Delhi HC Rejects FIR Against Air Traveller Accused Of Staring At Woman In Flight

Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court recently dismissed a First Information Report (FIR) lodged against a man accused of persistently staring at a female passenger during an Indore-Delhi flight in 2024.

Acting on a settlement reached between the parties, Justice Ravinder Dudeja ordered the quashing of the FIR registered on May 29, 2024, under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code at the IGI Airport police station.

Background Of FIR

On May 28, 2024, a woman traveling from Indore to Delhi alleged that her co-passenger repeatedly stared at her throughout the flight, causing her significant discomfort. Upon landing, she promptly submitted a written complaint to the IGI Airport police, leading to the registration of an FIR under Section 509 IPC the very next day. Section 509 pertains to words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

Settlement Between The Parties

Advocate Sanjeev Malik appeared on behalf of the petitioner (the man accused). He informed the court that both parties had amicably resolved their differences and formalized a Settlement Agreement on December 16, 2024, with the assistance of mutual well-wishers.

A copy of this Agreement was placed on record during the proceedings.

Counsel for the complainant confirmed before the court that she and the petitioner had settled the matter without any force, fear, or coercion. She explicitly stated that she harbored no objection to quashing the FIR.

Court’s Decision To Quash The FIR

Considering the complete reconciliation and the precise circumstances, Justice Ravinder Dudeja observed that “no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the present FIR of 29.05.2024 under Section 509 of the IPC registered at Police Station (P.S.) IGI Airport, along with all the other consequential proceedings emanating therefrom.” Consequently, on May 30, 2025, he ordered the quashing of the FIR and all related proceedings.

The Additional Public Prosecutor for the State did not oppose the petition, noting that since the parties had settled, there was no reason to maintain the FIR or proceed with any charge-sheeted material.

Allegations & FIR Details

Date of Incident: May 28, 2024

Complaint Filed: May 29, 2024

Section Invoked: Section 509 IPC (pertaining to insults to a woman’s modesty)

Police Station: IGI Airport

The FIR alleged that the accused man “persistently stared” at the woman during the flight, an act she found distressing enough to involve law enforcement upon arrival in Delhi.

Settlement Agreement Highlights

Date of Settlement: December 16, 2024

Nature of Settlement: Amicable resolution facilitated by mutual acquaintances

While the precise financial or non-financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed in court, both parties affirmed there was no coercion or undue influence in reaching the settlement.

A signed copy of the Settlement Agreement was provided to the court for its records.

Given this resolution, the complainant’s counsel reiterated that she had no objections to discontinuing the legal process against the petitioner. In turn, the Additional Public Prosecutor confirmed the State would not contest the quashing request.

Next Step

All actions, including inquiry, investigation, and potential trial efforts relating to the FIR dated May 29, 2024, have ceased.

The accused will no longer face any criminal proceedings stemming from these allegations under Section 509 IPC.

The matter is effectively closed unless any party chooses to reopen based on new or disputed facts—an unlikely scenario given the documented settlement.

Significance Of The Ruling

This decision underscores the court’s recognition of out-of-court settlements in cases where the complainant voluntarily wishes to withdraw formal allegations. It highlights that, when disputes are genuinely resolved between parties, continued criminal prosecutions may no longer serve a public interest.

The Delhi High Court’s action in this instance reaffirms that legal recourse may yield to amicable resolutions, provided they are executed without any pressure or coercion.