25/04/2026
In 2016, a woman filed an FIR against her husband and in-laws alleging cruelty, assault, and intimidation. Like many matrimonial cases in India, the litigation continued for years.
Later, both parties reached a settlement and filed a joint affidavit before the Odisha High Court, stating that they no longer wished to continue adversarial proceedings against each other.
The key question before the Court was whether an FIR involving non-compoundable offences could still be quashed after settlement.
The Odisha High Court took a practical view and observed that matrimonial disputes, though sometimes framed under criminal law, are often essentially civil in nature. The Court noted that prolonged litigation usually creates bitterness, and when parties have genuinely settled, reconciliation and closure should be encouraged.
Accordingly, the FIR against the husband and in-laws was quashed.