Domestic Violence Act – Applicability to Married Sister-in-Law Residing Separately – Question of Domestic Relationship – The High Court addressed whether a married sister-in-law, living separately in her own matrimonial home, can be included in a domestic violence case under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (DV Act). The court examined the definitions of 'aggrieved person', 'domestic relationship', 'respondent', and 'shared household' in the DV Act. The Metropolitan Magistrate had dismissed the application against the petitioner, determining that no 'domestic relationship' existed as they never lived together in the shared household. The Sessions Court reversed this decision, which was challenged in this petition. [Para 2-5, 14, 27]

Interpretation of 'Domestic Relationship' under DV Act – The court emphasized that 'domestic relationship' is pivotal to ascertain whether a party can be an aggrieved person or respondent in a DV application. The core requirement for a 'domestic relationship' is living together in a shared household, either in the past or present. The case highlighted the distinction between actual residence and the right to reside in a shared household for establishing a domestic relationship. [Para 15, 20-21]

Distinction in Facts and Legal Interpretation – The court distinguished the petitioner's case from other decisions cited, where the aggrieved person's right to reside in the shared household established a domestic relationship. The court found these precedents inapplicable, as the petitioner, a married sister-in-law, lived separately and did not share a household with the respondent. [Para 17-19, 22-23, 26]

Decision – Dismissal of DV Application Against Petitioner – The High Court concluded that there was no subsisting domestic relationship between the petitioner and the respondent, as required under the DV Act. The mere occasional visits of the petitioner to the shared household did not constitute a domestic relationship. The court thus quashed the Sessions Court's order and reinstated the Metropolitan Magistrate's decision, dismissing the DV application against the petitioner. [Para 27-28]

Wakf Property – Suit Challenging Waqf Board’s Declaration: Challenge to the Maharashtra State Wakf Board's declaration of a property as Wakf property – Original defendants (applicants) contested the judgment of the Maharashtra State Wakf Tribunal, Aurangabad, in Wakf Suit Nos.4 of 2014 and 6 of 2014, which declared orders of the CEO of the Maharashtra State Wakf Board regarding the suit property as null and void. [Para 2, 4, 6]

Land Ownership – Tenancy Rights vs. Wakf Declaration: Dispute over the nature of the property – The plaintiff claimed the suit land as inherited tenanted property, while defendants argued it was Wakf land based on Government Gazette notification and Wakf Board's declaration. [Para 7, 8, 9]

Judicial Review of Wakf Tribunal and Board's Decision: Examination of the validity of the Maharashtra State Wakf Tribunal and the Wakf Board's decisions – Tribunal found in favor of the plaintiff, declaring him the owner and possessor of the suit land and setting aside the CEO’s orders as illegal. [Para 12, 13, 14]

Jurisdiction of Wakf Board Over Tenancy Rights: Assessment of Wakf Board's jurisdiction in relation to tenancy rights established under the Tenancy Act – Court held that Wakf Board does not have overriding jurisdiction over tenancy issues decided under the Tenancy Act. [Para 24, 25]

Limitation Period for Challenging Wakf Board's Orders: Discussion on the limitation period for challenging orders of the Wakf Board under Section 54 of the Wakf Act, 1995 – Tribunal's decision upheld as the plaintiff filed petitions within the prescribed limitation period from the date of knowledge of the impugned orders. [Para 31, 32, 40]

Validity of Government Gazette Notification in Declaring Wakf Property: Examination of the legality of Government Gazette notification declaring property as Wakf – Court held that mere issuance of notification without a survey under the Wakf Act does not constitute valid declaration of a Wakf property. [Para 28, 29]

Decision of High Court: High Court dismissed the revision applications, affirming the Tribunal's findings and decisions – Held that the impugned orders of the Wakf Board were void and that the plaintiff was the legitimate owner of the suit land. [Para 44, 45]

Factual Background – Complaints were made by the petitioner under Sections 498A and 406 IPC against her husband and in-laws, alleging severe demands for dowry and subsequent physical and mental cruelty after her marriage in 1998 – The FIR was filed in December 2002 and charge-sheet filed in July 2004 – Magistrate took cognizance on the same day the charge-sheet was filed [Paras 2-3].

