New Delhi
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a case against a 61-year-old man accused of outraging a woman’s modesty after he reached an agreement with the accuser, requiring him to plant 30 trees. Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, while considering the accused’s petition to quash the FIR filed under IPC section 354, noted the amicable resolution, deeming further legal action unnecessary and potentially abusive to the court’s process.
The court, in its ruling last month, nullified the FIR and subsequent proceedings, opting instead for a constructive resolution. It directed the accused to plant 30 saplings in the local area, managed by the competent authority. Failure to comply would result in a Rs 30,000 penalty to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority.
Initially accused in November 2016, the petitioner maintained that differences between him and the woman had been resolved. The court highlighted that while serious crimes cannot be dismissed through settlements, minor disputes with civil implications merit such considerations. Interaction with both parties revealed their desire to move past the issue, fostering harmony and indicating slim chances of conviction.
