Delhi HC Quashes Cross-FIR’s in Dog-Walking Dispute, Orders Neighbours to Donate to Animal Shelter [Read Order]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has quashed two cross-FIRs filed by neighbours after an altercation during a routine dog walk, observing that the quarrel escalated into an “unsavoury scuffle” over pet supervision, and directed both parties to donate to an animal shelter.

Justice Arun Monga delivered the judgment while disposing of the petitions, remarking that the case truly redefined the phrase “for the love of dogs!”

The court was hearing Criminal Miscellaneous Cases No. 5583/2025 and 5697/2025 filed by Ansh Jindal & Ors. and Kirti Chauhan & Ors. respectively, seeking quashing of FIR No. 70/2024 and FIR No. 71/2024, both dated February 19, 2024, registered at Police Station K.N. Katju Marg.

The FIRs, lodged under Sections 34, 323, 341, and 354 IPC, contained allegations of assault, intimidation, and misbehaviour from both sides. The court noted: “Both FIRs, arising out of the same incident on the same date, represent a version and counter-version of the dispute.”

The underlying cause was a disagreement over the handling and supervision of the parties’ respective pet dogs. The court observed: “The disagreement escalated during a routine dog-walk, leading to a heated altercation which further degenerated into an unsavoury scuffle.”

Counsel for the petitioners—Mr. Iqbal Singh, Mr. N.K. Sharma, Mr. Ravinder, Mr. Lalit, and Mr. Vinod Kumar Mangal—submitted that there was a serious misunderstanding which had since been amicably settled through an MOU/Settlement Deed dated February 1, 2025.

Relying on the Supreme Court judgment in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr. (2012) 10 SCC 303, they jointly urged that in view of the settlement, the FIRs and all consequential proceedings deserved to be quashed.

During the hearing, both parties appeared in person and confirmed that the dispute had been resolved. The court recorded: “They further affirmed, in unison and of their own free will, without any coercion or duress, that they do not wish to pursue the matter and consent to the quashing of the FIRs in question.”

Justice Monga emphasized that the dispute was essentially private in nature, arising from unnecessary differences between neighbours. “In such circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose and would rather amount to an abuse of the process of law,” the court observed, adding that quashing would “promote cordiality and bonhomie between the neighbours.”

Invoking its inherent powers under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the court allowed both petitions to prevent undue hardship and promote mutual goodwill.

However, the court directed both parties to make donations to an animal shelter: “The petitioners in both petitions, as part of the compromise and for the love of their pets, shall pay, within one week, a sum of Rs. 10,000/- each to the dog shelter maintained and run by ‘Unity for Stray Animal Foundation’.”

Case Title: Ansh Jindal & Ors. v. State of NCT of Delhi & Anr.

[Read Order]