Shillong, June 19: The Meghalaya High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a man accused of assaulting his father-in-law with a screwdriver after the parties reached an amicable settlement and informed the court that they no longer wished to pursue the case.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere passed the order on June 17, allowing a petition jointly filed by Ulrich Jordan Mawlong, the accused, Dondor Jarain, who had lodged the FIR, and George Jarain, the injured party. Mawlong is the son-in-law of the victim, while the complainant is the victim’s brother.
The case originated from an incident on January 24, 2024, when a dispute broke out at the family residence. According to the complaint, Mawlong allegedly attacked his father-in-law with a screwdriver during the altercation, causing a lacerated injury to his right hand.
Following the incident, police registered an FIR at Sadar Police Station under Section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which pertains to voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means. The matter was pending before the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Shillong as G.R. Case No. 33(A) of 2026.
However, by the time the matter came up before the High Court, the parties had resolved their differences. All three individuals signed a deed of settlement, while the complainant and the injured party appeared before the court through video conferencing and confirmed their consent to have the case quashed.
Taking note of the simple nature of the injury, the familial relationship between the parties and the amicable settlement reached, the Chief Justice observed that there was no impediment to allowing the petition.
Accordingly, the court ordered that the FIR and the proceedings pending before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Shillong, be quashed and set aside, bringing the matter to an end.