Quashing of Cognizance under Limitation Period – Criminal Miscellaneous Case – Delhi High Court sets aside Sessions Court judgment – Accused discharged from charges under Section 498A/34 IPC challenged – Held, the cognizance was not time-barred; period calculated from the date of filing the complaint, not the date of cognizance by the Magistrate – Following Supreme Court precedents, cognizance by Magistrate under Sections 498A/406 IPC valid despite delay in FIR registration. [Paras 12-18]

Role of Police Officer as Complainant – Analyzing bias against police officers in domestic violence cases – Held, the status of a complainant as a police officer does not negate the possibility of being a victim of domestic violence; stereotypes about professional toughness dismissed – Importance of impartial judicial assessment without bias reiterated. [Paras 24-30]

Gender Neutrality in Judicial Decision-Making – Discussed the need for gender neutrality in judiciary – Highlighted the misconception that women in authoritative roles cannot be victims of domestic abuse – Emphasized on judicial education to combat hidden biases and uphold gender neutrality in legal proceedings. [Paras 31-36]

Decision – Reinstatement of Charges – Delhi High Court reverses Session Court’s discharge of accused – Cognizance of charges under Sections 498A/34 IPC upheld – Case remanded back to the trial court for continuation of proceedings. [Paras 45-49]

Quashing of Summoning Order - Application under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. to quash summoning order dated 22.07.2022 in Complaint Case No.83520 of 2021 under Section 138 N.I. Act - Allegations of fraudulent issuance and dishonor of cheques worth Rs. 5 Crores each for a hotel sale transaction. [Paras 3-5, 7, 10, 15]

Discrepancies in Cheque Transactions - Allegations of lost cheques and forged signatures - Cheques presented with forged signatures and mismatched details - Bank's alleged failure to adhere to proper procedure in dishonor of cheques. [Paras 8, 11-13, 15]

Legal Interpretation of Section 138 N.I. Act - Strict interpretation required - Dishonor of cheque for insufficiency of funds or amount exceeding the arrangement with the bank - Necessity of legally enforceable debt or liability for offense under Section 138. [Paras 28, 29]

Trial Court's Failure to Properly Assess Evidence - Impugned summoning order passed without considering evidence presented by applicants - Prima facie observations suggest significant differences in signatures on cheques and sale deed - Forensic report supporting applicants' claim. [Paras 22-25, 34]

Distinction Between Civil Wrongs and Criminal Offences - Present case predominantly a civil wrong - Lack of ingredients for a criminal offense under N.I. Act - Possibility of parties entering into an agreement or MoU and compounding offense. [Paras 26, 27, 31]

Remand to Trial Court for Fresh Adjudication - Summoning order and entire proceeding set aside - Trial court directed to pass a fresh order within four months considering the Supreme Court's judgments and observations made. [Para 40]

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 482 – Quashing of Criminal Proceedings – The Allahabad High Court exercised its inherent powers under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 to quash the criminal proceedings in four interconnected cases. The cases involved allegations of kidnapping and abduction for marriage, with applicants seeking to quash the charges and subsequent proceedings. [Para 1, 18]

Factual Matrix – Each case shared a common factual pattern where the couples, having attained majority, had eloped and married against the wishes of their families. Subsequent criminal proceedings were initiated by the families alleging kidnapping and abduction under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC. [Para 6, 11]

Legal Analysis – The Court analyzed the legal provisions and the circumstances of each case, noting that the couples had voluntarily chosen their partners and were living as married couples with children. The Court observed that continuing the criminal proceedings would cause undue hardship and stress to the families involved. [Para 10-17]

Judicial Approach – Balancing Law and Social Dynamics – The Court emphasized the need to balance strict legal provisions with the dynamics of society and individual rights. It acknowledged the role of the judiciary in considering the broader implications of its decisions on individuals and societal order. [Para 15, 16]

Precedents – Reference was made to similar judgments by the Supreme Court of India, which upheld the rights of individuals over the age of 18 to make their own life choices, including the choice of a life partner. [Para 13, 14]

Decision – Quashing of Criminal Proceedings – The Court quashed the criminal proceedings against the applicants, citing the need for a humane approach in the application of law and considering the well-being of the young couples and their children. The Court held that further prosecution would only cause unwarranted hardship. [Para 18, 19]

Quashing of FIR and Criminal Proceedings – Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. for quashing FIR lodged at Crime No.999 of 2018 under Sections 498A, 323, 506, 34, 325, and 313 of IPC after mutual divorce settlement – Involves matrimonial dispute between petitioners and respondent no. 2, leading to various legal proceedings and eventual mutual divorce [Paras 2, 4-5].

Matrimonial Dispute and Legal Proceedings – Marriage of petitioner no. 1 and respondent no. 2 led to disputes and numerous cases, including divorce petitions, maintenance claims, domestic violence allegations, and eventual mutual divorce decree [Para 4].

Agreement and Settlement in Mutual Divorce – As per divorce settlement, respondent no. 2 agreed to withdraw all cases post receiving Rs. 50 lakhs, but did not withdraw the present case, leading to this petition [Paras 5, 12-13].

