The Delhi High Court recently overturned a first information report (FIR) filed against two individuals in a cheating case, provided they serve at a Gurudwara of their choice for two consecutive weekends.

Justice Amit Mahajan issued the order after the counsel for the accused informed the court that the dispute had been amicably resolved between the parties and that the FIR had been filed due to a misunderstanding.

The court observed that continuing with the criminal case would serve no beneficial purpose and, therefore, decided to quash the FIR against the accused on the condition that they volunteer at a Gurudwara of their choice for two consecutive weekends.

"FIR No. 26/2024 and all consequential proceedings arising therefrom are quashed, subject to the petitioners serving in a Gurudwara of their choice on two consecutive weekends. Let the certificate of completing the service in Gurudwara or the affidavit to this effect with photographs be furnished to the Registry of this Court," the Court said in its November 8 order.

The Court was considering a plea filed by two individuals (petitioners) seeking the quashing of criminal proceedings against them under Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). An FIR was registered at the Rajouri Garden police station based on a complaint accusing the petitioners of defrauding a man by selling substandard lubricant oil worth₹30,000–₹40,000 after receiving a payment of₹20 lakhs.

However, the petitioners' counsel informed the Court that the dispute had been resolved through a Memorandum of Settlement dated October 18, 2024, with the entire settlement amount already paid to the complainant. The complainant also expressed his desire to not pursue the case and had no objection to the FIR being quashed.

Noting that the offence under Section 420 of the IPC is compoundable, the Court decided to quash the case, contingent on the petitioners offering their services at a Gurudwara for two consecutive weekends.