Delhi HC Orders Feuding Neighbours To Serve Pizza And Buttermilk To Children As Community Service [Read Order]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has quashed criminal cases against warring neighbours with an innovative condition — requiring them to jointly serve pizzas and buttermilk to children and staff at a government-run childcare institution as community service.

Justice Arun Monga delivered the unique order in two petitions seeking quashing of cross-FIRs filed by neighbours following a dispute over the handling of their respective pets.

The case involved two FIRs — No. 220/2025 and No. 221/2025, both dated May 5, 2025, registered at Police Station Mansarovar Park under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIRs arose from “a heated altercation that degenerated into an unsavoury scuffle, with each side alleging assault, intimidation, and misbehaviour against the other.”

The parties later resolved their differences through a settlement deed dated July 1, 2025, and approached the court seeking quashing of both FIRs. Upon interaction with the parties present in court, Justice Monga found that “the underlying dispute, being private in nature, has indeed been amicably resolved” and the parties affirmed “of their own free will and without any coercion or duress that they do not wish to pursue the matter.”

The court noted that one complainant was in the business of baking and selling pizzas while the other was also “a respectable citizen.” Justice Monga observed that continuation of criminal proceedings “would serve no useful purpose and would rather amount to an abuse of the process of law” and could “rekindle hostility, whereas quashing the same would promote cordiality and bonhomie between the neighbours.”

However, instead of simply quashing the FIRs, Justice Monga imposed a creative condition for community service. The court directed: “Both the complainants in the two FIRs are directed to join hands and jointly bear the expenses, which shall be incurred for providing Amul Chaach Tetra Pack along with Mix Vegetable Pizzas to the inmates who are currently residing at Sanskar Ashram, near G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi.”

The order specified that “each inmate and the attendants and other staff of the Ashram shall be served one pizza along with an Amul Chaach Tetra Pack.” The pizzas are to be baked by the complainant who runs the pizza business, making the community service a collaborative effort between both parties.

Justice Monga explained the rationale: “It is thus deemed just and appropriate to invoke the inherent powers of this Court under Section 528 of the BNSS to prevent undue hardship to the parties and promote mutual goodwill and societal harmony.”

The court’s attention to detail was evident in its final directions. Justice Monga noted: “Soft copy of the menu has been forwarded on the WhatsApp of the I.O., who will ensure that quality of the pizza is the same as has been stated in the menu,” ensuring the charitable service meets appropriate standards.

Case Title: Arvind Kumar and Others vs. The State and Another

[Read Order]