- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA WRIT PETITION NO. 19869 OF 2024 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: VITAASH KOTIMREDDY, S/O SRI. KOTIMREDDY SRIDHAR REDDY, AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.228, LEGEND CHIMES GANDIPET X ROAD, KOKAPET, K.V.RANGAREDDY, TELANGANA – 500 075. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. BADRI VISHAL, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY KANAKAPURA TRAFFIC POLICE STATION, BENGALURU, KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BEGNALURU – 560 001. 2. SUJIT KUMAR SEN, S/O LATE HARAN CHANDRA SEN, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.700/1, SARAT CHATTERJEE ROAD, FLAT A-2, GANGULY GATE, Digitally signed by SANJEEVINI J KARISHETTY Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 CHATTERJEEHAT, HOWRAH – 711 102, STATE OF WEST BENGAL. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. JAGADEESHA B. N., ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI. G.C.PRADEEP, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO QUASH THE COMPLAINT DTD. 31.03.2018 AND F.I.R BEARING CRIME NO. 22/2018 DTD. 31.03.2018 REGISTERED BY R-1 UNDER SECTIONS 279, 337, AND 304A OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE, 1860 PENDING ON THE FILE OF HON’BLE I ADDITIONAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, KANAKAPURA IN C.C.NO. 1043/2021 AT ANNX-B AND C RESPECTIVELY ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioner is before this Court seeking the following prayers: “1. Quash the Complaint dated 31.03.2018 and F. I. R. bearing Crime No. 22/2018 dated 31.03.2018 registered by Respondent No. 1 under Section 279, 337, & 304A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 pending on the file of Hon'ble I Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Kanakapura in C.C. No. 1043/2021 at ANNEXURE-B & C respectively. 2. Quash the proceedings in C. C. No. 1043/2021 pending on the file of Hon'ble I Additional Civil Judge - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 and JMFC, Kanakapura in C. C. No. 1043/2021 and Charge Sheet dated 25.09.2018 filed by Respondent No. 1 in Crime No. 22/2018 under Section 279, & 304A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, at ANNEXURE - A & D respectively. 3. Pass such other order as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of Justice and Equity.” 2. Heard Sri.Badrivishal, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Sri.Jagadeesha, learned Addl. SPP, appearing for respondent No.1, Sri.G.C.Pradeep, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2 and have perused the material on record. 3. During the subsistence of the proceedings, it transpires that parties to the lis have entered into settlement on the complainant receiving certain amounts, on account of which a settlement is drawn. The issue is whether it could be closed by way of a settlement being filed before this Court, particularly in the teeth of the offence under section 304A of the Indian Penal Code. The Delhi High Court has considered the issue in the case of SANTOSH vs. STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI AND ANOTHER, reported in 2024 SCC OnLine Del 7645, wherein, it is held as follows: “1. The instant criminal writ petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 (hereinafter “BNSS”) has been filed on behalf of the petitioner seeking the following relief: “A. Quash the F.I.R. NO. 48 of 2020, DATED 05.02.2020, REGISTERED WITH P. S. SAKET, U/S 279/337/304A IPC & 146/196 OF MV ACT, SOUTH DISTRICT, NEW DELHI and all the proceedings which are pending before the LD. ACJM- 46, South, Saket Court, New Delhi- 110017 against the petitioner.” 2. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an accused in FIR bearing no. 48/2020, dated 5th February, 2020, registered with Police Station – Saket, Delhi for offences punishable under Sections 279/337/304A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter “IPC”) and Sections 146/196 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter “MV Act”) which was registered as Cr. Case no. 7351/2021. 3. It is submitted that on 5th February, 2020, the accident in question took place at near Sainik Farms, Asian Market Red Light, Saket and on 12th February, 2020, due to the said accident, the injured namely late Sh. Beer Singh expired during treatment pursuant to which the Police added Section 304 A of the IPC in the aforesaid FIR. 4. It is submitted that subsequently, the final chargesheet under Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (hereinafter “CrPC”) along with a Detailed Accident Report was filed before the learned Presiding Officer, MACT, Saket Court, New Delhi (hereinafter “learned PO”). It is further submitted that in the claim petition bearing MACT No. 215/2021, filed by the respondent no. 2 before the learned PO, the concerned matter was transferred for mediation/settlement at the joint request of the parties. 5. It is submitted that both the parties have settled the dispute and have agreed to settle the MACT case No. 215/2021 as well as another matter bearing Cr. Case no. 7351/2021 vide settlement dated 1st November, 2023 arrived at between the parties before the Mediation Center, Saket Courts. 6. It is submitted that vide the aforesaid settlement, it was agreed between the parties that the petitioner herein shall pay an amount of Rs.4,00,000/ which has been duly paid by the petitioner in the Joint Account bearing No. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 20434838961 of the wife of the deceased husband, i.e., respondent no. 2 and her son. 7. It is submitted that after recording the aforesaid settlement and in terms of the settlement, the learned PO disposed of MACT case No. 215/2021 as settled vide order dated 12th January, 2024. 8. It is submitted that in support of the present petition, the respondent no. 2, i.e., the wife of the deceased has given her consent to quash the chargehseet/proceedings against the petitioner in FIR No. 48/2020 by way of a supporting affidavit which is appended as Annexure P-6 to the instant petition. 