Name of the Case: Madhukar & Ors. vs. The State of Maharashtra & Anr.
Citation: 2025 INSC 819
Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sanjay Kumar
Date: 14.07.2025
In a notable exercise of its inherent powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, the Hon’ble Supreme Court allowed the quashing of criminal proceedings under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, upon the complainant’s persistent expression and unequivocal statement of disinterest in pursuing the matter. The complainant, now married and settled, submitted that any further prosecution would only disrupt her personal and marital life and peace of mind. She further made the Hon’ble Court aware of INR 5,00,000/- having been paid towards her marital expenses by the accused.
While acknowledging the gravity of the allegations under Section 376 IPC, the Hon’ble Apex Court reiterated that ordinarily such heinous offences cannot be quashed merely on the basis of compromise. However, considering the peculiar facts in the present case where the FIR by the victim was only registered the immediate day after a FIR being lodged by the opposite party, and considering the settled nature of the dispute and the categorical stance maintained by the complainant, the Hon’ble Court held that continuing the proceedings would be futile and an abuse of process. Accordingly, the Hon’ble Apex Court directed that both the FIRs and any ongoing proceedings stand quashed1.
