Delhi High Court Quashes FIR in Flight Staring Case After Settlement

New Delhi, June 4 (PTI): The Delhi High Court has annulled an FIR filed against a man accused of persistently staring at a female co-passenger during a flight, following a settlement between the involved parties.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja noted that the parties had reached a mutual agreement and extending the legal proceedings would not yield any benefit.

The complainant affirmed before the court that she had willingly resolved the issue with the petitioner, free from any force, intimidation, or coercion, and expressed no objection to the quashing of the FIR. The FIR had been lodged for the offense of using or engaging in a "word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman."

The court stated on May 30, "Considering that the parties have amicably resolved the dispute, continuing with the current FIR under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, registered at PS IGI Airport, along with all related proceedings, serves no useful purpose."

Consequently, the FIR was quashed by the court.

The woman had alleged that during her flight from Indore to Delhi on May 28 of the previous year, the petitioner had caused her discomfort by persistently staring at her.

Upon landing, she had filed a written complaint with the police. The Delhi Police counsel indicated that, in light of the settlement, they had no objection to the withdrawal of the FIR and the accompanying chargesheet.