Bombay High Court
VIJAY BAL CHITRE AND ORSversusMUKESH CHOTELAL MISHRA AND ANR
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
Holding
The High Court quashed the FIR and all related criminal proceedings, holding that continuation of the prosecution would be contrary to the interests of justice.
Summary
The petition arose from a labour dispute between the petitioners, who run a transportation business, and the Mal Vahatuk Sena Union over loading and unloading work, leading to a complaint of extortion for a demand of ₹1,000. The parties later reconciled and filed a consent affidavit seeking to terminate the criminal proceedings. The High Court examined its inherent power under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and the analogous Section 528 of the BNSS to quash FIR No. 17 dated 22 January 2021, which alleged offences under Sections 384, 386, 387 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Relying on the guidelines laid down in State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, the Court held that the prosecution was not in the interest of justice and that the FIR could be dismissed. Consequently, the petition was allowed and the FIR and all related proceedings were quashed.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court can quash the FIR and pending criminal proceedings under its inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC/Section 528 BNSS in view of the parties' settlement.
- Whether the alleged offences (extortion under IPC §§384, 386, 387 r/w 34) are amenable to quashment despite being non‑compoundable.
Legislation cited
- Bombay National Security Act (BNSS) — s. 528
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 482
- Indian Penal Code — s. 34, 384, 386, 387
Subjects
- extortion
- quash of FIR
- Section 482 CrPC
- Section 528 BNSS
- settlement
- abuse of process
- Article 226
- Indian Penal Code
- labour dispute
Judgment
94. CRI WP-4603-26.odt
Amberkar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 4603 OF 2026
Vijay Bal Chitre & Ors. .. Petitioners
Versus
Mukesh Chotelal Mishra & Anr. .. Respondents
....................
Mr. Rishi Bhuta a/w Ms. Sonali Dalvi i/b Ms. Sonali Sudesh Dalvi,
Advocates for Petitioners
Mr. Akshay Dhingale, Advocate for Respondent No. 1
Petitioners & Complainant present
...................
CORAM : MILIND N. JADHAV, J.
DATE : SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
P. C.:
1. Heard Mr. Bhuta, learned Advocate for Petitioners and Mr.
Dhingale, learned Advocate for Respondent No. 1.
2. Complainant and all Petitioners are present before this Court.
The dispute arose between the parties by virtue of the facility and
working conditions for the members of the Mal Vahatuk Sena Union
regarding loading and unloading work provided by Petitioners who are
running a transportation business.
3. Parties have reconciled their disputes. Though the complaint is
for extortion, at first blush it may appear serious, but the complaint is
lodged on the basis of a demand for ₹ 1,000 demanded by Petitioners.
Be that as it may, the consent affidavit dated 06.09.2026 filed by
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94. CRI WP-4603-26.odt
Complainant is before the Court. He would persuade the Court to put
an end to the criminal proceedings so that both parties can be free to
carry on with their work freely. Considering the lis in the present
matter and the nature of the lis, I am inclined to accept the request
made by parties for consent quashing.
4. Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 conferred
inherent powers on High Courts to pass such orders as are justified to
give effect to any order in the Court, prevent abuse of process of any
Court or secure the ends of justice. In the BNSS this provision stands
incorporated with Section 528 which substantially reproduces the
language and intent of Section 482 of the CrPC, 1973 High Courts
invoke this provision to step in where cases have been instituted with
malafide motives or to harass the accused person thereby avoiding
procedural harassment. It empowers Court to dismiss FIRs or criminal
proceedings if there is no prima facie case or evidence against the
accused person/s or if orders are made in violation of the principles of
natural justice. The exercise of such powers under Section 482 of CrPC
and now Section 528 of BNSS remains discretionary and varies from
case to case.
5. In State of Harayana vs Bhajan Lal1 the Supreme Court laid
down model categories and guidelines in paragraph No. 102 of the
1 1992 AIR 604
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said judgment in which the FIRs can be quashed. The Supreme Court
has furthered asserted that power under Section 482 is an
acknowledgment of "powers inherent" and not the source of powers
additional. It has held that even non compoundable offences can be
quashed where necessary. It has held that High Courts have to decide
whether the prosecution of an offence would further or be against the
interest of justice. It is also held that grievous offences such as murder,
rape, and dacoity cannot ordinarily be quashed even after settlement
because they involve societal implication.
6. In view of the above, Petition is allowed in terms of prayer
clause (a) which reads thus:-
“a. This Hon'ble Court be pleased to issue a Writ of Certiorari and/or
any other Writ, Order and/or Direction under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India and be pleased to call for the record and
proceedings in FIR bearing No. 17 dated 22nd January 2021
registered with Sahar Police Station, Mumbai, for offences
punishable under sections 384, 386, 387 r/w 34 of Indian Penal
Code and all proceedings arising therefrom including Police Cases
PW/6301668/2021 pending on the files of the Learned Judicial
Magistrate First Class, 63rd Court, Andheri, Mumbai, and after
ascertaining the legality and propriety thereof be pleased to
quash and set aside and all proceedings arising therefrom
including Police Cases PW/6301668/2021 pending on the files of
the Learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, 63rd Court, Andheri,
Mumbai in the interest of justice.
7. Petition is allowed and disposed.
Amberkar [ MILIND N. JADHAV, J. ]
Digitally signed
by RAVINDRA
RAVINDRA MOHAN
MOHAN AMBERKAR
AMBERKAR Date:
2026.09.19
16:20:12 +0530
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