Mumbai: The Bombay High Court quashed an FIR of sexual assault after noting that the parties settled their dispute amicably and the complainant no longer wished to pursue the case.The FIR was lodged at Arnala police station in Nov 2025 following a complaint by a woman that she was induced into a physical relationship on the assurance of marriage after meeting a man through a popular matrimonial website. However, the relationship later broke down when the man allegedly expressed unwillingness to marry, citing differences in religious and cultural backgrounds.
As the proceedings progressed, the woman submitted an affidavit before the HC stating that the matter was resolved amicably and that she had no objection to the quashing of the FIR. The court recorded that the affidavit was filed voluntarily, without any pressure or coercion, and that both parties were personally present and identified by their respective advocates.A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad observed that while courts are generally cautious in quashing criminal proceedings involving serious allegations, the inherent powers of the High Court can be exercised to secure the ends of justice depending on the facts of each case. Referring to a recent Supreme Court judgment, the Bench noted that continuation of the proceedings would serve no useful purpose once the complainant herself was unwilling to pursue the case.Advocate Nirali Sharma appeared for the victim and advocate Vijaykumar Mishra and advocate Kunal Patel for the accused. The state was represented by additional public prosecutor Mahalaxmi Ganapathy.
