Plant ten trees, take care of them for a decade: Delhi High Court while quashing FIR

The Delhi High Court recently ordered a group of people to plant ten trees and look after them for a decade while quashing a first information report (FIR) registered against them. .Justice Jasmeet Singh said that the trees shall be planted near their residence in consultation with the investigating officer concerned.The officer will inform the petitioners about the place for planting the trees in consultation with the Horticulture Department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)."The yearly status report of the plantation will be filed by the petitioners with photographs. The first status report shall be filed by the I.O. concerned within 6 weeks from today," the Court ordered. .The FIR was registered against a bunch of people in the year 2017 after a fight over petting pigs.The Delhi Police slapped several offences against the accused (petitioners) including the offences of outraging modesty of a woman, using criminal force with the intention of disrobing or compelling a woman to be naked, and criminal intimidation.Justice Singh was informed on February 21, 2023 that the parties have arrived at a settlement and they do not wish to pursue the matter any further. .After considering the facts, the Court noted that in the present matter, the police has not only investigated the case but even filed the chargesheet and judicial times had been wasted. "Considerable time of the police has also been wasted on issues which should not have escalated to this extent. In addition, valuable judicial time has also been wasted. Even though the parties have settled their disputes and quashing will put a quietus to the matter, the petitioners must do some social good," the Court underscored. It added that since the petitioners belong to a humble background, financial cost will not be imposed on them but they must plant the trees within four weeks. .Advocate KS Choudhary appeared for the petitioners. Additional Public Prosecutor Ajay Vikram Singh appeared for the STate. Advocate Shilankar Shakya appeared for other respondents. .[Read Order]