FIR after Issue Settled by Competent Authority Amaresh Patel LANDMARK JUDGMENT Fri, May 28, 2021, at ,10:14 AM Title of the Case – FIR after Issue Settled by Competent Authority Name of the case – Saleem Ahmed vs. State & anr., Crl.A. No. 1244 of 2019 (@ SLP (Crl.) No. 8801 of 2018) Supreme CourtDate of Judgment – 19th August, 2019Judges: Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice R. Subhash ReddySubject and sections involved – Section 154 and section 482 of CrPC, 1973Issue: Whether filing of FIR after issue being settled by Lok Adalat is valid? Fact of the Case: Saleem Ahmed defaulted the payment of electricity bill and fined for the electricity theft of 97 thousands which was later settled by Lok Adalat at some 83 thousands.Despite the settlement of the case, BSES filed FIR against him. Being aggrieved by the registration of FIR, he filed a petition u/s 482 of CrPC, 1973, challenging the FIR as being bad in law.The High Court dismissed the petition, which has given rise to filing of the present appeal by way special leave by the appellant in the Supreme Court.Ratio of the case - The division bench of Supreme Court observed that once the dispute in relation to recovery of outstanding amount was finally settled between the parties amicably in Lok Adalat resulting in passing of the award in full and final satisfaction of the entire claim, there was neither any occasion and nor any basis to file FIR by the BSES in respect of the cause which was subject matter of an award. Quashing the FIR, the bench held that the filing of FIR after passing of the award by the Lok Adalat was wholly unjust and illegal and the same was not permissible being against the terms of the award and also for want for any subsisting cause of action arising out of demand.