The Allahabad High Court has brought an end to a long-running criminal dispute from Gonda district, quashing all proceedings after the complainant and accused informed the court that they had resolved their differences amicably.
The order was passed by Justice Brij Raj Singh of the Lucknow Bench on January 5, 2026, while hearing a petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which allows High Courts to use their inherent powers to prevent misuse of the legal process.
Background of the Case
The case arose from a private complaint filed in 2022 by Hemant Shukla against Raksharam Tiwari and others. The allegations led to a summoning order by a Gonda trial court for offences under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (mischief causing damage), and 504 (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code.
Challenging this, the accused approached the High Court seeking to quash not only the summoning order but also a subsequent revisional order passed in July 2023. They argued that the dispute was personal in nature and no longer survived, as both sides had chosen to settle the matter outside court.
Settlement Before the Court
During the hearing, the High Court was informed that the parties had participated in mediation proceedings at the Mediation and Conciliation Centre of the court. A formal settlement agreement was placed on record through a report dated October 28, 2025.
Counsel appearing for the complainant confirmed the settlement and clearly stated that there was no objection if the criminal proceedings were brought to an end. Both sides were present before the court and reiterated that the dispute had been resolved voluntarily.
Court’s Observations
Justice Brij Raj Singh noted that the Supreme Court has, in several judgments, recognised the power of High Courts to quash criminal proceedings when parties settle disputes that are essentially private in nature.
Referring to earlier rulings, the bench observed that such powers can be exercised even in cases involving non-compoundable offences, provided the offences are not grave or serious enough to affect society at large.
Read also:- Delhi High Court Refuses to Reopen Rent Dispute, Clears Way for Eviction Over Landlord’s Business Need
“The guiding factor,” the court observed, “is whether continuing the criminal proceedings would serve any meaningful purpose or merely prolong a dispute that no longer exists.”
The court also underlined that offences like murder or rape, which have serious social impact, stand on a different footing and cannot be quashed merely on the basis of compromise. However, the present case did not fall in that category.
Why the Case Was Quashed
After examining the nature of allegations and the settlement between the parties, the court concluded that the dispute had a personal character and did not involve any larger public interest.
Justice Singh noted that since both sides had buried their differences, the possibility of conviction had become remote. Allowing the trial to continue would only burden the courts and cause unnecessary hardship to the parties.
Read also:- Supreme Court Defers Unitech Homebuyers' Pleas, Sets Fresh Hearing Amid Crowd of Pending Applications
“No useful purpose would be served by prolonging the proceedings,” the order recorded, while emphasising the need to secure the ends of justice.
Final Decision
Allowing the application, the Allahabad High Court quashed the entire criminal proceedings pending before the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Gonda, insofar as they related to the applicants.
With this order, the complaint case that began in 2022 now stands closed, bringing formal legal closure to the dispute after nearly four years of litigation.
Case Title: Raksharam Tiwari and Others vs State of U.P. through Principal Secretary (Home), Lucknow & Another
Case Number: No. 7275 of 2023
Date of Decision: January 5, 2026
