In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has underscored the integrity of justice by refusing to quash a rape case simply because the victim and accused reached a financial settlement. The case, centered on allegations of sexual violence under Section 376 of the IPC, involved an accused who deceived the victim through false marital promises after meeting on social media.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma emphasized that criminal cases of this nature cannot be dissolved through financial transactions alone. Such actions, the Court argued, would reduce justice to a commodity for sale, undermining the gravity of offenses and the sanctity of legal proceedings.
The Court’s stance was clear: the FIR, crucial in safeguarding the victim’s rights and ensuring a fair trial, must proceed without compromise. It highlighted that justice serves not only to punish the guilty but also to set a precedent that deters such crimes and educates the community at large.
Advocate Shashak Jain represented the accused, while Additional Public Prosecutor Naresh Kumar Chahar, with Advocates Jasir Aftab and Md Hedayatullah, represented the State. This decision marks a pivotal moment in legal discourse, affirming that the pursuit of justice cannot be circumvented by private agreements but must uphold public trust and the principles of natural justice.
