Delhi HC quashes voyeurism, stalking FIR against ice cream vendor

The Delhi High Court quashed a 2018 FIR against an ice cream vendor accused of voyeurism and stalking after a settlement with the complainant. The court noted continuing proceedings was futile and appreciated his gesture to serve police personnel

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR registered against an ice cream vendor for voyeurism and stalking based on a compromise between the parties and appreciated his “benevolent gesture” to give ice cream to all personnel at Model Town police station.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee observed that since there was a voluntary settlement in the matter, continuing the FIR, registered in 2018 against the petitioner would be an exercise in futility.

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“Accordingly, the present petition is allowed and FIR No.23/2018 dated 20.01.2018 registered at PS: Model Town under Sections 354(C)/354(D)/385/384 IPC and all proceedings emanating therefrom are hereby quashed,” the court said in the order passed on March 13.

“Since the petitioner is an ice cream vendor, as a benevolent gesture, he wishes to distribute ice cream to the whole staff/ personnel of PS: Model Town within a period of one week after coordinating with the investigating officer. This Court appreciates this gesture,” it noted.

The alleged victim said that pursuant to an agreement reached in January, the petitioner paid her a settlement amount of Rs 45,000. She said she is now married, has a child, and had no objection to the quashing of the FIR.

The court stated that although it was “mindful” that the present FIR was registered for alleged offences of voyeurism, stalking and extortion, “much water has flown since,” and the victim wanted to “move ahead in her new stable life.”