and wish to put a quietus to the dispute between them."

However, the Court observed that considerable time of the police and judiciary was wasted.

"The police machinery has been put in motion on account of the acts of commission & omission on behalf of the parties and useful time of the police which could have been utilised for important matters has been misdirected towards this case. Hence, the parties must do some social good.", the Court observed.

Accordingly, the Court directed that "…the FIR is quashed subject to the petitioner providing sanitary napkins to a girls' school, which will be identified by the learned APP, not having less than 100 girls from Class-VI to XII for a period of 2 months."

The Court also directed the complainant Advocate to report to the office of DHCLSC and to undertake pro bono work to the best of his ability and capability for the next three months.

"With these observations and subject to the above directions, the FIR No. 206/2018 dated 23.10.2018 registered at PS Preet Vihar under Section 384/506 IPC and all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom are hereby quashed and the petition is disposed of. The needful shall be done within a period of 4 weeks starting from today.", the Court held.

Cause Title- Shilpi Chaudhary v. State of NCT of Delhi & Anr.

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