9. It is submitted that the petitioner is a young boy aged 25 years and has duly complied with the terms of the settlement, and no prejudice will be caused to the respondent no. 2 in the event the aforesaid FIR and proceedings emanating from them is quashed, therefore, the instant petition may be allowed. 10. Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties and perused the material placed on recod. 11. The petitioner has approached this Court seeking quashing of FIR No. 48/2020 and all the criminal proceedings emanating therefrom in view of the settlement arrived at between the parties vide the settlement dated 1st November, 2023 which is appended as Annexure P-4 to the instant petition. 12. Upon perusal of the records filed along with the instant petition, it is observed that the aforesaid FIR was registered under Sections 279/337 of the IPC and Sections 146/196 of the MV Act against the petitioner as he had caused an accident in which the husband of the respondent no. 2 was injured. However, the injured expired during his treatment following which the Police added Section 304A of the IPC against the petitioner in the chargesheet. 13. Thereafter, the parties arrived at a settlement dated 1st November, 2023 before the Mediation Center, Saket Courts, Delhi wherein the parties agreed to settle the dispute. It was agreed that the petitioner herein shall pay a sum of Rs. 4,00,000/- to the respondent no. 2 in full and final settlement of all her claims, and the said amount - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 was to be transferred in the joint account of the respondent no. 2 and her son namely Mr. Manish Rawat. 14. The petitioner has submitted that a sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- was transferred to the respondent no. 2 via online mode and the remaining amount of Rs. 3,00,000/- has been handed over to the respondent no. 2 by way of demand draft on 12th January, 2024. It has also been submitted that in light of the said compliance of the terms of the settlement, which has also been recorded by the learned PO in MACT No. 215/2021 in order dated 12th January, 2024, the said claim petition was disposed of as settled. 15. It has been further submitted that in the settlement arrived at between the parties, it was agreed at paragraph no. 2 that in case the petitioner herein decides to approach this Court for quashing of the FIR, the respondent no. 2 herein shall render necessary assistance as may be required. 16. Here, it becomes imperative to note that the instant criminal proceedings in respect of non-compoundable offences are private in nature and do not have a serious impact on the society especially when there is a settlement/compromise between victim/complainant and accused. 17. In the case of State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Laxmi Narayan and Ors., (2019) 5 SCC 688, the Hon’ble Supreme Court held that the powers conferred under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C (now Section 528 of the BNSS), can be exercised by the Courts to quash the criminal proceedings featuring non-compoundable offences, when the matter arises out of disputes of personal nature. Moreover, it is pertinent to satisfy the Court that the said non-compoundable offences are private in nature and does not have a serious impact on the society. 18. Furthermore, it was observed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Ramgopal and Ors. Vs. The State of Madhya Pradesh, 2021 INSC 568, that the extraordinary power enjoined upon the High Court under Section 482 of Cr.P.C (now Section 528 of the BNSS) can be invoked even when such a case falls within the ambit of non-compoundable offences given that the Court must be satisfied that the nature of the offence does not impact - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 the conscious of the society and that the compromise between the parties is voluntary and amicable. 19. 19. In such cases, it is a settled law that the High Court is required to consider the conduct and antecedents of the accused in order to ascertain that the settlement has been entered into by the victim/complainant by her own free will and has not been imposed upon her by the petitioner or any person related to him. 20. In the present case, the wife of the deceased, i.e., the respondent no. 2’s supporting affidavit is filed on record as Annexure P- 6 wherein she has stated her no objection to quash the aforesaid FIR. The relevant extracts of the same is as under: “..2. That the Deponent has no more grievances against the Petitioner and the disputes in question have already been settled compromised between the parties. 3. That a compromise between the parties has been arrived with their free consent, without any threat or pressure or coercion or undue influence before the Mediation Center Saket Court, New Delhi-110017 on 11.01.2023. 4. That the Deponent does not want to proceed with the FIR NO 48 OF 2020 DATED 05.02.2020, REGIS 1ERED WITH P.S SAKET, NEW DELHI, U/s 279/337/304A IPC & 146/196 MV ACT qua the Petitioner and she has no objection if the said FIR qua the Petitioner is quashed by this Hon'ble Court…” 21. It is pertinent to mention here that the respondent no. 2 in her supporting affidavit has categorically stated at paragraph no. 4 that she does not want to proceed with the aforesaid FIR qua the petitioner and that she has no objection if the said FIR is quashed by this Court. It has been deposed by the respondent no. 2 that the compromise arrived at between the parties has been arrived with her free consent, without any threat or pressure or coercion or undue influence before the Mediation Center. 22. Further, this Court has also perused the order dated 12th January, 2024 passed by the learned PO in MACT No. 215/2021, wherein the statement of the respondent no. 2 herein has been recorded with regard to the settlement - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 pursuant to which the said matter was disposed of. Relevant extracts of the said order are as under: “..Ld. counsels for the parties state that the matter has been settled in Mediation Centre on 01.11.2023 for a sum of Rs.4,00,000/-. The petitioner has received an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- online. Today also, the respondent Santosh has handed over a demand draft for a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- to the petitioner Pramila. Separate statement of the petitioner Smt. Pramila Devi recorded in this regard. In view of the statement, matter is disposed off as settled. ..” 