CRL.P/14012/2025 of SRI. SHARATH RAJ P.A Vs STATE OF KARNATAKA on 7 August 2026

ORAL ORDER

Petitioner – accused No.1, the husband is before this Court calling in question proceedings in C.C.No.250/2024, pending before the 7th Additional Senior Civil Judge and JMFC, Mysuru, for the offences punishable under Sections 498A and 504 of the IPC and Sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

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2. Learned counsel for the petitioner and respondent No.2 in unison submit that during the pendency of these proceedings, the parties to the lis have settled their matrimonial dispute amicably by drawing up certain terms and conditions. The parties have filed an application under Section 320 r/w. 482 of the Cr.P.C., supported by an affidavit, before this Court to that effect.

3. The affidavit reads as follows: “1. We submit that the above Criminal Petition has been filed by the Petitioner seeking quashing of Crime No. 38/2024 registered by Mahila Police Station, Mysuru, and the charge-sheet and entire proceedings in C.C.No. 250/2024 pending before the VII Additional Senior Civil Judge and JMFC, Mysuru, for the offence punishable under Sections 498A and 504 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

2. We submit that the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 are husband and wife and all the criminal proceedings arose solely out of matrimonial differences and a family dispute between us. With the intervention of elders, well- wishers and their respective counsel, the parties have voluntarily and amicably resolved all disputes between them.

3. We submit that in furtherance of the comprehensive settlement dated 02.07.2026, we both have presented a joint petition under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, in M.C. No. 663/2026 before the III Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Mysuru, seeking dissolution of their marriage by mutual consent.

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4. We submit that as a part of the full and final settlement, the Petitioner agreed to pay and Respondent No. 2 agreed to receive a one-time settlement sum of Rs. 12,00,000/- (Rupees Twelve Lakh only) towards permanent alimony and relinquish all her rights against the monthly maintenance awarded by the Hon'ble Prl. Judge Family Court, At Mysuru in Crl. Misc. No. 805/2024 vide its order dated 07/03/2026, which awarded the maintenance amount of Rs.20,000/- per month in favor of the Respondent No.2 and also in complete satisfaction of all claims for past, present and future maintenance arising out of the matrimonial relationship of the Petitioner and Respondent No.2.

5. We submit that the Petitioner and the Respondent have mutually agreed to settle the entire settlement amount of Rs. 12,00,000/- (Rupees Twelve Lakh only) while leading their evidence in M.C. No. 663/2026 before the Hon'ble III Additional Prl. Judge, Family Court, Mysuru, to Respondent No. 2 has agreed to accept the said amount by way of Demand Draft. Upon receipt and realization, the amount shall constitute full and final settlement of all her matrimonial monetary claims.

6. We submit that upon receipt of the aforesaid amount, the Respondent No. 2 declares that she shall not claim any past, present or future maintenance, permanent alimony, arrears of maintenance, litigation expenses or any other monetary relief from the Petitioner arising out of their marriage or from any cases between them and nothing survives to be claimed by Respondent No. 2 against the Petitioner on that account.

7. We submit that the Respondent No. 2 does not intend to continue the prosecution in C.C. No. 250/2024 pending on the file of the Hon'ble 7th Addl. Senior Civil Judge & JMFC, At Mysuru and has no objection whatsoever to this Hon'ble Court quashing the charge-sheet and the entire criminal proceedings against the Petitioner with her full consent being voluntary, informed without coercion, threat, undue influence or misrepresentation.

8. We submit that the offences alleged in the present case emanate from a matrimonial dispute of an overwhelmingly private and personal nature. In view of the genuine and

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comprehensive settlement, the possibility of a successful prosecution is remote, and continuation of the proceedings would serve no useful purpose and would amount to abuse of the process of Court.

9. We submit that the Hon'ble Supreme Court has recognized that the High Court may exercise its inherent jurisdiction to quash even non-compoundable criminal proceedings arising from matrimonial disputes when the parties have genuinely settled their differences, including in B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana, (2003) 4 SCC 675; Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, (2012) 10 SCC 303; and Jitendra Raghuvanshi v. Babita Raghuvanshi, (2013) 4 SCC 58.

10. We submit that we both undertake to remain bound by the settlement and respectfully request that the present Criminal Petition to be disposed of in terms thereof so that complete quietus may be given to the matrimonial litigation between us.”

Since it is a dispute between the couple and that the allegations are not against the State, I deem it appropriate to accept the application, the affidavit and terminate the proceedings against the petitioner.

4. For the aforesaid reasons, I pass the following:

ORDER

(i) The criminal petition is disposed.

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(ii) The proceedings in C.C.No.250/2024, pending before the 7th Additional Senior Civil Judge and JMFC, Mysuru, qua the petitioner, stands quashed.

Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE

NVJ List No.: 2 Sl No.: 61