Karnataka High Court Brings Closure: IAF Officer's Road Rage Case Quashed After Amicable Bengaluru Settlement

A heated road rage incident that once gripped Bengaluru's attention has finally reached its peaceful conclusion. The Karnataka High Court recently intervened, quashing a criminal case against an Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander after both the accused officer and the complainant decided to resolve their differences amicably.

This pivotal decision, handed down by Justice M Nagaprasanna on April 24, 2024, underscores the judiciary's pragmatic approach to personal disputes when parties opt for reconciliation, avoiding prolonged legal battles.

The saga began in October 2023, near the bustling MG Road area of Bengaluru.

Wing Commander S P Abraham found himself embroiled in a dispute with Sachin N, a civilian, reportedly over a wrong-side driving infraction. What started as a verbal altercation on the road quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. Sachin N alleged that Abraham not only slapped him but also subjected him to verbal abuse.

This confrontation led to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the IAF officer under several stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Following the initial legal proceedings and the weight of the charges, both individuals demonstrated a commendable willingness to put the contentious event behind them.

Sachin N formally submitted an affidavit to the court, unequivocally stating his decision not to pursue the case further. This act of withdrawal and the mutual desire for peace paved the way for the High Court's intervention and ultimate decision.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, in his astute ruling, meticulously reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident and the subsequent settlement.

He observed that the core of the dispute was inherently personal in nature and had now been fully resolved by the involved parties outside of court. The judge asserted that continuing the criminal proceedings under such conditions would amount to a sheer "abuse of the process of law." To bolster his decision, Justice Nagaprasanna referenced the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Gian Singh v.

State of Punjab. This precedent provides crucial guidelines for quashing criminal proceedings where disputes are primarily civil or personal in nature and have been settled amicably, particularly in cases that do not involve grave moral turpitude or severe public interest.

This resolution highlights an increasingly common trend in the Indian legal system where courts, while steadfastly upholding justice, also proactively promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Such approaches save valuable judicial time, reduce the burden on the legal system, and foster harmony between individuals. For Wing Commander S P Abraham, the quashing of the case means he can move forward without the shadow of criminal charges and the stress of ongoing litigation. For Sachin N, it signifies a personal closure and the decision to move past a regrettable incident.

The case serves as a poignant reminder of how personal disagreements, even those leading to formal complaints, can often find a constructive resolution outside the protracted confines of a courtroom when parties are willing to engage in dialogue and seek common ground.