"Judicial System, State Resources Burdened; Litigants Must Be Conscious Of Their Actions": Delhi HC Condemns Lodging FIRs On Frivolous Issues

The Delhi High Court has condemned the practice of lodging FIRs on frivolous and minor issues, adding that the Judicial system and state resources are already heavily burdened and litigants must be conscious of their actions.

A single judge bench comprising of Justice Jasmeet Singh added that such an exercise is nothing but an abuse of the process of law which must be discouraged in its entirety.

"Parties before lodging an FIR, must have due regard as to not only the nature and gravity of what offences they are alleging but also the state and police resources that go into investigating those matters, which are ultimately put up before court to only be quashed," the Court said.

The Court made the said observation while dealing with two petitions seeking quashing of FIRs registered under sec. 323, 341, 354, 509 and 34 of Indian Penal Code along with all proceedings emanating from it.

The issue pertained to car parking in the neighbourhood which turned into an ego clash resulting in registration of the FIR.

It was thus submitted that the parties had arrived at a settlement pursuant to which their disputes were settled and that they did not wish to prosecute the matter any further.

"Since the parties have settled the matter and do not wish to prosecute the FIR any further, I think, it is a fit case for quashing the FIR," the Court said.

The Court however imposed a cost of Rs. 15,000 on the petitioners to be deposited with DHCLSC within 4 weeks.

Case Title: JAI KUMAR JAIN AND ORS v. STATE GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI AND ORS.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 503

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