$~46 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010268662026 + CRL.M.C. 4476/2026 & CRL.M.A. 18441/2026, CRL.M.A. 18442/2026 MOHAMMAD SHEHZAD .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Mohit Bangwal, Adv. along with the Petitioner-in-person. versus STATE NCT OF DELHI AND ANR .....Respondents Through: Mr. Nawal Kishore Jha, APP with Mr. Siddharth Shankar and Ms. Kalpana Jha, Advs. SI Abhay Bhati, PS Laxmi Nagar. Mr. Ravi Kant Dubey and Ms. Sonu Kumari, Advs. for the victim. Respondent No. 2-in-person. CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MADHU JAIN O R D E R % 17.08.2026 1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode. 2. By way of the present petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Petitioner seeks quashing of FIR No. 383/2014 registered at Police Station Shakarpur, Delhi, for the offence punishable under Section 354A(1) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘IPC’), along with all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, on the basis of the settlement arrived at between the parties. 3. The Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 are present before this Court and This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/08/2026 at 12:02:15 have been identified by their respective learned counsel as well as by the Investigating Officer (IO). 4. Briefly stated, the present FIR came to be registered on 18.02.2014 on the complaint of Respondent No. 2 in relation to an incident which allegedly took place at Mangal Bazar, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi. It was alleged that while Respondent No. 2 was present at the said market, the Petitioner had inappropriately touched her from behind, pursuant to which the police was called and the present FIR came to be registered. Upon completion of investigation, a chargesheet was filed for the offence punishable under Section 354A(1) of the IPC. 5. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that during the pendency of the proceedings, the parties amicably resolved their disputes and entered into a Compromise/Settlement Deed dated 23.02.2023. The matter was settled for a total sum of Rs. 35,000/-. It is submitted that the entire settlement amount stands paid to Respondent No. 2 and nothing further remains to be paid. 6. On a query made by this Court, Respondent No. 2 categorically states that she has entered into the aforesaid settlement out of her own free will and without any pressure, coercion or threat. She further confirms that she has received the entire settlement amount and that nothing further remains due and payable to her. Respondent No. 2 states that she has no surviving grievance against the Petitioner and has no objection if the present FIR and all proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed. 7. Considering the fact that the parties have amicably resolved their disputes, the settlement has been fully acted upon and Respondent No. 2 has categorically stated that she does not wish to pursue the criminal proceedings any further, no useful purpose would be served by continuing the proceedings This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/08/2026 at 12:02:15 arising out of the present FIR. Continuation of the criminal proceedings, despite the settlement having been fully acted upon, would only prolong the dispute between the parties. Accordingly, in the facts and circumstances of the present case and in order to secure the ends of justice, this Court is of the view that the present petition deserves to be allowed. 8. Accordingly, FIR No. 383/2014 registered at Police Station Shakarpur, Delhi, for the offence punishable under Section 354A(1) of the IPC, along with all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, is hereby quashed. 9. The present petition is disposed of. Pending application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of. 10. A copy of the order be sent to the learned Trial Court for necessary information and compliance. 11. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. MADHU JAIN, J AUGUST 17, 2026/ys/m This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/08/2026 at 12:02:15