Allegation of Illegal Abortion – Charges under Section 313 of IPC for alleged illegal abortion, based on Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) report from Bombay Hospital, challenged as being falsely implicated [Paras 6-7, 14-15].

Abuse of Legal Process – Allegations of misuse of the legal process by respondent no. 2, holding the case as a tool of harassment against petitioners [Paras 16, 18, 20].

Court's Observation – Court noted misuse of the legal process, no substantiation for Section 313 IPC charge, and deliberate non-withdrawal of the case by respondent no. 2 despite mutual divorce settlement [Paras 14-16, 19-20].

Decision – Court allowed both petitions, quashed FIR, and subsequent criminal proceedings; imposed costs of Rs. 1 lakh on respondent no. 2 for misuse of court's process, to be paid to petitioner no. 1 [Paras 20-21

Criminal Procedure – Quashing of Summoning Order – Applicants sought to quash summoning order issued in relation to alleged dishonor of cheques under Section 138 of the N.I. Act – Allegation of issuance of cheques in lieu of service fee per MoU – Applicants contested validity of authorization and claimed cheques were misplaced and presented fraudulently – Court found significant procedural lapses and errors in summoning order by trial court – Lack of proper inquiry under Section 202 Cr.P.C. and mechanical issuance of summoning order noted [Paras 1-19].

Negotiable Instruments – Validity of Cheques – Applicants argued no enforceable debt existed at the time cheques were issued – Discrepancies in signatures on cheques and authorization letter questioned – Court observed differences in signatures on cheques and sale deed, corroborated by forensic expert – Forensic evidence supported claim of different signatories on cheques [Paras 23-25].

Legal Interpretation – Section 138 of N.I. Act – Emphasis on strict interpretation of penal provisions – Court cited necessity of proving legally enforceable debt or liability for offense under Section 138 – Court highlighted Supreme Court's stance on preconditions for valid initiation of prosecution under N.I. Act [Paras 28-32].

Judicial Review – Exercise of Inherent Powers – High Court invoked inherent powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to prevent abuse of process – Summoning order and entire proceedings found unsustainable – Directions issued for fresh order by trial court within prescribed timeline [Paras 33-41].

Decision – Application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. allowed – Summoning order dated 22.07.2022 and entire proceedings in Complaint Case No. 83520 of 2021 set aside – Case remanded to trial court for fresh consideration [Para 40].

Petitioner's Challenge to FIR Transfers – Petitioners challenged the transfer of FIRs related to alleged violations of Prize Chits and Money Circulation Scheme Act to different regional offices of CBCID – Alleged violation of fundamental rights due to potential for multiple arrests and investigations for the same incident – Issue of whether different transactions at various company malls constitute separate crimes [Paras 3-9, 14].

Counter Affidavit by Respondents – Respondents denied allegations – Argued each mall transaction constitutes a separate crime, warranting separate investigations – Asserted that combining multiple complaints could lead to confusion and jeopardize justice [Paras 6-7, 15-16].

Court's Analysis and Decision – Court observed that each mall establishment of petitioners' company in different locations led to separate incidents and crimes – Held that separate investigations for each transaction were justified – Dismissed writ petitions, finding no merit – Granted liberty to petitioners to challenge the final report if irregularities are found [Paras 12-19].

Appeal Against FIR Order Under SC/ST Act – Challenging order for FIR against ACP Bijender Singh under SC/ST Act for alleged misconduct during investigation of FIR No. 261/2019 – Original case involved parking dispute between complainant and police personnel, leading to allegations of atrocity under the SC/ST Act. [Paras 1, 2]

Investigation Conduct and Chargesheet Filing – Appellant, as Investigation Officer, filed chargesheet under SC/ST Act and IPC without arresting accused, citing Arnesh Kumar vs. State of Bihar – Complainant's application against appellant for not supplying chargesheet copy and not arresting accused. [Paras 3-8, 18-20, 66-69]

Administrative Enquiry Requirement – Emphasis on necessity for administrative enquiry before initiating criminal proceedings against a public servant – Appellant exonerated in administrative enquiry. [Paras 11-15, 43-47, 57]

Natural Justice Principles – Allegations of violation of principles of natural justice due to absence of hearing opportunity for appellant. [Paras 13, 14, 57]

Court's Observation on Investigation Role – Court's analysis on limits of judicial interference in investigation process – Reinforcement that investigation is police’s domain, and court's role begins post chargesheet filing. [Paras 62-65]

Order – Impugned order for FIR against appellant set aside – Emphasis on appropriate use of SC/ST Act provisions and judicial prudence in handling disputes involving public servants. [Paras 76-80]