$~63 
*	IN  THE  HIGH  COURT  OF  DELHI  AT  NEW  DELHI
%					       Date of Decision: 10th February, 2026
+	CRL.M.C. 1136/2026 & CRL.M.A. 4496/2026
	PUNMEET KAUR@POONAM SETHI		          .....Petitioner
Through:	Mr. Parmesh Bali, Advocate along with petitioner-in-person 
				versus

	STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.			     .....Respondents
				Through:	Mr. Raj Kumar, APP for State/R-1
Mr. Sharique Hussain and Ms. Kirti Garg, Advocates for R-2

	CORAM:
	HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN
				J U D G M E N T (oral)
1. Petitioner seeks quashing of FIR No. 434/2018, registered at Police Station Punjabi Bagh for commission of offence under Section 135 of Indian Electricity Act (Amend.) 2003, along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom. 
2. Case pertains to theft of electricity and as per case of prosecution, when an inspection team of BSES officials visited the premises of Kothi No. 38/52, Basement, West Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi-110026 on 10.05.2018, no electricity meter was found installed at the basement and it was found to be a case of direct theft of electricity by illegal wire.  Further, the electricity was being used for non-domestic purpose and, resultantly, FIR was registered. 
3. According to petitioner, she was running a play-school in the basement and, though, inspection was carried out but she was not aware about the subsequent proceedings in the matter.  
4. According to her, matter had been amicably settled as the BSES had issued a ‘No Dues certificate’, once the entire settlement amount was deposited by the accused on 21.09.2022 and on 31.10.2022.  
5. Copy of such No Dues certificate has also been placed on record. 
6. Learned counsel for petitioner, in all fairness, admits that since petitioner was not aware about ongoing legal proceedings, petitioner was declared proclaimed offender by the learned Trial Court way back on 25.07.2022 but, fact remains that matter was amicably settled between the parties and final payment was made on 31.10.2022.  He submits that factum of her being declared proclaimed offender came to fore only when the charge-sheet was subsequently filed.  
7. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that he himself is appearing before the learned Trial Court and had taken a date to file appropriate petition seeking quashing of FIR. 
8. Learned counsel for respondent no. 2-BSES Rajdhani Power Limited are present on advance notice and admit that the matter has been amicably settled and settled amount has already been received by them, way back in the year 2022.  They submit that since nothing is now due and the entire payment has been made to the satisfaction of BSES, they would have no objection if FIR is quashed. 
9. Petitioner is in her fifties and is wheelchair-bound, on account of knee issues. 
10. Admittedly, the liability in question is, primarily, civil in nature.  Since matter has been settled, no purpose would be achieved by continuing with criminal proceedings. 
11. Accordingly, exercising inherent powers vested in this Court under Section 528 of the BNSS, it is deemed appropriate to quash the instant FIR.
12. Consequently, to secure ends of justice, FIR No. 434/2018, registered at Police Station Punjabi Bagh for commission of offence under Section 135 of Indian Electricity Act (Amend.) 2003, along with all consequential proceedings emanating therefrom, is hereby, quashed subject to petitioner depositing cost of Rs. 25,000/- with Delhi High Court Staff Welfare Fund [Account no. 15530110074442: IFSC UCBA0001553] within two weeks from today. 
13. Needless to say, since FIR and all the proceedings emanating from the said FIR have been quashed, order vide which petitioner had been declared proclaimed offender also stands set aside. 
14. Present petition stands disposed of in aforesaid terms. 
15. Pending application also stands disposed of in aforesaid terms. 
16. A copy of this order be sent to learned Trial Court for information and compliance. 

(MANOJ JAIN)                                                                                               JUDGE
FEBRUARY 10, 2026/dr/pb






CRL.M.C. 1136/2026                                                                                         1