23. Upon a meticulous examination of the material placed on record, this Court is of the view that the respondent no. 2 have settled the entire disputes amicably with the petitioner by her own free will without any pressure or coercion. There is also no allegation from respondent no.2 that the conduct and antecedents of petitioners have been bad towards her after the compromise. As per the settlement, the respondent no. 2 has received the entire settled amount. 24. In the instant case, as stated above, the parties have reached on the compromise and amicably settled the entire disputes without any pressure and therefore, this Court is of the considered view that in view of the settlement, this Court should exercise its powers under Section 528 of the BNSS and quash the proceedings. 25. In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties and the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the present petition is allowed. Accordingly, FIR bearing No. 48/2020 dated 5th February, 2020, registered at Police Station - Saket, Delhi for offences punishable under Sections 79/337/304A of the IPC and Sections 146/196 of the MV Act and all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom are, hereby, quashed. 26. Accordingly, the instant petition stands disposed of. Pending applications, if any, stands dismissed. 27. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith.” 4. The Joint Memo filed by the parties to the lis reads as follows: - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 “1. Petitioner has filed the present petition against the proceedings instituted in C.C. No. 1043/2021 pending on the file of I Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Kanakapura, pursuant to Chargesheet dated 25.09.2018 filed for offences punishable under Section 304(A) and 279 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 in Crime No. 22/2018 registered by Kanakapura Traffic Police Station. 2. During the pendency of the present proceedings, Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 at the instance of well- wishers have sought to resolve the disputes between the parties as per the terms mentioned hereinafter 3. Petitioner has agreed to pay a sum of Rs. 25,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Lakhs only) to Respondent No. 2 towards full and final settlement of all disputes between the parties. 4. The Petitioner has issued the following Demand Drafts in favour of Respondent No. 2 towards payment of the above sums, the receipt of which Respondent No. 2 has acknowledged towards full and final settlement. 1. DD bearing No. 002186 dated 23.01.2026, drawn on HDFC Bank, for a sum of Rs. 9,00,000/- (Rupees Nine Lakhs only). 2. DD bearing No. 002187 dated 23.01.2026, drawn on HDFC Bank, for a sum of Rs. 8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakhs only). 3. DD bearing No. 002188 dated 23.01.2026, drawn on HDFC Bank, for a sum of Rs. 8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakhs only). 4. With the receipt of the above payment, Respondent No. 2 has agreed to the following, a. Respondent No. 2 has agreed to not prosecute the Complaint dated 31.03.2018 filed before Kanakapura Traffic Police Station and FIR in Crime No. 22/2018 dated 31.03.2018 and Chargesheet dated 25.09.2018. - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 b. Respondent No. 2 shall not file any other proceedings civil, criminal, or any other proceedings against Petitioner arising out of the present dispute between the parties. 5. Respondent No. 2 has agreed to co-operate to take all necessary steps in order to close the C. C. No. 1043/2021 pending on the file of I Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Kanakapura. 6. Respondent No. 2 states that he has no further grievance or claim against the Petitioner, and he has no objection if the criminal proceedings are quashed by this Hon'ble Court. 7. Respondent No. 2 acknowledges and affirms that there was no gross negligence or rash driving on behalf of Petitioner but due to unavoidable circumstance causing demise of the victim. The reading of the complaint averments along with contents of the Chargesheet do not constitute the ingredients for Section 304(A) and 279 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and therefore, there would be no impediment for quashing the present proceedings. 8. Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 respectfully submit that the continuation of criminal proceedings will serve no fruitful purpose, as the matter is purely personal and accidental in nature, and the parties have resolved the dispute fully. 9. The parties jointly pray that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to accept this Joint Memorandum of Settlement and Quash the FIR in Crime No. 0022/2018 at Kanakapura Traffic Police Station and all consequent criminal proceedings against the Petitioner, in exercise of powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 10. The present settlement is not an admission of guilt or liability and intended to resolve disputes between the parties. 11. Both parties hereby declare that they have read and understood the contents of this Settlement, that the same has been executed out of their free will, and that they undertake to abide by its terms.” - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:5877 WP No. 19869 of 2024 5. In the light of the afore-quoted judgment and the Joint Memo having been filed by the parties to the lis, I deem it appropriate to terminate the proceedings against the petitioner in the subject petition. 6. For the aforesaid reasons, the following: O R D E R [I] Writ Petition is allowed. [II] Proceedings in C.C.No.1043/2021 (arising out of complaint and F.I.R bearing Crime No.22/2018 dated 31.03.2018) pending before the Hon’ble I Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Kanakapura, qua the petitioner, stands quashed. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE CBC List No.: 2 Sl No.: 44 CT:SS