Delhi High Court quashes FIR against BJP's Vijay Jolly booked for defacing house of Tehelka journalist Shoma Chaudhury

The Delhi High Court recently quashed a first information report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Jolly booked for defacing the house of former Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury..In an order passed on August 22, Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar quashed the FIR as well as all the proceedings emanating from it after noting that the matter has been settled between the parties.The Court quashed the proceedings against one Moolchand Sharma as well."Since the matter has been amicably settled between the parties, no useful purpose will be served by keeping the case pending. It will be nothing but abuse of the process of law. Consequentially, this petition is allowed and FIR No.521/2013, under Sections 143/149/341/427 IPC and Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, registered at Police Station-Saket, Delhi, and all proceedings emanating therefrom shall stand quashed,” Justice Bhatnagar ordered..Jolly had painted the word ‘accused’ on Chaudhary’s house in November 2013 soon after allegations came out against Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal that he had sexually assaulted a woman journalist. Jolly and some other people gathered outside Chaudhury’s house and alleged that she had tried to cover up the alleged crime.Police filed an FIR against him and others under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including rioting as well as provisions of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007.Jolly and Sharma filed the plea before the High Court stating that he was discharged of the offence under Section 3 of Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act. The Bench was also informed that the parties have reached a compromise and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed on July 24 as well.The State also gave its no objection to the quashing of the FIR in view of the settlement.The Court then proceeded to quash the FIR..Vijay Jolly and Moolchand Sharma were represented through advocate Yogesh Kaushik.Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Raghuinder Verma appeared for the State.Shoma Chaudhury appeared in person. .[Read Order]